As the cost of college skyrockets, so do the number of scams trying to take advantage of families. With the average cost of a private four-year college topping more than $32,000, more families than ever are on the hunt for scholarships that can help relieve some of that financial burden. Con artists and unscrupulous businesses snare several hundred thousands of unsuspecting students and their families with fraudulent offers every year, to the tune of more than $100 million, according to FinAid.

You don't have to let it happen to you!

Here are a few key tips to get started safely.

We don't mean to get too personal, but what's your score? We're talking about your credit score, of course. A few years back, no one knew their credit score. Today, people brag (or complain) about it at cocktail parties and compare scores over the water cooler at work!

That's because knowing your credit score can have a huge impact on your wallet. Being a 640 versus a 690 means paying 12.2 percent versus 9.5 percent on your next loan, and that adds up to thousands of dollars in extra interest!

So, you already know that the higher your score the better. And you probably know the basics for keeping your score high-pay your bills on time, don't carry too much credit card debt, etc.. But you might be surprised at some little known factors that can do some serious damage to your score.

In a world where one delinquent payment-just one-can drop your score 100 points, let's look at eight credit score "no-no's" that pack a real wallop:

Ken and Daria Dolan, America's First Family of Personal Finance, answer your questions every Friday.

Dear Ken and Daria,

I filed for bankruptcy and have recently gotten remarried. I wanted to know if my credit rating will hurt my new husband's credit. (He has excellent credit.) Thank you for your help!

Monica

Ken and Daria Dolan offer advice on debt management and living credit smart in their special report "8 Secrets Your Credit Card Company Doesn't Want You to Know," free from Dolans.com

Personal finance experts Ken and Daria Dolan answer your questions every Friday.

Dear Ken and Daria,

Having two mortgages is about to kill my financial status (I needed to move closer to my family). What do you see in your crystal ball that assures me that this situation will come to an end SOON? Thanks for your input.

--Martie

Click here to ask Ken and Daria your question.

Ken and Daria Dolan, widely known as America's First Family of Personal Finance, offer advice on all things money at Dolans.com.