Ask Bill - Answers about Credit Scores

How do I figure my FICO score?

Credit applications and their impacts on your credit score.

How do I clean up my credit report?

Will paying a delinquent account in full have a greater impact on my credit score than a smaller settlement amount?

Should I Pay My Big Balance Accounts First, Or Many Small-Balance Accounts

Is becoming an authorized user on a seasoned tradeline legit or a scam?

Bank of America misapplied a mortgage payment, reported a non-payment, and caused my credit score to drop and raised my closing costs. What recourse do I have?

How can I take advantage of a 0% APR credit card without damaging my credit score?

How long will a delinquent student loan payment appear on my credit report?

I bought a lemon that was replaced under my state's lemon law. Will that appear as a repo on my credit report?

I received a letter from National Action Financial Services for a debt I do not owe. What are my rights? What can I do?

If my credit score is 530 now, if I've paid all of my accounts, will I have a high enough score to qualify for a mortgage in six months?

My credit card account is in collections, and this appears on my child's credit report? Why? What can we do about it?

I expect a bonus check. Which of my credit card accounts should I pay first to increase my credit score?

Will I improve my credit score if I piggyback on my spouse's credit card?

How do I boost my credit score and what minimum scores are necessary to open store cards or get 0% APR vehicle financing?

How may I remove hard inquiries from my credit reports?

I paid a delinquent account, but the derogatory information is still on my credit report. How do I fix my credit report?

Why do my credit scores from Experian and Equifax differ by 50 points?

I do not plan to borrow money to buy a car or home. I have a high credit score. Is it important to maintain my high score?

What factors affect my credit score? If I co-sign a loan will that hurt my credit score?

How do I get a free credit report that contains my credit score?

How do I remove unauthorized credit inquiries from my credit report?

I paid my collection accounts and my credit dropped. Why? What can I do about it?

Will getting a consolidation loan lower my credit score?

I do not understand why my credit score is 546. How do I raise my credit score for free?

I live on a fixed income. If Lexington Law cleans up my credit report, will I qualify for a mortgage?

How long will it take for my credit scores to rise after purchasing a home?

Will a joint mortgage cause the credit scores in both spouses to merge?

If I pre-pay my vehicle lease, will that give my credit score a quick, sharp boost?

I am disputing a fraudulent charge. Can this be reported on my credit report?

My credit score is low. What should I do to improve my credit score?

I paid my charge card bill three months late. How much of an impact will this have on my credit score?

Does it make more sense to pay a debt before or after charge-off, from a credit score perspective?

My bank canceled my card due to inactivity and reported it 'closed by consumer.' Can I have that removed from my credit report?

I have derogatory items on my credit report I have paid off. Should I validate the debt? How can I fix my credit report?

I paid-off a maxed-out credit card. How long will it be before I see an improvement to my credit score?

Will my credit score improve if I get apply for new credit?

When can I see an improvement to my credit score?

How long will it take for my credit scores to improve?

What can I do about my ex-husband not making the mortgage payments?

Will purchasing a home hurt my credit score?

Bank of America put a negative on my credit report. I am buying a house, and want to learn how to clean-up my credit report.

I plan to buy a car soon on credit. Should I close several unused credit card accounts before or after buying the car?

How much will my credit score drop if I allow a voluntary repossession of my travel trailer?

I have a recent R9 on my credit report. Will I be able to get a loan soon, or will I need to wait 7 years?

How do I get my insurance and phone bill to show on my credit report?

How do I improve my credit score so that I can buy a home soon?

What is the minimum credit score I need to get a home loan mortgage? I want to refinance my home loan mortgage and I want to know what the minimum credit score is.

If I close several credit card accounts, will that lower my credit score?