What is the FICO score?
The number lenders actually look at — what it means and what moves it.
Credit repair tips & videos
Straight answers to the questions we hear most — in short, plain-English videos from San Diego credit expert Mel Zadeh. No jargon, no sales pitch, just the basics that help you make smart decisions about your credit.
Credit basics
Understanding your credit
Why is my score different at each bureau?
Why Equifax, Experian and TransUnion can each show a different number.
Is it expensive to fix my credit?
What credit repair really costs — and how honest pricing should look.
Choosing help & getting started
Working with a credit company
What makes a good credit company?
How to tell an honest credit-repair company from the scams.
How do credit repair companies charge?
How pricing works — and why you should never pay for results you haven't seen.
When should I start my credit repair?
The best time to begin — and why waiting can cost you.
Building credit
Tradelines & building your score
What is a tradeline?
What tradelines are and how they affect your credit profile.
Authorized-user accounts & tradelines
How an authorized-user account can help build your credit the right way.
Have a question about your own credit?
Get a free, no-pressure review with Mel — and real answers for your situation.