Credit

How scores are built, and how to protect yours.

4
Credit
13 lessons
How scores are built, and how to protect yours.
Your score
Credit scoresThe five factors behind your score.Credit score rangesPoor, fair, good, very good and exceptional.Check your reportThree free reports, one careful read.Credit utilizationBalances ÷ limits, overall and card by card.Hard vs soft checksWhich credit checks cost points, and which don't.
Build and protect
Build creditOne small bill, paid in full, for 6 months.Secured credit cardYour deposit becomes your credit limit.Authorized userBorrow a good card's history while you build your own.Improve your scoreOn-time payments and low balances do most of the work.Negative itemsSeven years for most, ten for bankruptcy.Closing a cardClosing shrinks your limits, so your utilization can jump.Card rewardsWorth it only when you pay in full every month.Credit freezeBlock thieves from opening accounts in your name.