The NACRA Online Resource Library is a complimentary service provided by NACRA to both the public and the media, interested in the issue of credit responsibility, accuracy and advocacy. We encourage you to share with others the benefits of this service and our membership.

Money Management Software
As part of NACRA’s “Credit and Financial – Direction and Protection”, we recommend using a FREE money management software provided by Mint.com to help you manage your personal finances.

How do you keep your business afloat if you are under-capitalized? (for small business owners)

Why you should make sure your credit is as healthy as your patients? (for self-employed doctors)

“Credit Scoring”
This article goes into great depth regarding credit scores. It explains all one would need to know about credit scores

“8 Secret Scores That Lenders Keep"
This article reviews all the different types of credit scores there are that either increase or decrease a person’s credit score. It describes how credit card issuers view these scores, and in turn, determine what type of credit card offer to offer you.  

“Most Consumers Do Not Understand Credit Card Scores According to a News Comprehensive Study”
This article describes the importance of knowing what credit scores measure, what good and bad scores are and how scores can be improved.

“Fair Isaac’s Reaction to Vantage Score System”
The information in this article was provided by a Fair Isaac employee and provides answers to the most common questions directed to Fair Isaac employees regarding the new credit risk score, VantageScore.

“New Credit Scoring System Not Likely to be Successful”
This is an opinion piece stating the positives and negatives of the new VantageScore system.

“’Free’ Credit Reports Sometimes Aren’t Free”
This article is about all the free credit reports available on the Web, which ones are reliable and which ones are simply ploys to get you to purchase a credit monitoring service.

“Credit Bureaus Adopt Unified ‘Data Protection’ Standard”
The three major credit agencies have adopted a new “data protection standard” involving an encryption system. This system is designed to ensure the safety of consumer information transmitted from lenders to credit bureaus, therein preventing identity theft.

“Mistakes Do Happen: A Look at Errors in Consumer Credit Reports”
This is a report detailing some of the inaccuracies found in credit reports, who can make those mistakes and recommendations on how to prevent and correct inaccurate information before it causes problems.

“Consumer Credit File Rights Under State and Federal Law”
This discusses consumer’s rights in regards to their credit reports.

“Fair Credit Reporting Act Update”
This article explains the rights people have when dealing with credit history and credit reports. Topics highlighted include correcting errors in your credit report, information in your credit report and access to your credit report.

“The Fair Credit Reporting Act”
This is the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FRCA) as prepared by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). It is intended only as a convenience for the public and not a substitute for the text in the U.S. Code.

“Consumer Lawsuits Against Credit Bureaus Are Multiplying”
With more people checking their credit reports for fear of identity theft, the nation’s top three credit bureaus have come under much scrutiny lately. This article is about how consumers are alleging the bureaus are engaging in practices that artificially lower their credit scores, and in addition, are ignoring pleas to remove inaccurate information from the reports.

“Lawsuit Challenges Credit Bureaus’ Fairness”
A lawsuit filed in 2006 charges the three national bureaus of not using ‘reasonable procedures to assume maximum accuracy of information in consumer credit reports’. The three suits are explained in further detail.

“Why you should never dispute credit errors online”
One important factor you have on your side when disputing a credit report item is time. By law, the credit bureaus have 30 days within receipt of a dispute to properly investigate your claim.  Read why by using the credit bureaus online dispute system (E‐OSCAR) you will put yourself at a big disadvantage.

“Debt Validation: The Ultimate Weapon Against the Collection Agencies”
This article explains how a collection company works and what they legally need to provide to you as the debtor. Provided are explanations of technicalities, different situations and solutions that can occur with the collection process.

“A Big Lender’s Credit Card Trap”
This article goes into depth regarding credit card issuer, Capital One Financial’s, unsavory business practices. Four different individuals describe their experiences with Capital One, while multiple industry experts weigh in on how Capital One’s strategies negatively affect their customers.

“How To Settle Your Debts Without Committing Financial Suicide”
 This is a book written to educate and assist businesses and people that are unable to pay, or who have valid reasons for not paying, their debts. It’s a ‘survival guide’ for those faced with being deeply in debt.

Public Citizen Wins Case and Strengthens Protections for Consumers
July 9, 2008. Debt Collectors Cannot Blame Their Mistakes on Creditors, Federal Appeals Court Rules.

“Here are 16 Steps to Protect Yourself and Six Ways to Clean Up Things if You Are a Victim of Identity Theft”
Explained are the ways your identity can be at risk, tips to protect yourself and steps on how to deal with identity theft if it happens to you.

“FTC Under Fire as Credit Bureaus Sell Consumers’ Data”
“Trigger Lists”, used by lenders to contact people who recently filled out a loan application, are defined and explained. Included is criticism of how the FTC handled the many complaints regarding “trigger lists” and how they are used.

“Measuring Identity Theft at Top Banks (Version 1.5)”
There is no reliable way for consumers, regulators, and businesses to assess the relative rates of identity fraud at major financial institutions. This lack of information prevents a consumer market for bank safety from emerging. As part of a multiple strategy approach to obtaining more actionable data on identity theft, the Freedom of Information Act was used to obtain complaint data submitted by victims in 2006 to the Federal Trade Commission. Read the entire report authored by Chris Hoofnagle of the University of California, Berkeley.

“Think You’re Ready to Buy a Home?”
This is a yearly step-by-step guide to buying a home. From 12 months, six months, three months and two months out what preparations should be made in the house shopping/purchasing process.

“How to Rent Out Your House”
This article goes into depth regarding renting out a home. It highlights the questions to ask if you are considering it, how to begin, what the laws are for landlords and tenants and maintenance on the property, among others.

“10 Market Predictions for a Glum ‘08”
The author, Jon Markman, makes 10 financial predictions for 2008, which include Bank bankruptcy, Banking bargains, Food rules, Credit crunch, the sequel, Default swap snafu, Alternative lifestyles, Submerging markets, Dow bow and A pledge. He believes this year will be a year of stock upheavals, especially in banking, but with great bargains along the way.

‘It's Time for a Credit Card Revolution”
This article explains why and what credit card companies are currently charging cardholders for late fees. There is a section that highlights how this situation wasn't always in effect. Another section then proposes various alternatives that would allow for more cardholder forgiveness and the benefits of it.