(ARA) - With the economy reeling and home loan rates at a nine-month high, lenders are scrutinizing everyone’s credit history like never before. Yet, many Americans don’t realize the impact of late payments on their credit score and their finances.

Improving your credit score (CNN Money)
Lenders are boosting the credit scores they require to lend consumers money.

Mistakes on your credit score? (KVII 7 Amarillo)
Your credit score affects your ability to get a loan and what kind of interest rate you’re given, but if there are mistkes on your credit report, that can drastically change your score.

Credit Karma Credit Score Simulator Wins Best in Show at Finovate 2008 (Marketwire via Yahoo! Finance)
Credit Karma, the free and easy way to access, improve and leverage your credit, today announced that its new Credit Score Simulator was awarded Best of Show honors at last week’s Finovate 2008 conference in New York.

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