HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR CREDIT SCORE

A credit score is a measure of credit worthiness.  It reflects the ability to make good on a promise.  The higher your credit score, the lower your rate for mortgages, car loans, credit cards, insurance premiums, etc.  Landlords can also use your score to decide whether to rent to you. 

Credit scores cannot be used, or requested, by employers to determine hiring or firing. Employers can, however, use information from credit reports but they have to ask your permission first. 

There are three major credit bureaus; Experian, Transunion and Equifax.  The credit reports include your personal information, the credit lines you have open and your payment history.  The factors that affect your credit score are as follows:

1.  Payment history accounts for about 35% of credit score.  It's important to pay your bills.
2.  Credit utilization comprises 30% of credit score.  People with the highest scores tend to only be using 20 to 25 percent of their available credit.
3.  Length of credit history makes up 15% of credit score.  Credit scores favor long credit histories.  In fact, you need a six-month history of credit to produce a score.
4.  Credit mix makes up another 10% of credit score.  Multiple types of credit, such as mortgage, car loan and credit cards, are better than credit cards alone.
5.  Applying for new credit wraps up the last 10%.  A lot of new credit in a short period of time makes you more of a credit risk. 

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) provides the consumer with many rights.  In fact the FCRA entitles the consumer to a free credit report every 12 months from each of the credit bureaus.  You can access your credit report through; www.AnnualCreditReport.com.

For more information about the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) including consumer rights, go to: www.ftc.gov/credit.