Equifax sent lenders incorrect credit scores for millions of consumers this spring, in a technology snafu with major real-world impact. (Adobe Stock)
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Credit score ratings can be a complicated thing, and sifting through your credit report can feel overwhelming until you have the basics covered. But the higher your score, the better chance you’ll have at getting better interest rates and higher credit limits. Your credit score actually is a lot more flexible than you might think it is. For people with credit scores between 300-680, you can see your score dramatically improve with just a few easy tips.
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Not much can help your credit score as much as just paying your bills when or even before they are due. If your bill is more than 30 days late, call your creditor as soon as you can to try and negotiate that they no longer report the late payment to credit bureaus.
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Paying multiple times a month can add points to your credit history and help you maintain a lower balance. Called micropayments, these also help your credit utilization score.
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Your credit utilization ratio is used to calculate your credit score. This ratio is figured by adding all of your credit card balances at any given time and dividing that amount by your total credit limit. The lower the ratio is, the better your credit score will be.
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Opening multiple accounts create a temporary dip in your credit score until you can show a history of reliably paying off your balance each month. As much as possible, try to hold off on applying for a new loan or credit card to keep your score high.
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Just like opening a new loan or credit card can impact your score, so can closing a credit card. Having a longer credit history shows creditors your reliability in maintaining your finances. You may even want to ask if you can increase the limit on your credit cards which will positively impact your score even more. Using the card and paying off the full balance each month is the best way to quickly raise your score.
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Every 12 months you can get a free credit report from the three major credit bureaus. Those bureaus include Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax credit reports. After you’ve gotten these reports, check for anything that might be inaccurate. That could include payment dates marked late that were actually paid on time or information that has a negative impact on your score that’s old enough to remove from your credit history.
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You can use a service like Scoreably to clean up your information. They can remove negative items from your file while monitoring your credit score each month, taking some of the work off your load and making it even easier for you to reach the “good” or “excellent” ranges of credit score ratings.
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