You're disappointed to learn that you have a low credit score. Or maybe you're surprised to learn how high your score is. You're not alone. The key to understanding why your score comes in at a certain level is to understand the information contained in your credit reports.
What They Track
Three national credit bureaus--Experian, Equifax and TransUnion--compile credit reports on you. These reports list your open credit-card accounts, your level of debt, any missed payments and late payments.
Credit History
Much of your credit reports are devoted to charting your credit history. The reports list your open credit accounts, whether these accounts are installment or revolving credit, when you opened the accounts, how much you owe on these accounts, and how often you've paid late or missed payments entirely.
Public Records
The public records sections of your credit reports list such financial data as bankruptcies, liens and judgments against you. These will lower your credit scores significantly.
FICO Score
The information on your credit reports is used to determine your credit score, commonly known as your FICO score. Lenders rely on this score to determine whether they will lend you money and what interest rates they'll charge. FICO scores of 720 or above will qualify borrowers for the best interest rates, while lenders consider borrowers with scores under 620 to be risky, according to Fair Isaac Corporation, originator of the FICO score.
Reviewing Your Credit Reports
You can order one free copy of each of your three credit reports every 12 months from AnnualCreditReport.com. Look the report over for mistakes. If you find any, report them in writing to the credit bureaus to help improve your credit score.
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