How to Repair a Poor Credit Report
Credit theft and bad credit are an epidemic. You can repair your credit report using many simple tools. The one thing you will need is determination. Credit Bureaus don't want to fix your credit, you have to force them to.

• HOW'S YOUR CREDIT RATING?
  When you are facing collection agencies, credit turndowns, inaccurate credit bureau information, bankruptcy, there are many services which can help. Start here by obtaining your credit bureau report so you can see exactly what is being said about you.
• The price you will pay
  Searching the Internet will give you a good idea of what types of credit card companies will deal with bad credit. Companies like Capital One, Orchard Bank, Providian Financial and even Citibank have plans to help you get back on your feet again.

The National Consumer Law Center and the Project on Student Debt have launched a joint website that offerers information for student borrowers who are behind on their loans, or those who just want to learn more about their options.

In only a few clicks we learned something that we didn't know: Some states will suspend your professional or vocational license if you default on your student debt. Some professions that may be affected: Attorneys, health care professionals, teachers, insurance professionals, state officers, and commercial fishermen.

This looks like a great resource.

"I am 19, and have never owned a credit card, only debit cards. I have had a 47.50 (or so) debt in the past due to a large overdue fine to a Hollywood Video. I took my sweet time in paying that off and now after one credit card refusal, I expect that it has damaged my otherwise non-existent (to my knowledge) credit score, which (if I understand things right) puts me in a heck of a hole. How do I get out of it? I'm assuming that not building any credit, then going into debt just messed me up and I need to know how to get things right, but if I can't get a card, how can I get good credit? This is a really unpleasant situation, especially with Christmas coming around.

Any tips you guys have for me would be tons of help, I rely on you guys for all my consumer-related stuff!

Thanks a lot,

Brian"

Since you're just guessing about your credit report, you should actually check it: Annualcreditreport.com
Ohio Attorney General, Mark Dunn, is suing Citibank-affiliated credit card marketers for violating Ohio's consumer protection laws during a "Free Burrito" event at Ohio State University.

Fliers pasted around Ohio State's campus offered students a "free burrito" for showing their Ohio State ID at the restaurant. The fliers made no mention that filling out a credit card application was required. Ohio is arguing that this violates the definition of "free" in Ohio's consumer protection laws because the terms of the offer were not disclosed on the fliers.

Similar fliers were posted luring students to Potbelly Sandwich Works. Delicious, but deceptive.

When you're cleaning out your purse or wallet this week, make sure to save your education related receipts because, depending on your situation, you may be eligible for some spiffy tax breaks in April.

"The start of the school year is a good time to remind parents, students and teachers to save all receipts related to tax-advantaged education expenses," said IRS Acting Commissioner Linda Stiff. "Good recordkeeping makes sense because it can help avoid missing a deduction or credit at tax time."

We'd just like to point out the awesomeness of someone called "Stiff" running the IRS.

Anyhow, to learn more about education related tax deductions and credits, check out IRS publication 970. No, it's not the most awesomely compelling literature you'll ever read, but it might save you some money.

BusinessWeek has been examining one of the fastest-growing segments of credit card debtors, college students. Last week, they profiled a young man from the University of Pittsburgh who was recruited by a Citibank rep, at his university's student union building, According to Consumer Reports' Blog, the number of fires in campus housing has risen dramatically over the past few years—from 1,800 fires in