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What Does The Term Credit Score Mean To An Average Citizen
A credit score is a numerical expression based on a statistical analysis of a person’s credit files,a measure of credit risk calculated from a credit report using a standardized formula.Factors that can damage a credit score include late payments,absence of credit references, and unfavorable credit card use.Lenders may use a credit score to determine whether to provide a loan and what rate to charge.
Lenders,such as banks and credit card companies,use credit scores to evaluate the potential risk posed by lending money to consumers and to mitigate losses due to bad debt.Lenders use credit scores to determine who qualifies for a loan,at what interest rate,and what credit limits.The use of credit or identity scoring prior to authorizing access or granting credit is an implementation of a trusted system.
Credit scoring is not limited to banks.Other organizations, such as mobile phone companies,insurance companies, employers and government departments employ the same techniques.Credit scoring also has a lot of overlap with data mining,which uses many similar techniques.
In the United States of America, a credit score is a number based on a statistical analysis of a person’s credit files,that represents the creditworthiness of that person,which is the likelihood that the person will pay their bills.A credit score is primarily based on credit report information, typically from one of the three major credit bureaus,Experian,TransUnion and Equifax.
There are different methods of calculating credit scores. FICO is a credit score developed by Fair Isaac & Co.It is used by many mortgage lenders that use a risk-based system to determine the possibility that the borrower may default on financial obligations to the mortgage lender. The credit bureaus all have FICO alternatives:Equifax’s ScorePower,Experian’s PLUS score and TransUnion’s Credit score.
Americans are entitled to one free credit report within a 12-month period from each of the three agencies.The three credit bureaus run Annual credit report,where users can get their free credit report,normally without credit scores.Credit scores are available as an add-on feature of the report for a fee.
In some states such as California and Colorado a consumer is entitled to a free credit report within 30 days of being denied credit or receiving sub-normal credit terms from a lender due to their credit rating.
Quick Fix to Bad Credit Score
A bad credit score is one thing that financially independent individuals should avoid. This is detrimental in many aspects of their financial lives. For instance, a bad credit score can void them of good jobs. This may sound unbelievable but indeed it is true. Many employers seek out those potential employees who do not have uncontrollable debt. This is because a bad debt can rid a person of his concentration. At work, an unfocused employee can cost losses in profits. This person would not be able to perform well thus possibly dragging the company down with him.
Another bad result of an undesirable credit score is disapproval of loans. Loans are critical for building ones life. A person needs loans for buying his own house. He needs it for owning a car, putting up a business and more. But with a bad score, all of his goals may not come true in a smooth manner. He can get approved on such loans only when his score is above 700.
A bad credit score is brought on by unpaid bills or late payments. This is usually the case in a massive credit card debt. People apply credit cards promotions and get hooked on spending. Before they know it, they are in too much debt. A lot of people disregard their pending payments. They only get surprised when they apply for a loan and their credit reports are shown.
However, there is a quick fix they can do to change their fate on loans. Note that credit bureaus have a method of scoring. One way is by checking a persons recent payment history. It means that what matters in their scoring is the recent payment activity of a person. Therefore, an individual can up his credit score by making recent on time payments.
For his credit card bills, he can opt for credit card balance transfer. When all of his credit card debt is in one place, he can make efforts to pay on time. It wont be as hard this time because of only one bill and one interest rate. Utility bills also matter so he should always look out for the deadline. He should pay before the due date just to make sure. Also he can cut off some of his unnecessary spending. This way he would have extra money for the payments.
Doing this for at least six months can increase his chances on a good credit score. After which he can then take on some loans.