by  Philip Taylor PT 

This guide is designed to support financial literacy, the "knowledge of basic economic and financial concepts, as well as the ability to use that knowledge and other financial skills to manage financial resources effectively for a lifetime of financial well-being." (Hung, Parker, and Yoong)

How is my credit score calculated?

According to Experian, the elements from your credit report that shape your credit scores are called credit score factors. Some factors that may affect credit scores are:

• Your total debt

• Types of accounts

• Number of late payments

• Age of accounts

How Can I Check My Credit Report?

You can check your reports for free once ever twelve months at Annual Credit Report.com provided by the three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. There are a number of other websites with similar names that purport to give you free access to your credit report, but Annual Credit Report.com is the only one federally authorized by federal law.

How do I dispute an error on my credit report?

If you identify an error on your credit report, there is a process to correct the information. The FTC's Disputing Errors on Credit Reports details the process, which includes contacting both the credit bureau, and the person, company and organization that is providing the information to the credit bureau.

Can a landlord legally check my credit as part of a rental application?

According to the Tenants Union of Washington State, landlords are permitted to use credit reports as part of the screening process (as long as they're done in a conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner), and to charge a screening fee. Applicants are entitled to a copy of the credit report. While tenants can provide a copy of their credit report, but landlords needn't accept it as a substitute.

The Tenants Union of Washington State's on Tenant Screening webpage contains further useful details.