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Experian’s “Ask Experian” credit advice column
Ask Experian is the credit reporting industry’s first online consumer credit advice column.

• Credit scores aren’t affected by who closed the account
  

  What looks better on my credit report, closing a credit card account myself or the credit card company closing my account?

• Military personnel can add an Active Duty Alert
  

  As a member of the Army currently overseas, what can I do to protect my credit? I heard something about placing an "active duty alert" on my credit that only allows credit to be opened if I directly approve.

• Girlfriend stuck with motorcycle debt when boyfriend ends relationship
  

  My daughter was talked into purchasing a motorcycle for a friend of hers and now he doesn't want it and is thinking of dumping my daughter. If she voluntarily returns the motorcycle to the dealer, will her credit be ruined, and if so, for how long? If she is not able to pay a deficiency, will a judgment against her affect her credit?

• Defining charged off, written off and transferred
  

  What are the definitions of charged off, written off and transferred?