Easy Tips to Improve a Credit Score
The three-digit number on the credit report, which lies between 300 and 850, is the credit score. It is one of the most vital details for lenders to know before granting you credit. This is because the score determines your payment ability. But, what if your score is low? Well, you can come out of it. Now, let us address the big question of how to come out from under a bad credit score . Read below to find out.
Pay the bills on time
Your number one contributor to the credit score is your payment history. It accounts for 35% of the FICO score. The best method to ensure that your bills are cleared on time is by setting up an auto-pay method. So, when the bill comes, the amount is deducted automatically, and you don’t have to make an additional effort to remember the date of payment. However, at all times, you need to ensure that there are adequate funds in your account for the auto-clearance. If not, you might have to bear a hefty fee.
Clear your debt
The debt that you owe to your lenders accounts for 30% of the FICO score. In normal circumstances, you will clear your bills for the credit card towards the month-end. However, if because of any reason, you are not able to do that, you should stop using the card, and clear off whatever is due. Start with clearing the debt with the highest interest rate, or you could even clear off the debts with the smallest balances first; whatever method works for you, do it.
Avoid any fresh hard inquiry
If you wish to increase your credit score, you would particularly want to delay any fresh application of credit. When you apply for credit, the lender will take steps to evaluate your credit history, which would lead to a hard inquiry. The inquiry made will be mentioned in the credit report. Hence, it would have a direct implication on the credit score. If you are trying to lend money from various sources, the lender would think of you as a credit risk. Fresh applications contribute to about 10% of the FICO score.
On the other hand, soft inquiries do not harm your credit score. A soft inquiry is also when any lender himself cross-examines your credit score to pre-approve you for credit.
Build credit
If you are unable to get a loan or credit card, you could try to build your credit history via a secured account or with someone’s help. In short, you could try strategies, such as:
- Associate with a consignor who has a good score. If you have a reliable consignor for your credit card or loan, the lender would consider them equally accountable for the credit.
- Start a secured credit account, where you can keep cash in an account; then, the issuer would let you borrow a certain percentage from that money.
- Associate with an authorized user in their account
We hope that with this information, you have your answer on how to come out from under a bad credit score.