The
Credit Handbook
From the Office of
Minnesota Attorney General
Lori Swanson
www.ag.state.mn.us
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The Attorney General’s Office answers questions about consumer issues. If you have a consumer
question or complaint, contact the Attorney General’s Office in writing, by phone, or check out our
website:
Minnesota Attorney General’s Office
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 1400
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 296-3353 or 1-800-657-3787
TTY: (651) 297-7206 or 1-800-366-4812
(TTY numbers are for callers using teletypewriter devices.)
www.ag.state.mn.us
The Credit Handbook is written and published by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.
This edition was published in March 2007.
The Attorney General’s Office is an equal opportunity employer who values diversity.
The Credit Handbook
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Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 5
Chapter 1: The ABCs of Credit ............................................................................................................... 6
The Case for Credit Cards ................................................................................................................. 6
There are Disadvantages, Too ........................................................................................................... 7
Chapter 2: How to Get Credit .................................................................................................................. 8
Where Do I Start? .............................................................................................................................. 8
What’s My Credit Score? .................................................................................................................. 8
What if I Get Turned Down? .............................................................................................................. 9
Co-Signers Can Help .........................................................................