Implemented in the 1980s for lenders and banks to supply an algorithm-based assessment of consumers' creditworthiness, the secret, proprietary credit score models are definitely the credit industry's secret sauce and they're selling it to every bank and lender out there.
A recent survey found that 42 percent of Americans would favor a letter score connected with a credit score instead of the traditional three-digit number. A letter grade would presumably help consumers better grasp the place they rank in creditworthiness.
And many people in America are ranking pretty low. Using the average credit at 661 across the country, many have a bad credit score, meaning most customers could be hard-pressed to get mortgages, financial loans and charge cards and if they are approved, it's most likely at crazy rates.
Here is your cheat sheet to debunking credit.
1) FICO is the closest thing to a one, true credit score. While the FICO credit rating is widely known, there is no one true credit score. You will find dozens of credit score models created by each credit bureau and unique to different sectors like mortgage lenders and auto insurance providers. Risk assessment isn't consistent from industry to business or even lender to lender. For example, your credit score pulled by one credit card issuer will probably differ any where from 5 to 50 points from a different credit card company.
Lenders use lots of scores and scoring models. Since you can't manage dozens of scores, track all 3 credit reports from the major bureaus on Score Driven for a general sense of your credit health. While the specific numbers can vary, you're often in the same "risk range" from credit score model to credit score model. When you develop and improve the factors affecting your credit score, your scores should pick up across the whole range of scoring models.
2) Checking your score is not good for your credit. There are two types of credit checks. Hard inquiries knock a couple of points off your credit score and are initiated when a bank pulls your credit report to assess you for a financing decision, such as approval for a mortgage loan or credit card. Soft inquiries usually do not affect your credit and they are initiated as part of a background check, such as for pre-approved offers or as part of a job hiring process. When you look at your own credit score, it is deemed a soft inquiry and won't affect your credit score no matter how many times you check your score.
Lesson: Go on and check your credit score as much as you'd like; you don't have anything to lose and monitoring your progress over time gives you more insight into what's in your credit.
3) My credit score influences future work. Contrary to everyday opinion, future employers don't look at your credit score; they actually pull your credit report, the data-rich file detailing your credit track record. Employers look at your credit report as part of your background check, but they must get your permission prior to doing so. Take the preemptive step to take a look at full credit reports. Regularly check your credit reports all through the year.
Lesson: Your long term job opportunities could be influenced by your credit report, check your credit report frequently for errors and fraudulent accounts.
4) It takes forever for a score to budge. Your credit rating represents your credit behavior in a certain time, also it can decrease or increase anytime there's a considerable change in your credit history. Hard queries are frequently reported immediately, while creditors typically update information to credit agencies in 30-day cycles.
Lesson: While it's not useful to obsess over your credit score daily, looking at least once a month gives a basic overview of your credit health over time.
5) Credit cards are perfect for your credit score. True, but they aren't the only way to create your credit score. While having a credit card and paying on time and in full each month is a great way to build credit, your score benefits drastically from having different types of credit. Variety of credit affects your credit score and is a key factor when lenders assess your creditworthiness. An installment loan like a mortgage or auto loan may hold more weight in some credit score models than a handful of store credit cards.
Lesson: Try to have a combination of credit types, from credit cards to student loans to a house loan. For your present loans, pay by the due date and in full because mistakes on significant lines of credit will have a drastic impact on your score.
6) I don't need to worry; I already have a great credit score. Congratulations are in order on having a high credit score, nevertheless, you aren't off the hook. Credit score calculations are formulated so that the higher your credit score, the harder it is to gain more points on your credit score. It's much harder for a consumer with an 800 credit score to gain even a few points, while a consumer with a 600 credit score can improve their credit score relatively speedily with the right credit-building steps. Also, the higher your credit score, the larger the damage when you take a misstep.
Lesson: People with high credit scores have to be diligent about preserving their score and avoiding small credit mistakes that create significant destruction. Monitor your credit score for any movement that signal warning flags in your credit behavior.
About the Author:
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