Secrets Banks Hate How to Boost Your Credit Score Quickly
Quick Tips to Boost Your Credit Score
1. Pay Bills on Time
Payment history accounts for 35% of your credit score. Ensuring that you pay your bills on time is one of the most effective ways to improve your score. Consider setting up automatic payments or reminders to avoid missing due dates.
2. Reduce Credit Card Balances
Credit utilization, or the ratio of your current credit card balances to your credit limits, makes up 30% of your score. Aim to keep your utilization below 30%. If possible, pay off your balances in full each month.
3. Avoid Opening New Credit Accounts
While it might be tempting to open new credit lines to increase your available credit, doing so can temporarily reduce your score. New credit inquiries account for 10% of your score, so be strategic about applying for new credit.
4. Dispute Inaccuracies on Your Credit Report
Errors on your credit report can negatively impact your score. Regularly review your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—and dispute any inaccuracies you find. The Fair Credit Reporting Act entitles you to a free report from each bureau annually1.