Posted on June - 25 - 2011
You have probably heard about credit scores, but you may not have heard about insurance credit scores? These are scores built on credit report data for the insurance industry to predict whether or not a policyholder will file a claim on their auto or property insurance. There are separate scores for each type of the aforementioned insurance.
Some consumers don’t understand how credit behavior can predict whether you will file a claim on your home or car. One explanation is if you are careless in handling your finances, you may be the same with the way you drive a car or take care of your home. Regardless of why it’s predictive, it has been proven to be, in fact, predictive.
This is the eternal battle between consumer groups, politicians and the insurance industry. Just because you can’t understand WHY something is predictive of insurance risk certainly doesn’t mean it isn’t predictive. I had a recent meeting with an investor group who was working with apany that was modeling musical choices and social media activity into risk scoring systems. In July 2007 t
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Posted on June - 25 - 2011
Q: I’m a Citi card owner and I’m worried that my account information was hacked in the recent security breach. How do I know if my account was illegally accessed?
A: To give some brief background, Citi’s servers were hacked in mid May. Like Sony, whose PlayStation Network was hacked, Citi did not disclose the information right away, which caused some outrage and criticism. According to Sony, about 1% of its users’ account information was accessed, which led analysts to believe initially that about 200,000 accounts were hacked. Citi later divulged that about 360,000 were hacked, but many of these included redundant information or accounts that were already closed.
Unlike with the PlayStation Network attack, Citi seemed to know exactly which accounts were breached, and has announced that they will send new cards to those 217,000 members who were affected. If you
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Posted on June - 24 - 2011
I want to transfer my 7,000 credit card debt to one offering a 0% balance transfer so I can get it paid off more quickly. Although my credit rating is coming up as good, I keep being refused.
I am a single parent earning around 15,500 a year. I have only applied for one card in the past six months.
Do you have any ideas as to why my applications keep being declined? D.W., Birmingham
Simon Moon from This is Money replies:
I put your question to credit card industry expert David Black, principal consultant (banking) at financial research company Defaqto, who suggested you may simply be a victim of the credit crunch.
Apparently one major card supplier is declining half of all the applications it receives and he believes the decline rate may be even higher elsewhere.
Black says reasons for refusal could be other debts outstanding or the fact that you might not have been in your job for long.
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Posted on June - 24 - 2011
The Discover Business Card is a rewards card designed especially to reward businesses for their purchases on gas and office supply purchases, plus more rewards on every purchase you make. The card offers 0% on purchases and there is no annual fee.
- Earn 5% Cashback Bonus on office supplies, 2% on gas, and up to 1% on all other card purchases
- Free Employee Cards with real-time customizable spending limits
- Complete fraud protection with a $0 fraud liability guarantee and 24/7 fraud monitoring
- 5% to 20% Cashback Bonus through our exclusive online shopping mall
- Up to 1% Unlimited Cashback Bonus on all other purchases
The Discover Business Card offers a 0% introductory rate on purchases until November 2011. After that the rate will be between 12.99% – 19.99% based on your creditworthiness. T
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Posted on June - 24 - 2011
Personal loans are fast, flexible, and practical. These loans can be used in a number of different and unrestricted ways from fixing your home to paying for your dream wedding. Unlike other loans, such as home loans, lenders rarely dictate how the funds from a personal loan should be used.
In addition, borrowers do not have to provide collateral in order to obtain a personal loan. Not offering up your home or other asset in exchange for a loan often provides peace of mind.
These are the main reasons why personal loans are in high demand all across the world. While beneficial in a number of ways, there are just a few things to keep in mind when considering if a personal loan is right for you.
Things to Keep in Mind
As a general rule of thumb, personal loans are given to people who have good credit.
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Posted on June - 23 - 2011
Looking for a way to earn mileage rewards faster? The Capital One Venture card may be just the ticket! Capital One has announced that when you are approved for a new Venture credit card it will match up to 100,000 miles you’ve already earned with another airline credit card rewards program.
The new program is called the “Venture Match My Miles Challenge,” and it’s for a limited time only.
The process to gain the matching miles is simple. Apply for the Capital One Venture Rewards credit card. When you are approved, go online to register. Submit a document proving your airline miles earned with your other airline rewards card. Spend $1000 during the first three months you have your Venture card, and Capital One will match your miles. Plus, y
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