USCCU Tip: Know Your Score

A recent survey, jointly released by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and VantageScore Solutions, revealed that a large number of consumers know little about credit scores. The survey found that:

* Two-fifths of those surveyed did not know that credit card issuers and mortgage lenders use credit scores in making decisions about credit availability and pricing.
* Between one-third and two-fifths did not know that the credit scores of co-signers of a student loan are affected by that loan—with the credit score improving if payments are made on time, and declining with one late payment.
* More than one quarter did not know key ways to raise or maintain their scores—keeping credit card balances low and not appying for several cards at the same time.
* Only 7% knew that making several inquiries about getting a consumer or mortgage loan in a short span of time will never lower their FICO and VantageScore credit scores, so consumers shouldn't be discouraged from doing some comparison shopping.

Your credit score—that three-digit number summarizing your credit history—is a critical factor in a lender's decision to grant you credit and at what rate. While lenders are the primary users of credit scores, some employers, landlords, and insurance companies also use them to evaluate applicants.

Therein lies the problem. If you purchase your credit score from Fair Isaac Corp. at myfico.com, you get a FICO Score. If you request a free TransUnion or Experian credit report from annualcreditreport.com and also purchase your credit score from that website, you'll get a VantageScore. And if you use any of these sites—experian.com, freecreditreport.com, consumerinfo.com, creditexpert.com, or familysecure.com—you'll get a PLUS Score, which typically isn't used by lenders, and you'll be automatically enrolled in costly credit monitoring services that you may or may not want or need.

If you can't remember all that, then remember this: Most mortgage lenders, including US Community Credit Union, use the FICO Score.

The best advice is to ask any potential lender which credit score it uses to determine your creditworthiness. Also, a clean credit history (information contained in your credit report) will boost all your credit scores.

Before you apply for credit, take steps to clean up your credit report:
* Pay all bills on time;
* Keep each account balance at less than 25% of your available credit limit;
* Don't close old accounts—or open a flurry of new accounts—right before you apply for credit; and
* Don't co-sign for another person with bad—or no—credit.

If you still have questions about credit scores, come talk to us at US Community Credit Union. We can help you sort out the facts.