Improve Your Credit Score – If you have ever applied for a credit card, a car loan or insurance, there’s a credit report file about you. It has information on where you live. On how well you pay your bills, if you ever been sued or had an arrest. Or even if you filed for bankruptcy. The consumer reporting companies then sell this information in your report. It is sold to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses with a legitimate need for it.
Having a good credit report and score means it will be easier for you to get loans and cheaper interest rates. But you will need a plan, time and effort in order to pay down your bills and improve your credit report score.
Download Copies of Your Credit Report
Get copies of your free credit report from annualcreditreport.com and then make sure the information is correct. If you find any errors like wrong addresses, phone numbers or past employers, submit a dispute form.
Understand How Your Credit Score is Determined
Your credit score is usually based on the answers to these questions:
Do you pay your bills on time? The answer to this question is very important. If you have paid bills late, have had an account referred to a collection agency, or have ever declared bankruptcy. This history will show up in your credit report. If you have missed payments, get current and stay current. The longer you pay your bills on time, the better your credit score.
What is your outstanding debt? Many scoring models compare the amount of debt you have and your credit limits. If the amount you owe is close to your credit limit, it is likely to have a negative effect on your score.
How long is your credit history? A short credit history may have a negative effect on your score. A short history can be offset by other factors, such as timely payments and low balances.
Have you applied for new credit recently? If you have applied for too many new accounts recently, that may negatively affect your score. However, if you request a copy of your own credit report, or if creditors are monitoring your account. Or if they looking at credit reports to make prescreened credit offers. These inquiries about your credit history will not counted as applications for credit.
How many and what types of credit accounts do you have? Many credit-scoring models consider the number and type of credit accounts you have. A mix of installment loans and credit cards may improve your score. However, too many finance company accounts or credit cards might hurt your score.
Credit Report Versus FICO Score
Your Credit Report is the full detail on all your credit accounts. It will track your payments on all your loans and credit cards. The credit report is different than your credit score. Your credit score is a number that ranges from 300 to 850. Read more about it in a free online guide from myfico.com.
If You Are Having Troubles Contact Your Creditors
This won’t improve your credit score immediately. But if you can begin to manage your credit and pay on time, your score will get better over time.
It’s OK to Request and Check Your Own Credit Report
Requesting your Credit Report won’t affect your score. As long as you order directly from annualcreditreport.com or through an organization authorized to provide credit reports to consumers.
Improve Your Credit Score
Annual Free Credit Report and Amazon.com have teamed up to bring you some great self-help books that can help you quickly improve your credit score. Check them out.