TrueCredit.com Champions 'Gold Medal' Consumer Credit Behavior

Leading Credit Monitoring Website Provides Five Easy Tips to Help
Better Manage Your Finances
CHICAGO--(Business Wire)--
Every four years, the Summer Games give athletes the opportunity
to showcase their elite skills to the entire world in hopes of
attaining the dream prize-the gold medal. While only a select few
achieve that honor, virtually anyone can reach 'gold medal' status
when it comes to their credit behavior, thanks to easy tips from
TrueCredit.com.

According to Trend Data from TransUnion, the national average
credit card debt is $1,694 per borrower, 5.6 percent higher than last
year. But many consumers may not realize how credit card debt and
other factors impact their overall financial status.

"Actively working to maintain a good credit score is the
foundation for creating a positive financial outlook, and the best
time to start is now," said Lucy Duni, vice president of Consumer
Education at TransUnion's TrueCredit.com. "By training themselves to
follow a few simple guidelines, consumers can rise to the top of their
credit game and compete more effectively for the ultimate credit prize
- low interest rates."

TrueCredit.com helps consumers better manage their finances by
providing five easy tips for gold medal credit behavior.

1. Pay your bills on time, every month, no exceptions.

Mark your calendar, make yourself an appointment in Outlook, or
set an alarm on your cell phone. Just make sure you don't miss a
payment due date, even if you can only pay the minimum amount due.

2. Keep your balances at or below 35 percent of your limits.

Lenders evaluate you, in part, based on how much of your available
credit you're using. So, if you allow your credit card balances to
creep up toward their limits, you may be less likely to get approved
for a loan at a competitive rate.

3. Monitor your credit reports regularly, like you would monitor
your health.

Much like your physical health, regular credit health "check-ups"
can help you remain in good financial shape down the road. Keeping a
close watch on your three credit reports and scores throughout the
year via a credit monitoring service can provide you with insight into
how lenders are likely to view your credit standing at any point in
time. Given the continued prevalence of identity theft, keeping tabs
on changes and accuracy can also help you detect potential signs of
fraud.

4. Keep tabs on any lease or loan where you're the co-signer.

Think twice before you co-sign for a relative, loved-one or
roommate. When you open a joint account or co-sign on a loan, you are
taking on legal responsibility for the account. Any activity on these
shared accounts, good or bad, will be reflected in both credit
reports.

5. Think twice before closing a longstanding credit card account.

Canceling old credit accounts can lower your credit score by
making your credit history appear shorter. It may also increase how
much of your available credit you're utilizing.

With the help of these tips, now is the time for consumers to go
for the gold when it comes to credit management. Unlike the Summer
Games, this is one competition where every person - regardless of past
performance - can and should participate. To learn more about managing
credit, visit TrueCredit.com.

About TrueCredit.com

Since 1999, TransUnion's TrueCredit.com has helped millions of
consumers manage their own credit health. Through a suite of
educational materials, free monthly newsletters and easy-to-use
products, the company helps consumers understand personal credit
management and empowers them to achieve greater financial well-being.
TrueCredit.com's online products include credit reports, credit and
insurance scores, credit monitoring, debt management tools and
identity theft insurance services. TrueCredit.com is the
direct-to-consumer arm of Chicago-based TransUnion Interactive, a
subsidiary of TransUnion, a global leader in credit and information
management. Manage your credit. Manage your life.(SM)
www.truecredit.com

TransUnion's Trend Data database

The source of the underlying data used for this analysis is
TransUnion's Trend Data, a one-of-a-kind database consisting of 27
million anonymous consumer records randomly sampled every quarter from
TransUnion's national consumer credit database. Each record contains
more than 200 credit variables that illustrate consumer credit usage
and performance. Since 1992, TransUnion has been aggregating this
information at the county, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), state
and national levels.

Editor's Note: for more information or to schedule an interview
with Lucy Duni, contact Steven Katz, TransUnion, at 312.985.2373
(skatz@transunion.com) or Aimee Eichelberger, CKPR at 312.568.7324
(aeichelberger@c-k.com).

for TrueCredit.com
Steven Katz
skatz@transunion.com
312.985.2373
or
Aimee Eichelberger
aeichelberger@c-k.com
312.568.7324

Copyright Business Wire 2008