You don't have to go to the drugstore (to get smart about credit)

Staci

True story time.

Last week I got an email from a friend and former Wells Fargo colleague, who'd had an interesting experience at her local drugstore:

I had my Wells Fargo jacket on in Walgreens  today and this kid asked me, out of the blue, "How do I get credit, if I don't have any?" I was kind of taken aback for a moment — do I look like a lady who knows about credit? And then he said, "Well, don't you work at Wells Fargo?"

So we started this strange conversation about how he was going to school and needed to get a loan, and couldn't build up his credit because he didn't have any, and because he didn't have any history they wouldn't give him any credit. I didn't know what to say. I kind of wanted to run out of the store. But I told him I would check into it for him.

Gotta give this kid props for walking up to a total stranger and asking for credit advice!

And at the same time, I'm thinking, this poor kid — he clearly hasn't received any credit education at home or at school, so he has to ask a total stranger!

What makes this story particularly timely is that today is Get Smart About Credit Day.  Every October, the American Bankers Association hosts this initiative to educate consumers and students about credit. Given the current economic environment — where credit is harder to come by — these efforts are more important than ever.

Fortunately, if you want to get smart about credit, you don't have to go to the drugstore. Stay put and check out some of these resources Wells Fargo offers:

• Smarter Credit Center
• Credit Education
• Student Credit Education
• Hands on Banking financial education program 

And don't forget: By law, you're entitled to one free credit report every year. 

So, what credit questions can we answer for you?