- Monitor your credit
- Spend responsibly
- Pay off your cards
Your credit score may be something that you pay no attention to until you are applying for a loan or credit. Because even a poor credit score can be built into a strong credit score, within two years, it makes sense to review your credit score regularly and to take the proper steps to improve your score if necessary. That way, when it comes time to have your creditworthiness judged, you will pass inspection.
Here is a list of some credit basics:
- Check your credit report regularly. You can view your credit report for free at www.annualcreditreport.com.
- Dispute any inaccurate information that appears on your credit report. Go to the Bills.com debt self-help center for sample dispute letters. The credit bureaus must follow the rules set forth by Congress in the Fair Credit Reporting Act(FCRA).
- Pay your bills on time every month. Late payments will seriously harm your credit score. To improve your credit, you must open, use, and responsibly pay your credit accounts that regularly report to the three major consumer credit reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). You should pay off open derogatory listings, and you should start making payments on other credit lines to reprove your credit score.
- Avoid running up debt. Pay your debts off as best you can. If possible, keep any running balance on your credit cards to less than 35% of the card’s credit limit. Do not "max out" any loans or cards.
- Consider a secured credit card, if your credit history is so sparse that creditors are reluctant to offer you credit
- Diversify your credit portfolio. For example, if you have only a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover card, get a department store credit card or card from a gasoline retailer.
- Keep your oldest credit account active. Part of your credit rating is based on the length of time that your accounts have been open.
- Monitor the number of new credit applications you complete. Applying for multiple lines of credit within a short period of time can lower your score.
- Use your accounts regularly. It helps your credit score when you actively use and pay off your credit accounts.
- If you would like to learn more about credit reports, credit scoring, and what it means to you, I encourage you to explore the wealth of material offered by the Bills.com credit information page.
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