SENTINEL^TM by IDSTRONG

When the pandemic hit in 2020, our world became chaotic overnight. Throughout the nation, individuals were met with layoffs or stringent checks—pushing the financials of families to their breaking points.

A lot of scams float around the internet that some people jump at or take a little coaxing to overcome the rejections. A few scams have ready-made targets more than willing to take advantage of the possibilities the scam offers.

Every industry has inflection points; some are massive, and others are small but very significant. In 1728, the Royal Bank Of Scotland gave a merchant, William Hog, the world's first overdraft.

Debt is most often referred to as an amount of money owed to another person. However, debt can be anything of value to the borrower.

The idea of insuring loans against non-payment was first developed in the nineteenth century. However, the companies that wrote these policies were short-lived.

Forgiving debt is a global phenomenon, from single credit cards to billions in government relief. Debt forgiveness has been part of the narrative for generations.

Building a great credit file takes time, and making the right choices when starting out. The best way to get started is to choose the right credit card.

We gather a few numbers and information throughout our lifetimes that must be protected at all costs. A social security number is the first and most crucial piece of information we use in every area of our lives.

Creditors have several ways to collect bad debts from people who do not pay their bills. One of the last and most harsh options is wage and bank account garnishment.

Credit profiles are a significant part of everyday life for business and personal. The long, fascinating, and twisted history of financial scores, claims to encapsulate a person's attitude toward credit and debt.

It's no secret that having bad credit can make it harder to get approved for a credit card. But what if you need a credit card to help improve your credit score?

A credit score is an invisible number, yet it often feels like it controls our lives. It determines what we can buy and how much we'll have to pay.

It's no secret that banks operate on risk versus reward policies. Money lenders impose corresponding penalties on the loan conditions if an individual or group is likely to default on it.

A credit score is an important measure of an individual's creditworthiness and is relied upon by many parties. Banks, lenders, car dealers, landlords, and even potential employers may require pulling your credit before proceeding with key steps.

A credit score is a number associated with your personal money management history. Each adult who has had a credit card, a loan, or a bank account usually has a credit score.

Your credit report is a reflection of your financial health. It's essential to understand your credit report to manage your financial health.

Two types of credit scores exist that determine whether someone is creditworthy. FICO Score and VantageScore both use a credit range of 300 to 850.

Credit is an essential part of your life whenever you need financing for important things like loans, cars, and houses. Therefore, every American should understand what credit restoration is and how it works. 

What is the Fair Credit Reporting Act? The federal government enacted this consumer protection law to regulate the collection, use, and distribution of information about an individual's personal finances.

 There are plenty of people who choose not to use credit cards. But just because you don't have or use credit cards, don't underestimate the cunning of identity thieves.

In life, your credit file and creditworthiness is very important, whether or not you realize it. Every time you apply for a credit card, mortgage, loan, or any type of financing, your credit score, creditworthiness, and other factors come into play.

 Good credit is an important thing in life. You can't apply for credit cards, loans, or a mortgage without it. Therefore, it is critical to know at all times the state of your credit report and to make sure there aren't any errors on it.

Your credit report is an important piece of the puzzle when you apply for credit cards, a loan, or a mortgage. If there are errors in yours that misrepresent your financial situation, it could result in a denial of credit.

Equifax is one of the three big agencies that manage credit reports and credit scores for the world. They manage about 800 million consumer records and 88 million business files.

 In the U.S., there are three major credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian), and they collect data about your open accounts, credit history, and overall creditworthiness.

Many Americans struggle to make ends meet, and when it comes time to apply for credit cards, loans, or a mortgage, their credit report comes into play.

Let's face it, the world revolves around credit these days, and if you have bad or no credit, you will have a hard time qualifying for a mortgage, getting a loan, or even applying for credit cards.

If you live in the U.S. and have ever had a credit card, loan, mortgage, student financing, or bought a car, you have a credit report.

The terms credit report and consumer reports may sound similar, but they are actually very different things. Credit reports are more common versus consumer reports, which are more rare.

You are probably aware that the world runs on credit these days, and your credit score is a big factor when lenders consider approving you for credit cards, loans, or a mortgage. 

If you want to manage your finances and be prepared to apply for a loan, buy a car, get a mortgage, or sign up for insurance, you will need a copy of your credit report.

Tax fraud is when a person or company falsified information on their tax return to avoid paying taxes. Tax fraud can also apply to not filing tax returns to avoid paying.

To apply for a mortgage, credit card, or other types of financing, you need a credit score. There are three major credit bureaus in the U.S., Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.

With data breaches, ransomware, and identity theft knocking at the door, you need all the help you can get to stay safe. A fraud alert is another layer of protection you can add to your credit information to keep the bad guys away. 

It seems like we hear about another data breach daily on the news. These days consumers must do all they can to protect their identity and prevent fraud on their credit or bank accounts.

In the past ten years, there have been numerous data breaches of big companies like Anthem, Home Depot, Target, Capital One, Chili's, Facebook, Google, and others.

With data breaches, ransomware, and identity theft on the rise, consumers must put in an extra effort to keep their credit safe these days.

Good credit allows you access to various financial products at lower interest rates. It makes you eligible for loans, credit card deals, and insurance policies, among other perks at favorable terms. 

No one wants to go bankrupt, but when you get in over your head and can't see a way out, sometimes there is no choice. Bankruptcy is a process where the federal courts allow you to reduce or eliminate your personal or business debts.

Unfortunately, in life, it is critical to have a good credit score to qualify for a mortgage, apply for a loan, or get credit cards.

If you have never had a credit card, loan, or mortgage, you may not have any credit. Or you may have established a credit history, but then ran into some financial troubles, and your credit suffered some blows.

With all our technology and connectedness comes a price, vulnerability. Now more than ever before, our credit and identities are at risk from cybercriminals, thieves, and hackers.

Buying your own home is the American Dream, but it might seem out of reach to those with bad credit. However, the good news is, if your credit is less than perfect, you do still have options and in most cases, can still buy a home.