There are several options that can assist in establishing a credit history:
- For those looking to get a credit card, options include a secured credit card, a co-signed card, or being added as an authorized user on another person's card.
- For those who wish to build credit without a credit card, there are credit-builder loans, secured loans, or co-signed loans. Utilizing rent, phone, and utility payments can also help build credit, with some methods being free and others having a fee associated.
This overview provides information on credit-building tools and tips on how to utilize them to achieve a strong credit score.
If you have a low credit score, it is easier for you to achieve rapid improvements than for those with a strong credit history.
A 100-point increase in your score is achievable, according to Rod Griffin, the senior director of public education and advocacy at Experian, a credit bureau. He states that "the lower a person’s score, the more likely they are to see a 100-point increase. This is because there is more room for improvement, and even small changes can result in significant score increases."
Here are some ways to quickly improve your credit:
- Manage your credit card balances wisely
Your credit utilization, which refers to the portion of your credit limit you are using at any time, plays a crucial role in determining your credit score. A general rule of thumb is to keep your utilization below 30%, with the optimal utilization being below 7% for those with the highest scores. (You can monitor your credit utilization for each card and overall by checking your credit score profile on NerdWallet.)
It is important to ensure that your credit card balance is low when the card issuer reports it to the credit bureaus as this information is used in calculating your score. One way to do this is to pay down your balance before the end of the billing cycle or to make multiple payments throughout the month to keep your balance low at all times.
Importance: Highly significant. Your credit utilization is the second most important factor in determining your credit score, with timely payments being the most critical.
Time Investment: Low to moderate. Schedule reminders to log in and make payments, and consider setting alerts on your credit card accounts to notify you when your balance reaches a specific amount.
Speed of Results: Quick. As soon as your credit card company reports a lower balance to the credit bureaus, your improved utilization will be reflected in your credit score calculation.
- Request an increase in your credit limits
If your credit limit is increased while your balance remains unchanged, it will immediately reduce your overall credit utilization, which can improve your credit score. If your income has increased or you have a positive history of responsible credit usage, there is a good chance you will be granted a higher credit limit.
Impact: Extremely important, as utilization plays a significant role in determining credit scores.
Time Investment: Minimal. Reach out to your credit card issuer to inquire about a higher limit, and try to avoid a "hard" credit inquiry that could temporarily lower your score.
Speed of Results: Quick. Once the increased limit is reported to the credit bureaus, it will lower your overall credit utilization, provided you do not use up the additional available credit.
- Become a Secondary Cardholder
If a family member or friend has a credit card account with a high credit limit and a good record of timely payments, ask to be added as an authorized user. This will add the account to your credit reports and its credit limit can improve your credit utilization. This strategy, known as "credit piggybacking," enables you to benefit from the positive payment history of the primary cardholder. The account holder does not have to give you access to the card or even provide you with the account number for your credit to improve.
Ensure the account is reported to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) for the greatest impact; most credit cards do.
Effect: Can be significant, especially if you have little to no credit history. If you already have established credit and are trying to correct past mistakes or reduce your credit utilization, the impact will be less.
Effort Required: Low to moderate. You'll need to discuss the matter with the account holder and determine whether you will have access to the card and account or just be listed as an authorized user.
Speed of Results: Quick. Once you are added and the credit account is reported to the credit bureaus, it can positively impact your credit profile.
- Pay bills on time
On-time payments are essential to maintain a good credit score. Late payments can have a lasting negative impact, remaining on your credit report for up to 7 and a half years.
If you fall behind on payments, act fast. Call your creditor and make arrangements to pay as soon as possible. You can also ask if they would consider not reporting the late payment to the credit bureaus. The longer an account remains delinquent, the greater the harm to your credit score.
Influence: Significant. On-time payment history is the primary determining factor for credit scores in both the FICO and VantageScore credit scoring systems.
Effort Required: Minimal. Set reminders for bill payments and consider automating payments to ensure timely payment of the minimum amount.
Speed of Results: Varies based on the number and recentness of missed payments and the number of days a payment was overdue (30, 60, 90 or more). However, the impact of late payments decreases over time, and building a positive credit history through additional accounts can help hasten the process.
- Dispute credit report errors
A wrong information on one of your credit reports may negatively impact your credit score. To resolve this issue, you can dispute credit report errors. This can help improve your credit score quickly.
You have the right to receive free reports from the three major credit bureaus annually. You can request these reports from AnnualCreditReport.com and then look for any errors such as payments marked as late when you paid on time, someone else's credit activity appearing on your report, or outdated negative information.
Once you have found any errors, dispute them to get them corrected.
The impact of credit report errors can vary, but it can be significant if a creditor is reporting a missed payment that did not occur.
The time commitment required to resolve credit report errors is medium to high. It takes time to request and review your free credit reports, file disputes, and monitor the progress. However, the effort is worthwhile, especially if you're trying to improve your credit before applying for a significant loan such as a mortgage. It's important to address credit report errors well in advance if you're planning to apply for a mortgage.
The speed at which the credit report errors can be resolved varies. The credit bureaus have 30 days to investigate and respond to the dispute. Some companies claim to offer quick resolution of credit report errors, but it is important to be cautious when using these services.
- Deal with collections accounts
By paying off a collections account, you eliminate the risk of being sued for the debt, and may be able to convince the collection agency to stop reporting it. Additionally, you can have collections accounts removed from your credit report if they are inaccurate or have passed the listing period.
Impact: The impact of having a collection account on your credit report varies. If the collector agrees to stop reporting it, this can have a significant positive impact on your credit score. However, if the collector continues to report it, the effect depends on the scoring model used to generate your credit score. Most commonly used models, such as the FICO 8, still take paid collections into consideration, while newer models like VantageScore and updated versions of FICO ignore paid collections.
Time Commitment: Addressing collection accounts on your credit report requires moderate time investment. You must request and review your credit reports, and then devise a plan to handle the listed collections accounts.
Speed of Results: The results can be achieved moderately quickly. If your credit score uses a model that ignores paid collections, like VantageScore or newer FICOs, your score can improve as soon as the paid-off status is reported to credit bureaus. On the other hand, if you need to dispute a collection account or request a goodwill deletion, the process may take a few months.
- Use a secured credit card
An alternative method to establish or improve your credit is through a secured credit card. This type of card is supported by a cash collateral that you provide in advance, and the deposit amount usually equals your credit limit. You can use it like a regular credit card and timely payments will assist in enhancing your credit score.
Impact: The impact varies. It is most likely to benefit individuals who are new to credit and have limited accounts or those with damaged credit who are seeking to add more positive credit history and offset previous mistakes.
Time commitment: Medium. Search for a secured card that reports your credit activity to all three major credit reporting agencies. You could also explore alternative credit card options that do not require a security deposit.
Speed of results: A few months. The objective here is not just to obtain another card, although that can slightly improve your score by increasing your credit diversity. Rather, your aim is to establish a history of keeping low balances and making timely payments.
- Receiving Credit for Rent and Utility Payments
Rent reporting services can incorporate your punctual rent payments into your credit reports. However, not all credit scoring models take into account rent payments - for instance, VantageScores include them but FICO 8 does not. Nonetheless, if a potential lender examines your reports, your rent records will be present, and a long history of steady payments can only be beneficial.
Experian Boost can also help. You can connect your bank accounts to the free Boost service, which then searches for payments made to streaming services, phone and utility bills, as well as eligible rent payments. You have the option to select which payments you want added to your Experian credit report. If a lender pulls your FICO 8 using Experian data, you can benefit from the additional payment history.
Impact: The impact varies.
Time Investment: Minimal. Once the initial setup is complete, no further time is required.
Speed of Results: Boost operates instantly, but the rent reporting aspect may vary based on an individual's past payment history. For instance, some services offer an immediate retrospective of the previous two years of payments, but without that, it could take several months to establish a history of on-time payments.
- Add to your credit mix
Enhance your credit profile by adding a new credit account that is in good standing. This may particularly benefit your credit if it is a type of credit you do not already have.
If you only have credit cards, consider obtaining a loan. A credit-builder loan can be an affordable option to consider. Make sure the loan you are considering reports to all three credit bureaus.
If you only have loans or have limited credit cards, adding a new credit card can be helpful. It not only improves your credit mix, but also reduces your overall credit utilization by increasing your available credit.
Impact: It varies. Opening either a loan account or a credit card account is most likely to benefit someone who only has one type of account. People with limited accounts or short credit histories have more potential to see a boost in their credit score.
Time commitment: Medium. Consider whether the amount of time you'll spend researching providers and completing applications is worth the potential improvement in your credit score. You should also weigh the costs, such as interest and fees, that come with obtaining a loan or credit card for the sole purpose of improving your credit.
Speed of improvement: Fast. As soon as the activity on your new account is reported to the credit bureaus, it can start affecting your credit score.
FAQ
- How quickly can you improve your credit score?
Individuals with a low credit score have a better chance of seeing a quick increase than those with a strong credit history. By paying bills on time and using a smaller portion of your available credit limit on credit cards, you can potentially improve your credit within 30 days.
- What can I do to improve my credit score in 30 days?
The most effective way to improve your credit score in 30 days is by paying bills on time and reducing the balances on your credit cards. Credit card issuers report your payment behavior to the credit bureaus every 30 days, so taking positive steps can quickly impact your credit score.
- How can I increase my credit score by 100 points in a month?
Individuals with a low credit score have a greater chance of making significant improvements than those with a strong credit score. By adopting positive credit habits such as paying bills on time and using less of your available credit, you may be able to increase your credit score by as much as 100 points.
- Is using a Credit Privacy Number (CPN) a legitimate way to improve credit?
No, a CPN is a fraudulent scheme. It can lead to identity theft or simply result in you losing your money. Although it may seem like a quick solution or a fresh start, it is just an attempt to attract victims with false promises.
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Source: https://www.nerdwallet.com
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