What
is a Credit Score?
A credit score is a number lenders use to help them decide; "If I give this person a loan or credit card, will I get paid on time ? It is one of several pieces of information that auto, mortgage, credit card and other lenders use when evaluating your application for credit.
There are three different types of credit scores. Credit Bureau scores are based solely on information contained in consumer credit reports, they are NOT a part of consumer credit report. Other types of scores may also include information from credit applications or bank files. A credit score is calculated by a computer at one the national credit bureau when a lender requests it..
Credit
Bureaus
As mentioned above there are three major credit bureaus in the United States. These bureaus are listed below.
| Credit Bureau Name | Telephone Number |
| Equifax | 1-800-685-1111 |
| Transunion | 1-800-888-4213 |
| Experian (formerly TRW) | 1-800-422-4879 |
| Most Mortgage Loan applications combine information collected by all three credit bureaus into a single report this report is sometimes called a TRI-MERGE or 3 Bureau Credit Report | |
HOW IS A CREDIT BUREAU SCORE DETERMINED ?
Fair Isaac Company (FICO) developed a statistical model that is used by all three credit bureaus to derive consumer Credit scores. The scores calculated by this statistical model are based on 5 categories of information collected by credit bureaus. These categories and their percent weighting are listed below.
| Credit Category | Weighted Percentage of Score |
| :Late Payments, Collections, Bankruptcies, Judgements | 35% |
| Outstanding debt | 30% |
| Length of Credit History | 15% |
| Types of Credit Use | 10% |
| New applications | 10% |
WHAT IS A GOOD SCORE ?
Credit score scale classification varies greatly from lender to lender. However, the table provides a general guideline as to how a credit score is regarded. Typically, scores below 530 are considered weak credit.
| CREDIT SCORE | CLASSIFICATION |
| 790 & OVER | PLATINUM |
| 660 - 789 | A |
| 620 - 659 | B |
| 580 - 620 | C |
| 530 - 579 | D |
| 529 AND BELOW | E |
Please note. Credit scores are not the sole source used in determine an appicant's credit worthiness. However, a good credit score can expedite the loan approval process for applicants who score above a certain threshold. Most lenders have their own guidelines which may differ greatly from the criteria in the table listed above.
HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY CREDIT SCORE ?
|
Simple ways to improve your credit score |
| 1. Pay your bills on time |
| 2. Keep balances low on unsecured revolving debt like credit cards. High outstanding debt can adversely affect a credit score. |
| 3. Apply for and open new accounts only as needed |
Hint: If your credit score is below 530, try to focus on making payments on existing credit accounts, working with creditors to develop repayment plans and most of all avoid major purchases for at least a twelve month period. Credit scores are based on recent payment history. Even the worst credit score can improve over 100 points within 12 months.
SUBPRIME & PREDATORY LENDERS
There are lenders who specialize in providing credit to individuals with poor or weak credit histories and low credit scores. These lenders, oftentimes, called Predatory lenders or sub prime lenders will generally charge a substantially higher interest rate, charge additional fees and in the case of mortgages and auto loans may require larger cash down payments. It is usually best to avoid these types of lenders if at all possible. It is better to focus on ways to improve your credit score and save money rather than finance a major purchase at a high interest rate.