Do you know the difference between 550 and 780? Yes, they’re 230 digits apart, but they’re also examples of bad and good credit scores, respectively.

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If you don’t check yours regularly, now’s the time to start. Small mistakes are a lot more common than you think, and they can do some serious damage to your credit score. I’ll let you in on some of the most common credit report mistakes and what you can do to fix them.

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Step 1: Get your free credit report

The three credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Experian and Equifax) are required by law to provide you with one free credit report a year. Sweet. There are a few ways you can request a copy from each agency.

Online is the fastest route. If you submit a request via phone or mail, expect to wait two weeks after the paperwork is received.

• Online: www.AnnualCreditReport.com
• Phone: 877-FACTACT (877-322-8228)
• Mail: Download and complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form. Send it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

Pro tip: Grab your report from the fourth credit bureau, Innovis, too.

Step 2: Look for the most common mistakes

Typos or wrong info: Anything from your name spelled incorrectly to your address or your birthdate off by one number. Tiny mistakes can mix up your credit with someone else’s.

Accounts you don’t recognize: If you see something you don’t recognize, don’t ignore it! This includes credit cards you never applied for, loans in your name or purchases you didn’t make.

Duplicates: It’s not normal to see a debt twice on a credit report. This includes things like the same collection account, transferred debts showing as separate accounts or paid-off debts still sitting there.

Incorrect account info: Sometimes, payments can mistakenly show up as late, or closed accounts may still show as active. Other times, reports may show the wrong credit limit or mess up your payment history.

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Outdated info: Bankruptcies older than 10 years, late payments older than seven years and outdated collections accounts should not be showing on your credit report.

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Step 3: Report anything strange

Don’t panic! Write down and make copies of anything that looks off, then file a dispute with the credit reporting company by mail, phone or online.

If you’re filing online or by mail, explain in writing exactly what’s wrong and why, and include copies of documents with proof. Make sure to include your contact info, credit report confirmation numbers and a copy of your version of your credit report.

Close-up of the upper corner of a consumer credit report from the credit bureau Equifax, with text reading Credit File and Personal Identification, on a light wooden surface, September 11, 2017.  (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

And always follow up! Bureaus are required to look into your disputes within 30 days. Track its progress until you have a resolution in writing. If your dispute is valid, the bureau has to fix it and tell the other bureaus as well.

A lot of these issues boil down to good old-fashioned human error. It happens, but don’t let that stop you from taking charge.

Related: How to run a 5-minute privacy check on your phone

While you’re at it, find your job number

Equifax also runs a database of 716 million income and employment records, including, potentially, yours. It’s called The Work Number, and employers use it to make sure you are who you say you are.

Your Employment Data Report (EDR) includes things like where you’ve worked, when you worked there and your exact past salary numbers.

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Trying to get a new job? An employer could use your EDR to find your past salary range and lowball you in negotiations. And, of course, Equifax will sell your EDR to anyone who’s buying, including debt collectors. 

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How to stop it

You can freeze your EDR just like a credit report. You can also see who’s tried to access it within the past two years. You’ll need to make an account with The Work Number to do it. 

• Search for your current or former employer(s) using their name or employer code (the nine-digit number on your W-2).
• Click their name, followed by Register Now. Heads-up: It’ll ask for your Social Security number.

Once you register, look over your report and make sure it’s accurate. Fill out this data dispute form if you find anything fishy.

A credit card is pictured alongside a restaurant bill. (iStock)

Then, head back to the dashboard and click Freeze Your Data. Fill out the Data Freeze Placement Form and submit it. The Work Number will send you a freeze confirmation letter, along with a PIN. Save your PIN in your password manager. You’ll need it if you ever want to unfreeze your report.

You can always log into The Work Number or call them to unfreeze your report.

If you can’t find your employer: They may not be registered with The Work Number. Call the freeze helpline at 1-800-367-2884 to double-check.

Unless you’re actively applying for a loan or government benefits, or unless an employer actively requests your EDR, it’s a no-brainer to freeze it. And if a potential employer insists on checking your EDR to hire you, maybe it’s not the right fit after all.

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Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, the just-launched port of the 2010 Wii game, doesn’t include individual members of the original Retro Studios development team in the credits, as reported by GameSpot. Since the discovery, however, Nintendo has commented on the omission, giving a statement to Eurogamer.

“We believe in giving proper credit for anyone involved in making or contributing to a game’s creation, and value the contributions that all staff make during the development process,” the statement reads, which is sourced only to Nintendo and not to a specific individual. The game’s credits reveal that the port was done by Forever Entertainment.

Before tossing out your old iPhone, consider it a treasure trove of potential waiting to be unlocked. 

Your seemingly outdated device isn’t just electronic waste. It’s a versatile gadget ready for an exciting second life. From transforming into a smart home hub to becoming a dedicated digital companion, an old iPhone can be repurposed in countless creative ways that breathe new life into technology you may not have considered. 

Here are some of the best ways to use your old iPhone.

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1. Turn it into a ‘dumb phone’ 

Smartphones are incredibly powerful, but they can also be overwhelming. The constant notifications and social media updates can make it hard to focus or enjoy the present moment. If you’re finding that your iPhone is more of a time-waster than a tool for productivity, why not transform it into a “dumb phone”? A “dumb phone” is a basic mobile device that focuses on essential communication functions like calling and texting, while minimizing digital distractions through limited internet access and app capabilities, helping you reduce screen time and stay more present.

Steps to disable apps and notifications

Disable notifications:

• Open Settings
• Tap on Notifications
• Select each app and toggle off Allow Notifications

Delete unwanted apps:

• Press and hold the app icon on the home screen
• Tap Remove App

Factory reset (Optional):

• Back up your data, if needed
• Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings

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2. Give it to your kids 

Eventually, you may want to give your child their own smartphone. While a new phone can be expensive, handing down your old iPhone is a great way to introduce them to technology while also being mindful of your budget. 

By using Family Sharing and parental controls, you can carefully monitor what apps and content your child accesses. Plus, it’s an excellent way to bring them into the Apple ecosystem. 

Steps to set up Family Sharing and Parental Controls

Set up Family Sharing:

• Open Settings and tap on your name at the top.
• Select Family Sharing and tap Add Family Member to invite your child.
• If your child does not have an Apple ID, select Create an Account for a Child and follow the prompts to set up their account.
• If they already have an Apple ID, tap Invite People and choose how you want to send the invitation (AirDrop, Messages or Mail).

Enable Parental Controls:

• Open Settings and scroll down to tap on Screen Time
• Under the Family section, tap on your child’s name
• If Screen Time is not already enabled, tap Turn On Screen Time
• Follow the prompts to set it up as your child’s device.
• Tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions
• If prompted, enter your Screen Time passcode (you will need to create one if you haven’t already)
• Toggle on Content & Privacy Restrictions
• You can now customize settings such as app limits, content restrictions and downtime settings, as needed.
• For app limits, tap App Limits, then select categories or individual apps to set time limits.
• To restrict explicit content or purchases, go to the respective sections under Content & Privacy Restrictions

This process will help you manage your child’s device usage effectively while ensuring they have access to appropriate content.

A child using his iPhone to play games (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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3. Repurpose it as a webcam 

In recent years, Apple’s Continuity Camera feature has made it easy to use an iPhone as a webcam for your Mac or Apple TV. While newer models work well for this purpose, older iPhones can still serve as excellent webcams, especially for online meetings and video calls. 

Instead of purchasing an external webcam, your old iPhone can deliver superior video quality. iOS 18 even allows older iPhones to work as dedicated continuity cameras for Apple TV, which is ideal for FaceTime or Zoom calls with family and friends.

Steps to use your iPhone as a webcam

• Download webcam apps: Consider apps like EpocCam or DroidCam from the App Store
• Connect your iPhone: Follow the app’s instructions to connect your iPhone to your computer via USB or Wi-Fi
• Select your iPhone in video settings: In your video conferencing app (like Zoom or FaceTime), select your iPhone as the camera source

Instead of purchasing an external webcam, your old iPhone can deliver superior video quality.

4. Make it a dedicated music player 

Why use your main iPhone for music when you can repurpose your old one as a dedicated MP3 player? With your old iPhone set up as a music player, you can enjoy your favorite tunes or podcasts without the distractions of text messages or social media notifications. It’s a perfect solution for workouts, long drives or when you just want to zone out with music.

A woman using her iPhone as a dedicated music player (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

5. Use it as a remote or smart home controller 

If you own an Apple TV, you already know that your iPhone can function as a remote control. However, keeping your main phone tied up with the remote can be inconvenient. By making your old iPhone a dedicated Apple TV remote, you can still enjoy controlling your TV without using your primary phone. 

Steps to set up your old iPhone as a remote

Set up Apple TV remote feature:

• Ensure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network
• Open the Control Center on the old iPhone (swipe down from the upper-right corner)
• Tap on the Apple TV remote icon and follow the prompts to connect

Manage smart home devices:

• Download smart home apps like Apple Home or those specific to your devices (e.g., Philips Hue)
• Follow the app instructions to add and control devices

Your old iPhone can even be a hub for all your smart home devices, from adjusting lights and thermostats to checking security cameras.

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6. Save it for gaming 

Smartphones have transformed mobile gaming, and your old iPhone could be an ideal portable gaming console. Many classic and modern games run smoothly on older iPhone models, and with subscription services like Apple Arcade, you can access a huge library of high-quality games. This is a fun, low-cost way to enjoy mobile gaming without draining your main iPhone’s battery life.

A game app on iPhone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

7. Convert it into an e-reader 

For book lovers, using an old iPhone as a dedicated e-reader is a great option. You can install apps like Kindle or Apple Books from the App Store. The iPhone’s display is perfect for reading books and graphic novels, and since you’re not using your main iPhone, there are no distractions like notifications to interrupt your reading. 

You can disable all apps and notifications on the old device, making it a peaceful reading experience. Plus, you can still connect your AirPods to listen to audiobooks while on the go.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Just because you’ve upgraded to a new iPhone doesn’t mean your old one has to be discarded. There are countless ways to repurpose it, from boosting your productivity to controlling your smart home. This way, you can extend its lifespan and maximize the value of your purchase. 

What other devices would you like tips on breathing new life into? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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