Everyone's talking about the new credit score called the VantageScore(sm).

What is it? How do I get it?

The 3 national credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union) have recently announced a joint venture to produce a new credit score for businesses and consumers called the VantageScore (sm). The three credit bureaus compete with each other in providing credit report and associated products to consumers and businesses alike. The VantageScore (sm) marks the first time the three systems have joined forces to produce a scoring model that scores consumers across all three companies.

Check out VANTAGESCORE at the links below:

http://www.creditreporting.com/vantagescore.html
http://www.vantagescore.com/

• Some debit cards charge a service fee every time you select "debit" at the register and enter a PIN.  Look for cards without this charge, or choose the "credit" option and sign for your purchases instead.
• Purchases won't always be rejected if you don't have enough money in your account.  You may be charged a "courtesy" overdraft fee.
• Some debit cards don't offer the same fraud protection as credit cards, so be sure to check on what protections your debit card offers.
• Debit cards don't build a positive credit record.  Use your credit card to do that, and pay off the balance monthly.