If you have one or more credit cards, you probably have a credit score. This is a number that summarizes your credit history, and it’s based on the information in your credit reports (the detailed records that creditors keep about how much you borrow and how well you repay). There are several different types of credit scores, but most major lenders use the FICO scoring system. You get a score, generally between 300 and 850, from each of the three major consumer credit bureaus:
Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. The higher your score, the better your credit looks to lenders. And, the better your credit looks to lenders, the more likely they are to offer you lower interest rates when you need to borrow money
A credit score is an indicator of the likelihood that you will pay your debt obligations. Your score is derived from information contained in your credit report. The higher the number (700-850), the better your score.
Lenders use this number to determine whether they want to extend a loan to you and at what interest rate.
Given that your score may not be good, you may be wondering: How can I improve my credit score in 2022? Is there a way to repair the damage and get you to the good books?
It is important to get a copy of your credit report to ensure it is accurate. If you find any inaccuracies (like a suspicious credit account you didn’t open), dispute such fraudulent activities with the appropriate credit bureaus to have them removed.
The best way to do this is through AnnualCreditReport.com. You can get one free copy annually from all three major reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
You can also consider ordering a copy every few months since one agency may have information that another doesn’t. This way, you can monitor your progress as you work to raise your score.
If there are negative marks in your history that are valid, it is still possible to raise your score over time. You will need to be proactive and responsible in managing your debt going forward. What are things you can do to improve your credit score?
Consider a balance transfer
If you’re carrying a lot of debt and you are wondering about how to improve your credit score in 30 days, then paying off your debts should be your top priority. You might want to consider a balance transfer card that charges no interest for a period of time, allowing you to pay down debt faster.
Lower your credit utilization ratio
One easy way to improve your score is to lower your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of your total credit limit you have used). If you can get it below 30%, that’s a great start. But if you can reduce it further, such as by paying off some debt or asking for an increase in your limit, do so and watch your score climb even more.
Limit your credit card application
It’s best not to apply for new cards unless there’s a good reason, such as better terms on a balance transfer or a rewards rate. Applying for multiple cards at once can be seen as a negative. It suggests someone desperate for money. Instead, apply only when you have a good chance of approval.
To improve your credit score:
Pay bills on time
If you want to get your score moving in the right direction, take care of every little detail, especially your bills! Since bills might slip your mind at times, set up autopay on your credit accounts. This helps you stay on course even when you may be too busy to remember.
Become an authorized user
A close friend or family member can add you as an authorized user on their cards. You don’t need to have a card. This enables you to raise your score. However, ensure the cardholder uses the card responsibly so your score doesn’t sink any further.
Consolidate your debts
Consolidating all your debts into one monthly payment can help improve your credit because you are making only one payment. For example, if you have five loans with different due dates, it’s easy to forget to pay one or confuse the due dates.
Not only does consolidation help simplify monthly payments and make them easier to manage, but it also helps prevent late payment charges, which lower your score. The longer you make payments on time, the better the effect is on your credit history.
Do not close old accounts
Lenders favor old credit account holders. This is because your credit card gives them a detailed history of how you pay your debts. Closing credit cards while still having balances on other credit cards negatively impacts your credit score. This could knock off a few points because of the increase in your credit utilization ratio.
Lower insurance premiums: Companies that offer home and auto insurance often base their premiums on an applicant’s credit score. The better your credit, the less you may have to pay for insurance.
Easier time finding a place to live: Many landlords check prospective tenants’ credit scores as part of the application process. If they see something they don’t like, they might not approve your rental application.
Lower loan rates: If you’re getting a mortgage, car loan, or any other type of loan, a poor credit history could increase the amount you pay in interest and fees or prevent you from getting approved altogether.
Better employment prospects: Some employers pull applicants’ credit reports as part of their background checks. If your report shows you are poor in managing your finances, they will not trust you with their jobs.
Negotiate for better interest rates: Banks are happy to offer you loans when you have a good credit score. Banks and credit companies are always on the lookout to find borrowers with good credit scores. This puts you in a position to negotiate for better interest rates. You will also obtain a mortgage with more favorable terms.
Credit scores matter. Even a difference of a few points on your credit score makes a big difference in the interest rate you pay when you borrow money. A high credit score lets you take advantage of better credit card offers and gets more attractive deals on mortgage, car loans, and insurance.
Because a good score saves you so much money, it’s worth taking steps to improve a poor credit score over time.
A more positive outlook toward a more financially secure future starts today. Give the Ascent Network a call today at 1-877-871-2400. Ascent Network helps consumers all over the United States and is available locally in Huntington Beach, CA, Coachella Valley, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Thousand Palms.
It is easy to find information concerning credit today, TV, Newspapers, and the internet are loaded with information, but sadly, much of that information is inaccurate. Here are just a few of some common credit myths circulating today:
(Now, you might think that sounds absurd, but I assure you it’s far more widespread than you think.) Your spouse and your credit report and scores are looked at individually. If you have joint accounts, they’ll show up on both your credit reports.
If you get an authorized user account for your spouse, that’ll also show up on your report. However, if none of your accounts are joint, and you don’t have any authorized user accounts, there will be nothing that will affect your score for one another.
Huge Myth! Your credit score, right now, is looked at for almost everything you do. Increasingly, when you’re applying for a job, they look at your credit score. When you’re applying for auto insurance (in most states), homeowner’s insurance, or life insurance, they look at your credit score, they look at your credit history.
That’s why it’s so important to clean your credit up. Make sure that your credit’s reporting accurate information. If you have derogatory credit that’s truly yours, you work to rebuild credit.
This credit myth could not be further from the truth! The truth is, there is only one payment per billing cycle that is reported to the credit bureaus from creditors.
Multiple payments or trying to split up payments so that it “looks like” there is more payment activity on an account can actually hurt the consumer, how…….a lot of times if a payment is due on the 10th of the month and partial payment is received on the 1st of the month and then a 2nd payment is received on the 15th of the month if the payment made on the 1st was equal to at least the minimum payment due there will be a late charge which will be charged to the account no matter how large payment is made on the 15th.
The best advice, make your payments once a month on Credit Cards, Installment Accounts, and Mortgages and pay them at the same time each month so you develop a habit of paying on time.
In order for your Credit Profile/Report to be accurate, the law states that there must be
These are the three thresholds that every item that they’re putting on a credit report must meet. If it doesn’t meet it, they must delete it.
Across all media platforms today you will find credit myth information on almost any topic or subject, but sadly, much of the information concerning credit is inaccurate.
In older Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) models, inquiries had a greater effect on your score because they counted every inquiry for automotive and every inquiry for a mortgage. So if you were shopping around for the best deal on an auto loan, or shopping around for the best deal on a mortgage, your credit score got dinged for each one.
The FCRA models realized that this was discouraging intelligent consumers from getting the best deal, so they adjusted the model to only count automotive and mortgage inquiries that are done within a certain period of time to be counted as one single inquiry.
This is one of the widespread credit myths. In actuality, it’s an ongoing process to improve one’s credit. It doesn’t take a certain amount of time. Most negative items will remain on your credit report for up to seven years, as long as they are accurate, can be verified, the credit bureau and creditor reporting the item can and will provide the appropriate validation of the debt and the debt actually occurred within that period of time being reported.
Of course, many items are NOT accurately reported and are not verifiable, therefore they can and should be removed.
Regardless of whether or not individual line items can be corrected or deleted, though, you can start to improve your credit. It can be done by maintaining a positive payment history, maintaining lower balances, and low utilization rates on your credit cards. It can also be done by establishing new accounts to get your new payment history going smoothly again.
Foreclosures will remain on your credit report for seven years, Bankruptcies can linger for seven to ten years: this is entirely dependent upon how the bankruptcy gets filed. Chapter 13 will remain for seven years, whereas Chapter 7 will remain for a decade. Note, however, that the actual bankruptcy in the public records section will remain there for ten years either way.
One must remember that the reporting of a Foreclosure or Bankruptcy on a credit report must meet the same criteria that any other item must meet in order to stay on a person’s credit report and that is that all reported information pertaining to that foreclosure or bankruptcy be reported accurately and be able to be verified and validated by both the party reporting the item and the party recording the item.
Absent of that verification and validation the item must be removed from the credit report regardless of when it originally took place.
The important take-away point is that although these are certainly long periods of time, it’s not permanent, and there are many things you can do after a financial crisis to reestablish your credit and get your credit back on track.
These are just a few of the Credit Myths you find today reported online, on TV, and published on Social Media and other news outlets. Don’t be fooled, you can take control of your financial and credit future by handling your current finances responsibly and demanding your rights under the law that ALL information that is being reported about you be 100% accurate 100% of the time.
Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. The higher your score, the better your credit looks to lenders. And, the better your credit looks to lenders, the more likely they are to offer you lower interest rates when you need to borrow money Why your credit score matters A credit score is an indicator of the likelihood that … Continued
Read MoreIt is easy to find information concerning credit today, TV, Newspapers, and the internet are loaded with information, but sadly, much of that information is inaccurate. Here are just a few of some common credit myths circulating today: Credit Myth: “Your credit score only counts when you’re looking to borrow money.” Huge Myth! Your credit … Continued
Read MoreIn order for your Credit Profile/Report to be accurate, the law states that there must be These 3 Credit Report standards are: Third, The item must be verifiable. The item in question must be able to be verified by the credit bureau because they are the ones disseminating the information and by the creditor because … Continued
Read MoreAcross all media platforms today you will find credit myth information on almost any topic or subject, but sadly, much of the information concerning credit is inaccurate. Here are some common credit myths being thrown about: Credit Myth 2: “It will take you seven years to improve your credit.” This is one of the widespread … Continued
Read MoreWE COMMUNICATE WITH ALL THREE CREDIT BUREAUS FOR YOU:
