What is a Credit Score
A credit score is a mathematical algorithm, typically updated monthly, used by lenders and service providers (i.e. utility companies) to determine your character, creditworthiness, and likelihood to make payments on time.
Read more on:
- How my credit score is affected after a bankruptcy
- How to find and fix common errors on your credit report
- Post bankruptcy credit collections
- Is filing for bankruptcy going to hurt my credit?
Prior to the universal adoption of the FICO score in 1989, bankers would make a decision to lend money based on a “gut feeling”. Obtaining credit was all about who you knew. Many people were denied credit based on gender, race, nationality and marital status.
Conversely, the current credit score model allows any lender to obtain a picture of your current debts with outstanding balances, along with your repayment history.
Credit Bureaus and Credit Scores
While a credit score is a number, the data (your individual credit history) used to create is the score is provided to the bank or credit card company from a credit referencing agency, also known as a credit bureau.
Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion are the credit bureaus that compile your financial history and share this history with lenders by request.
Credit scores may vary slightly based on the credit bureau or lender that completed the calculation.
Improve your Credit Score
Lower credit scores can reduce your odds of being credit approved. A “good” credit score is typically over 700 (on a scale out of 850). If your credit score is not as high as you desire, follow these steps to increase your score:
- Dispute any incorrect findings
- Make all payments on time
- Pay off debt
- Keep credit card balances low
- Maintain a credit utilization of under 30%
- Credit utilization is your total debt divided by total available credit
- Assess unused credit card accounts
- Only close accounts if doing so will increase credit utilization %
- Fewer open accounts with the same overall debt may lower your score
Check Your Credit Report for Free
Visit Experian to check your credit report for free. Checking your own credit is a soft inquiry. Soft inquiries do NOT impact your credit score.
An updated free credit report can be accessed every 30 days. Outstanding balances on credit cards and loans will be reflected as well.
Monitoring your credit report allows you actively increase your score while becoming a more informed applicant.
Additionally, you can obtain a FREE credit score.
Bankruptcy and Your Credit Score
Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 can remain on your credit report 10 years. That being said, the three major credit reporting agencies voluntarily remove Chapter 13 bankruptcies after seven years. Chapter 7 bankruptcies remain on your credit report for the full ten years.
Read more on: the differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13
Filing for bankruptcy does not mean you are “doomed” for seven to ten years. A large majority of people notice an increase in the credit score within 12 months of filing for bankruptcy. This is a result of discharged debt and making payments on times.
Consult a Bankruptcy Attorney
The office of Cherney Law Firm LLC is committed to helping you get your finances and credit score back on track. Contact us at 770.485.4141 to schedule a free consultation to learn how bankruptcy can help you.