Credit Score Myths

A lot of credit score myths about fico score ratings get spread around and some of them are just outdated information. Sometimes even lenders can give you the wrong advice and it can get confusing. But the bottom line is bad information can cost you money no matter who you get it from.

Fico score ratings are used for most mortgage lending, which means, you need to know what will hurt or help your credit score points. To make it clear, here are some of the most common credit score myths.

* Checking your credit report will hurt your credit score

Checking your own credit report and credit score counts as a soft inquiry and does not go against your score. However, if anyone else like a lender or credit card company is checking your credit report, this is considered a hard inquiry and will generally knock off about 5 credit score points.

The credit score rating system treats multiple inquiries in a 14-day period as just one inquiry. The system ignores all inquiries made within 30 days prior to the day the credit score is computed. So if you want to minimize the damage from credit inquiries, shop for a loan in that short period of time.

* Closing old accounts will improve your credit report score

Sometimes even lenders will tell you to close your old and inactive accounts as a way for improving your credit report score. In most cases, closing old accounts will actually have the opposite effect with the current credit score rating system.

Canceling old credit accounts can actually lower your credit score because it makes your credit history appear shorter. If you want to reduce your levels of available credit, it's better to reduce or close new accounts instead. Applying for new credit is more likely to lower your score.

* You need to check more than just FICO score rating

If you ever hear this from anyone, consider it a red flag. All of the three major credit reporting bureaus offer FICO credit score ratings using the formula developed by Fair, Isaac. Even though each one gives the scores a different name you only need a fico score rating from the three major credit reporting bureaus.

At Equifax, the FICO score rating is called the Beacon credit score. At TransUnion, it’s called Empirica. At Experian, it's known as the Experian/Fair, Isaac Risk Model.

The reason each of the three major credit reporting bureaus will have three different scores is because they don’t all share the same data. So when checking your credit report, just make sure it comes from the three major credit reporting bureaus: Experian, Trans Union and Equifax.

Examine your credit reports from all three major credit reporting bureaus before you apply for a big loan like a mortgage. Fix any errors in all three reports before you shop for a loan because it takes time to correct your credit report.

* Credit counseling will hurt your score

The current FICO credit score rating system ignores any reference to credit counseling that may be in your file. The researchers at Fair, Isaac, the company that created the FICO credit scoring rating system, found that people getting credit counseling didn’t default on their debts any more often than anyone else.

However, any late payments you've had with creditors will hurt your credit score. Credit counseling can hurt your ability to get a loan because you probably have had trouble paying creditors.

Some lenders will back away if you are in credit counseling. Others may see it differently, but usually will charge you higher interest rates than if you had perfect credit.

The best way to improve your credit report score is paying your bills on time and paying down credit card debt. Check your credit report regularly for any errors and make sure you don't fall for these common credit score myths.

 This is Just the Articles Beginning...   To Read On... Click Here!

How To Read Your Credit Report
As this information is freely available to any financial prod...
how_to_read_your_credit_report.php

Free Credit Score Services
An individual can obtain his/her credit score, free of cost, from all the three credit bureaus: Experian, Equif...
free_credit_score_services.php

Credit Repair
Why would you want to do your own credit repair?...
credit_repair.php

Your Credit Report
Your credit report is nothing more then a very detailed snapshot of your financial history that is furnished ...
your_credit_report.php

Free Online Credit Score
Because how important your credit score is and ho...
free_online_credit_score.php

Free Credit Report And Score
The credit score is a three digit score which is based on the credit reports. It can ...
free_credit_report_and_score.php

Credit Score Factors
Automated programs keep score on your payment punctuality, and other...
credit_score_factors.php

Are You Eligible For A Free Credit Report
1. You are unemployed and seeking employment in the next 60 days....
are_you_eligible_for_a_free_credit_report.php

Keeping Your Credit Score High
Currently the most commonly used credit score is the widely popul...
keeping_your_credit_score_high.php

Avoid Imposter Free Credit Report Websites
The amendment was undertaken as a way to help individuals acces...
avoid_imposter_free_credit_report_websites.php

Free Credit Score Online
In the US, the credit score is based on the FICO (Fair Isaac Corporation) score th...
free_credit_score_online.php

How To Raise Your Credit Score
Once you get used to using your credit responsibly and making all y...
how_to_raise_your_credit_score.php

Easily Raise Your Credit Score
Many financial advisors suggest that you periodically review your credit report for inaccuracies or omissio...
easily_raise_your_credit_score.php

A Good Credit Score
There are many ways to explain what exactly our credit score is, but frankly trying to sort out the scientific and ...
a_good_credit_score.php

Quickly Improve Your Credit Score
In 1995 I made a decision that would ruin ...
quickly_improve_your_credit_score.php

Free Credit Report Online
In the end, you might actually be better trying to find a credit report online that's cheap, although the free ones ...
free_credit_report_online.php

Get A Free Credit Report Twice A Year
Previously it used to be rather expensive to constantly send off for and rec...
get_a_free_credit_report_twice_a_year.php

Free Credit Report Scams
Some companies have established Websites with addresses that are very similar to the address of the official...
free_credit_report_scams.php

Ways To Raise Your Credit Score
There are more than 30 million people in the United States that have credit scores under 620 and if y...
ways_to_raise_your_credit_score.php

Boost Your Credit Score
This is the absolute fastest way to correct errors on your credit report and raise your credit score. How...
boost_your_credit_score.php

Credit Inquiries And Your Credit Report
The trick is if you are looking for credit, whatever it is for, then only apply for the credi...
credit_inquiries_and_your_credit_report.php

Dispute Credit Report Errors
Some financial advisors suggest that you periodically review your credit report for inaccuracies or omissio...
dispute_credit_report_errors.php

Free Experian Credit Report Online
If this sounds like a good idea to you, get your Experian free annual credit report online instantly. But you should b...
free_experian_credit_report_online.php

Fico Score Explained
As I mentioned above the FICO score is a numerical score that is based on your financial history as collec...
fico_score_explained.php

How To Get Your Free Annual Credit Report
There are three big firms that are nationally operated whic...
how_to_get_your_free_annual_credit_report.php

Establish A Good Credit Score
A good credit score is important, because the better your score, the easier and cheape...
establish_a_good_credit_score.php