Many people had their financial plans derailed in 2020. Financial stress may have forced you to make tough choices, such as deciding which bills to pay, scaling back on your savings, or withdrawing from a retirement account. As a result, you may need to get back on track financially. One of the first areas to tackle should be your credit score.
Even if your finances didn’t take a hit during the pandemic, it’s wise to keep track of your credit score. It affects your ability to get a job, your access to loans, and your ability to qualify for various types of insurance. Can you repair or upgrade your credit score? Yes, but the first step is to understand what your credit score and credit report are based on.
Your Credit Score
The FICO score, based on a model created by Fair Isaac Corporation, is the most common scoring system of a person’s credit history. Lenders use these scores to evaluate your creditworthiness, which means the probability that you will repay loans in a timely manner. A lower FICO score can result in higher interest rates for credit cards or loans, shorter repayment terms, a requirement for a cosigner, or even outright denial of a loan.
FICO scores range from 300 to 850. Generally, scores greater than 800 are considered excellent, while scores below 640 are considered below average, or subprime. Most lenders use the average score of the three most well-known reporting bureaus — Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.
Your FICO credit score is based on five factors:
1. Payment history (35%)
2. Total amount owed compared with available credit, known as credit utilization (30%)
3. Length of credit history (15%)
4. Types of credit used (10%)
5. New credit cards or loans opened and credit inquiries (10%)
Your Credit Report
Once you know your credit score, you’ll also want to know what went into that three-digit figure — which you can find out by reviewing your credit report.
Credit reports contain a comprehensive record of your credit history, including personal information, account information, and whether you have paid your bills on time. Your credit report also contains information on any accounts that have been sent to a collections agent and whether you’ve filed for bankruptcy or received a bankruptcy discharge.
Checking Your Credit Report
With so much of your financial life based on your credit report, accuracy is important. Unfortunately, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates one in five consumers has at least one error on their report. That’s why it’s so important to make checking your credit report a habit. One simple way is to go to annualcreditreport.com. Everyone has the right to a free report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies each year.
Freezing Your Credit
Since 2018, consumers have been able to freeze their credit files free of charge. A credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, imposes restricted access on credit reports, making it more difficult for identity thieves to open accounts in your name. You’ll need to file a credit freeze request at each of the three major credit bureaus; it does not affect your credit score. To access your credit history and open new accounts, you’ll have to temporarily lift the freeze.
Repairing Your Credit: 7 Important Steps
Repairing your credit score will require time, patience, and discipline. Know that there is no quick fix. Instead, work your way through these steps for improving your credit score over time:
1. Review your credit reports for errors and dispute any inaccurate or missing information. Be aware that simply checking your credit report or FICO score will have no effect on your credit score. You’ll need to take action to dispute incorrect or missing information. The FTC website provides consumer information on how to file and resolve credit disputes.
2. Pay your bills on time. Even if you have missed payments, get current with your bills.
3. Tackle past-due accounts and reduce the amount of debt you owe. You could start by paying off debts with the smallest balance to the largest (the debt snowball method) or from the highest interest rate to the lowest (the debt avalanche method).
4. Be cautious when opening new credit cards. New credit accounts should be opened only on an as-needed basis.
5. Consider consumer credit counseling. A great resource for educational materials and workshops is the U.S. Department of Justice’s U.S. Trustee Program, which maintains a list of credit counseling agencies approved to provide pre-bankruptcy advice.
6. Be wary of credit repair services. These companies offer to act on behalf of the consumer and negotiate with creditors, but they may also charge unreasonable fees and upfront charges, as well as mislead customers about their ability to fix credit.
7. Consider bankruptcy only as a last resort. Filing for bankruptcy can allow people to keep their house, car, and other property. It also has serious consequences, including lowering your credit score. If you’re exploring bankruptcy, the U.S. Trustee Program maintains a state-by-state list of government-approved organizations that supervise bankruptcy cases and trustees.
Although the process may take time and patience, working to repair your credit is well worth the effort because your credit history is a cornerstone of your financial plan.
This article is meant to be general in nature and should not be construed as investment or financial advice related to your personal situation. Please consult your financial advisor prior to making financial decisions.
~ John Manocchio (CA Insurance Lic# 0H73423) is an investment adviser representative with Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC. Contact him at Pacific Crest Wealth Planning, jcmanocchio@pacificcrestwp.com or (530) 562-5250.
