There were many surprises in 2008. From the collapse of the housing market to the election of the country’s first African American president, Americans saw and experienced a lot. But what was most unexpected was the $700 billion government bailout of Wall Street’s financial institutions, according to a TrueCredit.com survey, conducted by Zogby International.

According to the survey, 53 percent said the bailout was the most unexpected event, followed by 40 percent who said Sarah Palin’s nomination as Republican VP candidate. In attention, 28 percent called the credit crisis the most shocking event of 2008.
Lucy Duni, VP of consumer education for TrueCredit.com, a subsidiary of TransUnion, said, “This past year showed Americans that anything can happen, and emphasized the importance of knowing where they stand at all times. Consumers should take a proactive role in managing and maintaining their credit to ensure they are prepared for unforeseen events like losing their job, or racking up debt.”
The survey also said 63 percent of Americans surveyed knew their credit score, but 54 percent said it’s been at least six months since they’ve checked it.
Added Duni, “While knowing your score is important, understanding what’s on your report is even more vital, as it provides consumers with a holistic view of their credit standing and can also help protect against identity theft and fraud.”
With 2008 in the books, respondents were asked about their feelings about this year. One-third of those polled said soaring stock market or surging home sales among the most unexpected events they could foresee occurring this year.