Credit Score
What Is a Thin Credit File and How Do You Fix It?
A thin credit file means you have too little credit history for scoring models to generate a reliable score, typically fewer than…
Credit Score
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Does a Car Repossession Affect Your Credit Score?
Yes, a car repossession is one of the more damaging events that can hit your credit report, and it can lower your score significantly, often comparable to a foreclosure in…
Credit Score
How Many Credit Cards Should You Have for the Best Credit Score?
There’s no single right number, most people do fine with 2-4 cards, and the average American actually carries about 3.9 open cards.…
Credit Score
What Happens to Your Credit Score in a Divorce?
Divorce itself doesn’t directly touch your credit score, it’s a legal status, not a credit event. What can hurt your score is…
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How Does Identity Theft Affect Your Credit Score (and How to Recover)?
Yes, identity theft can seriously hurt your credit score if a thief opens accounts, racks up charges, or misses payments in your…
Credit Score
Are Credit Repair Companies Worth It? What They Can (and Can’t) Legally Do
Credit repair companies can’t do anything you can’t do yourself for free, and by federal law, none of them can legally remove…
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Does Student Loan Forbearance or Deferment Affect Your Credit Score?
Approved forbearance or deferment on a student loan generally does not hurt your credit score, since the loan is reported as current,…
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What Is a Business Credit Score and How Is It Different From Personal Credit?
A business credit score rates your company’s creditworthiness separately from your own, using different bureaus (Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, Equifax Business)…
Credit Score
Does Co-Signing a Loan Affect Your Credit Score?
Yes, co-signing a loan affects your credit score just as much as if it were your own account, because legally, it is…
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How to Remove a Hard Inquiry From Your Credit Report (and When It’s Not Worth Trying)
You can remove a hard inquiry from your credit report if it’s inaccurate or unauthorized, by disputing it with the credit bureau.…
Credit Score
How Employers and Landlords Use Your Credit Report (What They Can and Can’t See)
Employers cannot see your three-digit credit score, ever, but they can request a modified version of your credit report, minus your score…
Credit Score
Does Paying Off a Loan Early Hurt Your Credit Score?
Paying off a loan early can cause a small, temporary dip in your credit score, but it does not “hurt” your credit…
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Do Rent and Utility Payments Boost Your Credit Score?
Yes, rent and utility payments can boost your credit score, but only if you actively opt in through a rent-reporting service like…
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