Credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion)

Federal government

Consumer Financial Protection Board (CFPB)

Lenders

Checking your credit card or loan statement

Talking to a non-profit counselor

Checking creditkarma.com

Getting a score from myFICO.com

Salary of your current job

Payment history of your car loan

Credit card payment history

Student loan activity

Other:

It can potentially lower your credit score by reducing your available credit

It will always increase your credit score

It will automatically remove any negative marks on your credit report

It has no impact on your credit score

Use less than 30% of the credit limit and pay it off in full every month by the due date

Always carry a balance from month to month

Regardless of how much your balance is, make the minimum payment required on your credit card every month by the due date

Put the credit card in a drawer instead and don't ever use it

Only consumers with high scores are approved for credit

Consumers with low scores get lower interest rates on loans than those with high scores

Your credit score can determine whether you are approved for a loan and what the interest rate on that loan will be

It generally has no impact on your financial situation

Joanie says, "Call the auto lender and see if you can negotiate a lower monthly payment or some other deal."

Debbie says, "Stop making the credit card payment for a few months until you're caught up on the auto loan."

Angie says, "Pick up a second job for as long as it takes to accumulate enough money to make all your payments, even if it means losing time with friends and family."

Betty says, "Cut down to a bare bones budget, where your necessities and your debt repayments take first priority. Cut everything non-essential."