Credit Expert. Author. Speaker
Gerri Detweiler
My goal for the past 20+ years has been to help individuals find reliable answers to their credit and financing questions. Helping consumers and small business owners cut through confusion and get the information they need to make better decisions is what drives me as a writer, speaker and educator.
As Seen In
30+ Years In The Credit Industry
About Me
I love helping individuals find reliable answers to their credit, personal finance, and small business financial questions.Known as an expert on credit and small business topics, I have been featured in over 4,500 news interviews, including The Today Show, The New York Times, and USA Today.I've testified before Congress on consumer credit legislation and answered more than 10,000 credit questions online.As a financial writer, I've authored hundreds of articles for various magazines and websites and written or co-authored six books.With extensive experience as an educator and speaker, I served as education director for Nav and Credit.com, where I helped individuals and business owners navigate complex credit issues.I've created online courses, delivered webinars, hosted the weekly radio program Talk Credit Radio, and spoken at industry and consumer events nationwide. I reach thousands of consumers monthly through various websites and podcasts.I hold a BA in International Business/Political Affairs from Taylor University and an MA in Adult Education/Psychology from Vermont College.On a personal note, I am a proud mom of a smart young woman. I love to accumulate credit card points so I can travel, and in recent years have traveled the world while working.
Media Appearances
I have been interviewed for more than 4,500 news articles, TV segments, podcasts, and radio shows
You Can Still Score Last-Minute Summer Travel Deals With These 4 Expert Tips (CNET)
What are Statement Credits? (U.S. News & World Report)
Funding Options for Small Business: What You Need to Know (Small Business Xchange)
What is a FICO Score? (Buy Side by Wall Street Journal)
Is Credit Card Spending All Bad? Maybe Not (CardRatings.com)
What is a Credit Card APR? (Yahoo Finance)
5 Ways to Keep Medical Debt From Killing Your Credit (AARP)
How Small Business Owners Can Use Credit Cards to Stay Afloat (Bankrate)
How Fast Can You Get a Credit Card? (U.S. News & World Report)
How Our Businesses Will Continue To Move Forward Post-Pandemic (Yahoo Finance)
What is Credit Monitoring, and how does it work? (Fox Business)
5 Ways the New Stimulus Bill May Help Your Small Business (AllBusiness.com)
Congress approved $284B for more PPP loans. Will it be enough? (Bizjournals.com)
Business Have Credit Scores Too (Time.com)
How to Apply for a Business Credit Card if You Have Bad Credit (Business.com)
Connect Here With An Online PPP Small Business Lender (Yes, There's Still Money For New Forgivable PPP Loans (Forbes)
For Small Businesses, Getting a PPP Loan Is Hard. Using It Is Even Trickier (Money)
Why Using All Your Credit Cards Now Will Protect Your Finances (The Seattle Times)
How to Get Your Free Annual Credit Reports (US News & Yahoo Finance)
Financial Rules of Thumb to Consider Breaking (Kiplinger)
What is a Business Credit Card? 8 Things to Know (FinanceBuzz.com)
How to Recover From a Business Credit Score Drop (CreditCards.com)
How to cope with old medical debt (STLtoday.com)
Allan Handelman, host of The Allan Handelman Show
"I've been doing general interest talk radio for over 25 years. I can't think of another guest who deals with the subject of credit and personal budgets that can actually hold an audience. As it is, listeners have a short attention span when talking about “personal credit” and especially on FM, yet Gerri Detweiler keeps the phone ringing and provides vital information to listeners with great solutions and compassion. All the while not making it sound like an infomercial for a book or service. She is excellent."
Mark Mills, Host, Market Wrap, WBIX radio in Boston
"Gerri Detweiler is the first call I make when I need a guest to give advice or explain issues around credit and debt. She knows the subject cold and has a gift for explaining things in a way my listeners can understand."
Marta Trinkl, producer, Home & Family Finance ™ Radio
"Gerri Detweiler is a consumer advocate and America's top credit expert. We rely on Gerri to present information and advice our diverse audience has come to expect - proven strategies they can use to more efficiently manage their credit and personal finance."
Contact Me
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My Books
My Books
I am the author or co-author of seven books:
The Ultimate Credit Handbook (Plume), which was featured in Money magazine as one of the five best new personal finance books of the year when released.
Finance Your Own Business: Get On The Financing Fast Track , co-authored with small business attorney and Rich Dad Advisor Garrett Sutton (SuccessDNA 2016).
Debt Collection Answers: How to Use Debt Collection Laws to Protect Your Rights.
Reduce Debt, Reduce Stress (Good Advice Press)
Invest In Yourself: Six Secrets to a Rich Life (Wiley)
Slash Your Debt: Save Money & Secure Your Future (Financial Literacy Center).
The Ultimate Credit Repair Action Plan: A Step by Step Guide to Great Credit
Ultimate Credit Repair Action Plan
Coming soon!
Are you ready to take control of your credit? The Ultimate Credit Repair Action Plan: A Step by Step Guide to Great Credit isn't another credit repair book. It’s also not a pricey credit repair service.Most credit repair books leave you on your own to figure things out. Not this one. You'll get:
Video tutorials walking through key details.
Audio lessons you can listen to anywhere.
Live office hours for accountability and questions.
A comprehensive workbook that serves as your action plan to track your progress.
Speaking
As a professional speaker, spokesperson and workshop presenter, my goal is to provide a practical and positive message. I've spoken to numerous groups, including professional and industry associations, small business advisors and entrepreneurs, college students, and general consumer audiences.I also have:
Served as a spokesperson in national media education tours reaching thousands of consumers through radio, television and print outlets including SMTs
Hosted and served as an expert panelist on credit education sessions and webinars.
Former clients have included MasterCard, Bank of America, American Express, Wells Fargo, Union Privilege.
Sheryl Garrett, CFP®, Founder, Garrett Planning Network
"Gerri delivered a fantastic presentation to a packed house at our annual conference this year. Her session received some of the highest ratings at the conference. And believe me - there was tough competition! We demand advanced level continuing education that we can apply directly to helping our clients. Gerri delivers! She is an expert and a great communicator on one of the most important subjects in personal finance. Our members continue to refer back to what they learned from this one presentation. Thank You Gerri!"
Susan Feinberg, PhD. Associate Professor of International Business, Rutgers Business School
"Love and Money was a huge success last year .. student evaluations were off the chart. I feel as though we have all really succeeded in doing something useful and important. You were one of, if not the, most popular speakers of the entire vacation."
Debbie Todd, CPA, CTP, CGMA, CFEI, 1 Hour Impact
"Gerri - your presentation style and slide decks are "off-the-charts" outstanding. You have a rare gift for sharing complex financial information in simple, engaging, practical and easy-to-digest terms. This is so critical for small business entrepreneurs who, while being great at their craft, often get stopped in their tracks with financing and credit. Kudos to you!"
Ellie Kay, America's Family Financial Expert
"Gerri Detweiler is a top notch speaker who connects with her audience on many levels with an engaging, enigmatic and entertaining style while communicating relevant information. She is the kind of speaker who does her research and commands the attention of the room with a contagious energy that makes listening to her a pure delight. Her presence on the platform of our Heroes at Home speaker tour has been a much needed addition that made our event extremely successful. I give Gerri Detweiler my highest endorsement and my deepest gratitude for the way she has changed lives for the better in her presentations at our events."
Jane Hamilton, Broadcast Director, Imagination; Director of Wells Fargo Small Business Webcast
"Your performance in both programs was notably strong. You engage the viewer, communicate clearly and are comfortable on camera."
Marcia Brixey, Founder & President; Money Wise Women Educational Services
"Gerri's knowledge and expertise on credit report, credit scores and everything to do with credit is phenomenal! During my Money Wise Women Get Smart teleseminar interview with Gerri, she discussed many credit issues you do not read or hear about. Her knowledge is II "I am impressed with her generous spirit and willingness to help the consumer with their credit issues every day. There is no doubt in my mind that Gerri Detweiler is the leading expert on credit issues."
Past Engagements
Previous Speaking Engagements
"How Smart Small Business Owners Can Leverage Business Credit Cards." UTSA SBDC 2022
"Build and Leverage Credit to Get Financing for Your Small Business." Maricopa SBDC 2022
"How to Build and Leverage Business Credit" SideGigCon 2022
"Creative Financing Strategies for Your Small Business" BizCreditCon 2022
"Get Lender Ready" SCORE 2020
"Start Up Financing" WA SBDC 2020
"Financing Tools and Resources," Third Annual Small Business Summit 2019
"Helping Clients Build and Leverage Business Credit to Grow Their Business," New York SBDC Annual Conference 2019
"Beyond Side Hustles: Expand Your Influence By Reaching A Small Business Audience," Fincon 2019
"Connecting Credit to Capital," America's Small Business Development Centers Annual Conference 2018
"The Credit Score You've Never Heard of ... But Soon Will," Fincon 2018
"The Rise of the Micropreneur" Experian Vision conference 2017
"The 28 Million Opportunity You Can't Afford to Miss." Fincon 2016
"Helping Small Businesses Get Loan and Credit Ready," America's SBDC annual conference 2016
"Credit in the Gig Economy," training session for the Personal Finance Seminar for Professionals, hosted by the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension
"Heroes at Home" financial education program at multiple Air Force bases
"From Here to Security," 18-city speaking tour sponsored by Consumer Federation of America and NationsBank / Bank of America on personal financial planning topics
National Spokesperson Media Tours for Bank of America, MasterCard and American Express
"Train the Trainers," International Credit Association at the Federal Reserve Board, Washington, DC
"Personal Economic Summit," Institute of Certified Financial Planners, Washington, DC
The Annual Conference of The Issue Exchange, Washington, DC
"How to Protect Yourself From Credit Card Fraud," State Department of Federal Credit Union, Alexandria, VA and US Information Agency, Alexandria, VA
"Credit Card Night," Bank Administration Institute, Wilmington, DE
"New Markets and New Strategies in Financial Services," Card Symposium Marketing, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
"Credit Education Day," United States Office of Consumer Affairs, Washington, DC
"Partners in Credit Education," International Credit Association of Greater Chicago, Chicago, IL
Panel Member, "The 'Greenwood Trust' Decision: Its Implications for the State and Local Regulation of Credit Practices," National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, Washington, DC
"Love and Money," student program at Rutgers University
Articles
Articles I Have Written
Early in my career I wrote the first mass-market book about consumer credit reports and scores. The Ultimate Credit Handbook was named one of the top 5 personal finance books of the year when it was released, and my writing career took off.Since then I've authored or coauthored 6 books and countless articles that have appeared on websites including BuySide by Wall Street Journal, Forbes, MSN, AllBusiness.com, The Today Show website, Yahoo!, CNN.com and many other magazines and websites.Here are links to just a few of articles I have written for various outlets. I am available for limited freelance writing opportunities.Feel free to contact me if you are looking for an experienced freelance writer on credit, travel and money, or small business financial topics. I am also available for interviews on these topics.
Privacy Policy
At GerriDetweiler.com we are dedicated to protecting your data and privacy. GerriDetweiler.com is published and owned by Ultimate Credit Solutions Inc.We recognize that your privacy is important. This document outlines the types of personal information we receive and collect when you use GerriDetweiler.com, as well as some of the steps we take to safeguard information. This will help you make an informed decision about sharing personal information with us.GerriDetweiler.com strives to maintain the highest standards of decency, fairness and integrity in all our operations. Likewise, we are dedicated to protecting our customers' and online visitors' privacy on our website.GerriDetweiler.com can only answer questions and help individuals in the United States of America. If you are outside the U.S. please do not use this site.About Our CookiesA cookie is a string of information that GerriDetweiler.com stores on your computer, which your browser provides to GerriDetweiler.com each time you return to the site. We use cookies to help us identify and track visitors, their use of our website, and their website access preferences.Google Analytics CookiesGerriDetweiler.com uses Google Analytics to analyze the use of this website. Google Analytics collects demographic and interest data, and generates statistical and other information about website use, by means of cookies. These cookies are kept on your computer. We share this information with Google, which will store and use this information on its servers. Google's privacy policy is available here.GerriDetweiler.com uses information from Google Analytics to track the number of visits to the website, browsers and operating systems. No personally identifiable information is obtained from these cookies. We use the information that Google Analytics generates relating to our website to create reports about the use of the site. These reports allow us to update the site and improve your usage of it.If you do not wish your data to be collected via Google Analytics, you can install its opt-out browser extension or add-on here.Advertising CookiesWe use third-party advertising companies to serve ads on our website. These companies use cookies and web beacons in their ads to ascertain how many times you've seen an advertisement. We share this information with these companies, but do not provide them with any personally identifiable information for cookie or web beacon use, so they cannot personally identify you with that information from our website.You may opt out of personalized ads for over 125 different ad networks. Click here to do that.Some third-party advertisements are served by Google. Google's cookie enables it to serve ads to our visitors based on their visits to other sites on the Web. You may opt out of personalized ads by visiting the Google ad opt-out page.This link from Google provides more information about how Google manages data in its ad products.Affiliate Products and ServicesWe receive an affiliate commission for some of the products and services sold on GerriDetweiler.com.By clicking on a product or service link, you consent to that platform's use of cookies, as outlined in the link below.Amazon privacy policy.Resolve privacy policyDebt.com privacy policyLifetime Debt Solutions privacy policyJustAnswer.com privacy policyRetargeting Ads and Tracking PixelsGerriDetweiler.com may use retargeting ads, which require the setting of cookies in your browser.GerriDetweiler.com may use Facebook pixels to determine the effectiveness of some Facebook ad campaigns. You can change your Facebook ad settings here.Refusing CookiesYou can set your browser to accept or refuse all cookies automatically, or notify you when a cookie is being requested. Taking this action should not cause a problem with the continued use of our site. Consult the Help section of your browser for guidance on how to refuse all cookies or to notify you when a cookie is requested.If you choose to refuse GerriDetweiler.com's cookies, you may not be able to fully experience the interactive features of the site.Personally Identifiable InformationGerriDetweiler.com may collect and use your personal information for the following purposes:To run and operate our site.
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GerriDetweiler.com may collect personally identifiable information from you in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, when you visit our site, register on the site, or fill out a form, and in connection with other activities, services, features or resources we make available on our site.Specifically, if you subscribe to our newsletter, we will ask for your first name and will require your email address.If you complete a form, we will require your name and your email address, and will ask for information relevant to the purpose of the form.If you submit content to us, we will ask for your name and email address. Photos you include with your submission, or details in your submission, may personally identify you.If you request to be notified about comments on any content you submit to us, or request to be notified when others submit content, we will require your first name and your email address.If you submit questions or comment on questions on this site, your questions, comments and answers are not not private or confidential. This is an Internet-based forum and information submitted in such posts may be read, collected, and used by others, and Ultimate Credit Solutions Inc. and/or GerriDetweiler.com is not responsible for it. For example, search engines may index your questions, comments, and answers to allow them to appear in search engine results (e.g. if someone does a search on google.com, your questions, comments, or answers, that relate to the search may appear in the google.com search results list. Protect your privacy by not including your real name or any personally identifiable information (PII) such as your name, address, account numbers etc. in your questions, comments, or answers on the Site.You can always refuse to supply personally identifiable information and visit our site anonymously. However, it may prevent you from engaging in certain site-related activities.If we make material changes in the collection of personally identifiable information, we will inform you by placing a notice on our site. We will use personal information received from you for internal purposes only and will not sell it or provide it to third parties.We also collect each visitor's IP address, which helps us combat spam and fraud. We do not use IP addresses for any other purpose.GerriDetweiler.com contains links to other websites that may be of interest to you. However, once you have used them to leave our site, we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information you provide while visiting such sites. These sites are not governed by this privacy statement. Always exercise caution by reviewing the privacy statement of the website in question before continuing to use it.Non-personally Identifiable InformationWe may collect non-personally identifiable information about you whenever you interact with our site. Non-personally identifiable information may include the browser name, the type of computer and technical information about your method of connecting to our site, such as the operating system and the Internet service provider you used, and other similar information.Children's Privacy ProtectionThis website is directed to adults. It is not directed to children under the age of 16. We operate our site in compliance with current regulations. Anyone under the age of 16 must provide parental consent to use this site. We do not knowingly collect or use personally identifiable information from anyone under 16 years of age.Release of InformationIf we sell Ultimate Credit Solutions Inc. and/or GerriDetweiler.com, the information we have obtained from you through your voluntary participation in our site may transfer to the new owner as a part of the sale so that the service provided to you may continue. In that event, you will receive notice through our website of that change in control and practices, and we will make reasonable efforts to ensure that the purchaser honors any opt-out requests you might make.Data StoragePersonally identifiable information and non-personally identifiable information collected by this site is stored on our host's servers.Personally identifiable information and non-personally identifiable information collected by this site is stored on our host's servers. That host is Carrd Inc., a Delaware corporation. Read Carrd Inc's privacy policy here.Some information is collected by third-party services if you request services from them.YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE CALIFORNIA CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT (“CCPA”)Your California Privacy RightsThe CCPA provides California residents with specific rights regarding their personal information. This notice describes your CCPA rights and explains how to exercise those rights. This notice also includes information regarding the collection, use, disclosure, and sale of personal information and the rights of consumers regarding their own personal information.GerriDetweiler.com has not sold your personal information, including to third-parties as defined under the CCPA, in the past 12 months.Information you provide to us is used for business purposes. The CCPA outlines several categories for which personal information may be used under business purposes, including: auditing, security, debugging/repair, certain short-term uses, performing services, internal research for technology development, as well as for quality and safety maintenance and verification. GerriDetweiler.com uses the following categories of personal information for business purposes collected about consumers. The following have been disclosed under a business purpose within the last twelve (12) months:Identifiers. A real name (optional, if provided), postal address, email address, online identifier, IP address, personal preferences and attributes via cookies, or other similar identifiers.Other information you provide to us. Other information we collect, such as information about your debts or financial situation. This category also includes information you provide us through customer service correspondence and general feedback.Right to Non-DiscriminationUltimate Credit Solutions Inc. will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights under the CCPA. If you have exercised your rights under the CCPA, some services may not be available to you when directly related to the collection of your information, as permitted by the CCPA.How You Can Correct or Remove InformationWe provide this privacy policy as a statement to you of our commitment to protect your personally identifiable information. If you have submitted personally identifiable information through our website and would like to update that information or have it deleted from our records, fill out the form below.Updates and Effective DateGerriDetweiler.com reserves the right to make changes in this policy. If there is a material change in our cookie and privacy practices, we will indicate on our site that those practices have changed and provide a link to the updated privacy policy. We encourage you to periodically review this policy so that you will know what information we collect and how we use it.Agreeing to TermsIf you do not agree to GerriDetweiler.com's privacy policy as posted here on this website, please do not consent to the setting of cookies and the collection and storage of your personally identifiable information.Your explicit consent indicates acceptance of this privacy policy in its entirety.Last updated March 29. 2025.