Your FICO® scores (an acronym for Fair Isaac Corporation, the company behind the FICO® score) are credit scores. It’s a sort of grade based on the information contained in your credit reports. Unlike the grades you were given in school — A through F — base FICO® scores generally range from 300 to 850. And the higher, the better.

Because there are three major consumer credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion), each with its own version of your credit report, you can also have different credit scores. For example, you can have a FICO® score based on your Equifax® credit report, a FICO® score based on your Experian® credit report, and a FICO® score based on your TransUnion® credit report. To further complicate things, you can also have VantageScore® credit scores from each bureau.

Additionally, FICO also creates many different credit-scoring models for lenders in different industries. So your base FICO® scores may not be the same ones a mortgage lender sees if they request your mortgage-specific FICO® scores, for example.

You probably don’t need to worry about all these nuances when buying a home, but you should still have an idea of what your scores look like. You can get your VantageScore® 3.0 credit scores (based on similar factors to your FICO® scores) from Equifax and TransUnion for free on Credit Karma.

How do my FICO® scores affect my ability to get a mortgage?

Lending a huge amount of money is risky business. That’s why mortgage lenders need a good way to quantify the risk, and your FICO® scores — with all of the data and research that go into them — fit the bill.

Different lenders have different requirements for their loans. And because there are many different types of mortgages from many different types of lenders, there’s no one single minimum FICO® score requirement.

How can my FICO® scores affect my mortgage interest rate?

When a loan officer gets your mortgage application, they may use a pricing grid to figure out how your credit scores affect your interest rate, says Yves-Marc Courtines, a chartered financial analyst with Boundless Advice. Generally, higher scores can mean a lower interest rate, and vice versa.

From there, a mortgage loan officer will likely look at the rest of your loan application to decide whether your base interest rate needs any adjustments. For example, if you’re making a smaller down payment, you may be given a higher interest rate, says Courtines.

A bank’s pricing grid may change on a daily basis depending on market conditions. However, here’s an example of what you might expect your base interest rate to be, based on your credit score, on a $216,000, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage.

You can ask for a free copy of your credit report by mail. There are two national credit bureaus in Canada: Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada. You should check with both bureaus. Full details on how to order credit reports are available online.

We often mention TransUnion Canada and Equifax Canada as the two credit bureaus to use to check your score. Today we’re going to dig deeper and detail the steps needed to access your score from either of these resources in a safe and efficient manner.

Here are the 5 steps you’ll need:

• Step 1: Choosing a Credit Bureau
• Step 2: Gathering Identification Pieces
• Step 3: Determining How to Receive your Report
• Step 4: Understanding your Credit Report 
• Step 5: Monitoring your Credit Score Monthly

Step 1: Choosing a Credit Bureau

Under Canadian law, you’re entitled to your credit report once per year at no cost. You have the option of receiving your report by either mail, in-person or online, which we’ll discuss further in Step 3. With two credit bureaus to choose from, which do you go with? The answer is actually, both.

Though most consumers don’t realize it, your credit score has minor changes from one credit bureau to the next. This is because every bureau, financial institution and lender use a different model to determine credit score. For example, TransUnion may weight payment history as 35% of your score whereas Equifax may weight it at 40% (these are hypothetical numbers). Knowing both scores will ensure there aren’t any unexpected surprises when you apply for a loan.

The best practice is to order each score 6 months apart. For example, you can apply for your report from Equifax Canada in January and your report from TransUnion Canada during the summer. This will allow you to monitor your spending habits and understand where your financial health stands.

Note: Equifax Canada refers to your credit report as “credit file disclosure”.  TransUnion Canada refers to your credit report as “consumer disclosure”.
Though it’s important to get your credit report from both bureaus, you shouldn’t turn to your lender to find out your score. Asking your bank, credit union or dealership to check your report for you can actually negatively affect your credit score.

We also suggest being mindful of websites and apps that claim to check your score without affecting it. There are some credible third party website out there, such as BankRate.com and Borrowell.com, but many of them are scams. Anytime an unauthorized website asks for additional personal information, such as your SIN number, it will show up on your credit report.

Step 2: Gathering Identification Pieces

There are two different processes depending on whether you’re accessing a free report or one you pay for.

FREE REPORT PROCESS

1. Download the Canadian Credit Report Request Form

2. Photocopy two pieces of government-issued ID — this can be any of the following documents:

• Driver’s license
• Health card
• Birth certificate
• Passport
• Bank statement or phone bill (only if your home address isn’t up to date on the above documents. Please black out confidential information)

3. Fill out the form with your contact information

4. *Optional Include your SIN number on the form. This step is optional, however, if you’re requesting a report from a reputable source, such as TransUnion Canada or Equifax Canada, we suggest it. Providing your SIN helps speed up the cross-reference check the credit bureau performs, meaning you’ll receive your report quicker.

5. Send in your completed form and proof of identity in a well-sealed envelope by mail or by fax to the provided address.

You should receive your report within 5 – 10 days!

Let’s start with the simple answer: You can check your credit score however often you want to. The common myth that checking frequently negatively impacts your score is just that, a myth. However, just because you can check your credit score whenever your want doesn’t mean that you always should, or, will need to. This simple guide will quickly help determine when and how checking your credit score is right for you.

Understanding Your Credit Score?

In order to understand your credit score, first you have to understand your credit report. A credit report is a record of how you manage your money. These reports contain a history of balances, payments, accounts, inquiries and other pieces of personal information that lenders use to evaluate whether or not to extend your credit. If you have a credit card or a loan, you have a credit report. Credit scores are calculated from the data contained in your credit report. Generally, scores range between 300 and 850. Typically, the higher the number, the better the score. Both credit reports and credit scores are

In order to understand your credit score, first you have to understand your credit report. A credit report is a record of how you manage your money. These reports contain a history of balances, payments, accounts, inquiries and other pieces of personal information that lenders use to evaluate whether or not to extend your credit. If you have a credit card or a loan, you have a credit report. Credit scores are calculated from the data contained in your credit report. Generally, scores range between 300 and 850. Typically, the higher the number, the better the score. Both credit reports and credit scores are important tools when it comes to managing personal finances but it’s not always clear how your score is calculated. See the chart below for an explanation of the components that may make up your score.

When to Check Credit Score?

Deciding when to check your credit score depends on your comfort level. For some, checking annually is sufficient. However, many prefer checking their credit scores monthly or even weekly. It’s important to remember that you can check your credit score as much as you’d like without impacting your score. In fact, tracking your progress may give you more insight into what’s affecting your score. Be careful to avoid focusing too much on day-to-day changes and instead identify overall trends. Some situations in which you may want to check your score more frequently can include: Deciding when to check your credit score depends on your comfort level. For some, checking annually is sufficient. However, many prefer checking their credit scores monthly or even weekly. It’s important to remember that you can check your credit score as much as you’d like without impacting your score. In fact, tracking your progress may give you more insight into what’s affecting your score. Be careful to avoid focusing too much on day-to-day changes and instead identify overall trends. Some situations in which you may want to check your score more frequently can include:

• Opening a new credit card.
• Applying for a loan.
• Starting a mortgage.
• Searching for a new job.
• Building or rebuilding credit.
• Protecting against identity theft.

When Not to Check Credit Score?

Even when you’re in good standing, it’s important to routinely check and ensure that the good credit you’ve established remains stable. If your credit score is on the lower end, don’t ignore it. However, it is not always necessary to check your credit score daily. Checking too much can cause anxiety. Small or daily changes are normal and should not be a cause for concern. 

How to Check Credit Score?

There are many ways to check your credit score. By law, you are entitled to a free credit report from all three major credit reporting agencies once a year, including TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. Additionally, some monitoring services allow you unlimited access to your credit information year-round. These services could help you spot inaccuracies, potential fraud and more on your credit report.

Checking your credit score can be easy and stress free with the right tools and online monitoring services.

Credit scoring is used by lenders, insurers, landlords, employers, and utility companies to evaluate your credit behaviour and assess your creditworthiness.

1. Applying for a loan. Your credit score will be a big factor into the decision of whether you are approved or denied your application for more credit. Your credit score will also affect the interest rate and credit limit offered to you by the new credit grantor – the lower your credit score, the higher the interest rate will be and the lower the credit limit offered  – the reason for this is you are considered more of a credit risk.

2. Applying for a job. A potential employer may ask your permission to check your credit file and based on what they read, they may decide not to hire you due to your poor credit history. Yes, having bad credit could cost you a job!

3. Renting a vehicle. When you sign an application to rent a car, the rental company can check your credit history to determine what their risk may be when they loan you their property. So although you are not applying for credit, the application documents you sign provide your written permission to access your credit information.

4. The same is true when applying for rental housing – the landlord may assess your tenant worthiness and their risk by factoring in your credit rating and score, and they could pass you over for someone with a better credit rating.

What information is used to calculate my credit score, and what factors will lower my score?

If you have tried looking on the consumer reporting agencies’ (CRAs, also know as Credit Bureaus) websites, you have seen they provide VERY little information as to how your credit score is calculated. They believe this information is proprietary and therefore their “secret”. They do, however, provide a list of the main factors which affect your credit score:

1. Payment History
Equifax says: “Pay all of your bills on time. Paying late, or having your account sent to a collection agency has a negative impact on your credit score.”
TransUnion says: “A good record of on-time payments will help boost your credit score.”

2. Delinquencies
Equifax lists: “Serious delinquency; Serious delinquency, and public record or collection field; Time since delinquency is too recent or unknown; Level of delinquency on accounts is too high; Number of accounts with delinquency is too high”
TransUnion lists: “Severity and frequency of derogatory credit information such as bankruptcies, charge-offs, and collections”

3. Balance-to-Limit Ratio
Equifax says: “Try not to run your balances up to your credit limit. Keeping your account balances below 75% of your available credit may also help your score.”
TransUnion says: “Balances above 50 percent of your credit limits will harm your credit. Aim for balances under 30 percent.”

Ok, so avoid maxing out your credit – because if you don’t really need more credit you’ll be able to get it, and if you do really need it then you are more of a risk.(Funny how that works)

4. Recent Inquiries
Equifax says: “Avoid applying for credit unless you have a genuine need for a new account. Too many inquiries in a short period of time can sometimes be interpreted as a sign that you are opening numerous credit accounts due to financial difficulties, or overextending yourself by taking on more debt than you can actually repay. A flurry of inquiries will prompt most lenders to ask you why.”
TransUnion says: “Avoid excessive inquiries. When a lender or business checks your credit, it causes a hard inquiry to your credit file. Apply for new credit in moderation.” 

Also of concern is that inquiries for non-credit purposes (such as utility companies and car rentals), will cause your credit score to drop without adding points for having credit in good standing, as with a credit card that you pay off every month. So be careful to only apply for credit you really need.

5. Length/history of Accounts
Equifax says: A “common negative score factor… [is the] length of time accounts has been established is too short”
TransUnion says: An established credit history makes you a less risky borrower. Think twice before closing old accounts before a loan application.”

Having a longer history on your credit accounts earns you more points, so avoid closing your accounts if you may need them in the future. A good credit history is built over time – sorry, but there is no quick fix for this one.

6. Variety of Credit Accounts
TransUnion says: “A healthy credit profile has a balanced mix of credit accounts and loans.”

Having a mix of credit products (credit card, retail store card, line of credit, car loan, etc) will procure more points on your file than having only one type of credit, such as only credit cards.

7. Too many accounts
Having a lot credit accounts, especially if many of them carry balances, is another warning sign of financial distress, so if the Credit Bureaus think you have too many, they will deduct points.

Everyone who’s ever borrowed money to buy a car or a house or applied for a credit card or any other personal loan has a credit.

Because we love to borrow money, that means almost every adult Canadian has a credit file. More than 21 million of us have credit reports. And most of us have no idea what’s in them.

Are there mistakes? Have you been denied credit and don’t know why? Is someone trying to steal your identity? A simple check of your credit report will probably answer all those questions. And it’s free for the asking.

So what’s in a credit report?

You may be surprised by the amount of personal financial data in your credit report. It contains information about every loan you’ve taken out in the last six years — whether you regularly pay on time, how much you owe, what your credit limit is on each account and a list of authorized credit grantors who have accessed your file.

Each of the accounts includes a notation that includes a letter and a number. The letter “R” refers to a revolving debt, while the letter “I” stands for an instalment account. The numbers go from 0 (too new to rate) to 9 (bad debt or placed for collection or bankruptcy.) For a revolving account, an R1 rating is the notation to have. That means you pay your bills within 30 days, or “as agreed.”

Any company that’s thinking of granting you credit or providing you with a service that involves you receiving something before you pay for it (like phone service or a rental apartment) can get a copy of your credit report. Needless to say, they want to see lots of “Paid as agreed” notations in your file. And your credit report has a long history. Credit information (good and bad) remains on file for at least six years.

What’s a credit score? And why is it so important?

A credit rating or score (also called a Beacon or a FICO score) is not part of a regular credit report. Basically, it’s a mathematical formula that translates the data in the credit report into a three-digit number that lenders use to make credit decisions. 

The numbers go from 300 to 900. The higher the number, the better. For example, a number of 750 to 799 is shared by 27 per cent of the population. Statistics show that only two per cent of the borrowers in this category will default on a loan or go bankrupt in the next two years. That means that anyone with this score is very likely to get that loan or mortgage they’ve applied for.

What are the cutoff points? TransUnion says someone with a credit score below 650 may have trouble receiving new credit. Some mortgage lenders will want to see a minimum score of 680 to get the best interest rate.    

The exact formula bureaus use to calculate credit scores is secret. Paying bills on time is clearly the key factor. But because lenders don’t make any money off you if you pay your bills in full each month, people who carry a balance month-to-month (but who pay their minimum monthly balances on time) can be given a higher score than people who pay their amount due in full. 

This isn’t too surprising when you realize that credit bureaus are primarily funded by banks, lenders, and businesses, not by consumers.

Your credit scores are an important aspect of your financial profile.

They may be used to determine some of the most important financial factors in your life, such as whether or not you’ll be able to lease a vehicle, qualify for a mortgage or even land that cool new job.

And considering 71 percent of Canadian families carry debt in some form (think mortgages, car loans, lines of credit, personal loans or student debt), good credit health should be a part of your current and future plans.

High, low, positive, negative – there’s more to your scores than you might think. And depending on where your numbers fall, your lending and credit options will vary. So what is a good credit score? What about a great one? Let’s take a look at the numbers.

How your credit scores are set

Canadian credit scores are officially calculated by two major credit bureaus: Equifax and TransUnion.

They use the information in your credit file to calculate your scores. Factors that are used to calculate your scores include your payment history, how much debt you have and how long you’ve been using credit.

Pro Tip: You can view sample credit scores summaries from each bureau (see Equifax here and TransUnion here) to get a sense of what to expect.

What’s in a number?

In Canada, your credit scores generally range from 300 to 900. The higher the score, the better. High scores may indicate that you’re less likely to default on your repayments if you take out a loan.

Below you’ll see a general breakdown of credit score ranges and what each range means in terms of your general ability to qualify for lending or credit requests, such as a loan or mortgage.

Note that the ranges can vary slightly depending on the provider, but these are the credit score ranges you’ll see on Credit Karma. The best way to know where your scores stand is to check your credit report:

● 800 to 900: Congratulations! You have excellent credit. Keep reaching for the stars.

● 720 to 799: You have very good credit! You should expect to have a variety of credit choices to choose from, so continue your healthy financial habits.

● 650 to 719: This is considered good to lenders. You may not qualify for the lowest interest rates available, but keep your credit history strong to help build your credit health.

● 600 to 649: This is fair credit. History of debt repayment will be important to demonstrate your solid sense of financial responsibility.

● 300 to 599: Your credit needs some work. Keep reading for some improvement suggestions below.

How to go from good to great (or bad to good)

To borrow from Leo Tolstoy, all great credit scores are alike, but all bad credit scores are bad in their own way. That is, ideal credit scores are built on a similar set of healthy financial habits, but your scores can be damaged by any number of factors. There are many different issues that can hurt your credit, such as:

● Late or missed payments.
● Too many (or too few) open credit accounts.
● High credit card balances.
● High balances on loans.
● Too many credit applications.

The first step toward improving your credit health is avoiding getting trapped in the highs and lows of managing your credit.

Heather Battison, vice president of TransUnion Canada explains how consistency is key: “The most important factor for building and maintaining your scores is to pay your bills on time and in full each month. This activity demonstrates your ability to responsibly manage credit and can positively impact your credit scores.”

In Canada, credit scores range from 300 (just getting started) up to 900 points, which is the best score. According to TransUnion, 650 is the magic middle number – a score above 650 will likely qualify you for a standard loan while a score under 650 will likely bring difficulty in receiving new credit.

Lenders who pull your credit bureau file may see a slightly different number than you see when you pull your own file.  This is due to the fact that each creditor applies a specific set of risk rules, giving and taking points for different purposes or preferences. This proprietary method of scoring will make a difference in the final calculation. The score you pull for yourself is calculated using an algorithm created for consumers that approximates these different formulas, and should still be in the same numerical range as the lenders’ scores.

Order your credit report from both credit reporting agencies in Canada – Equifax and TransUnion – at least once per year for free (when requested by mail, fax, telephone, or in person), and you can pay to see your credit score if you choose.

How can a low credit rating affect my life?

Credit scoring is used by lenders, insurers, landlords, employers, and utility companies to evaluate your credit behaviour and assess your creditworthiness.

1. Applying for a loan. Your credit score will be a big factor into the decision of whether you are approved or denied your application for more credit. Your credit score will also affect the interest rate and credit limit offered to you by the new credit grantor – the lower your credit score, the higher the interest rate will be and the lower the credit limit offered  – the reason for this is you are considered more of a credit risk.

2. Applying for a job. A potential employer may ask your permission to check your credit file and based on what they read, they may decide not to hire you due to your poor credit history. Yes, having bad credit could cost you a job!

3. Renting a vehicle. When you sign an application to rent a car, the rental company can check your credit history to determine what their risk may be when they loan you their property. So although you are not applying for credit, the application documents you sign provide your written permission to access your credit information.

4. The same is true when applying for rental housing – the landlord may assess your tenant worthiness and their risk by factoring in your credit rating and score, and they could pass you over for someone with a better credit rating.

What information is used to calculate my credit score, and what factors will lower my score?

If you have tried looking on the consumer reporting agencies’ (CRAs, also know as Credit Bureaus) websites, you have seen they provide VERY little information as to how your credit score is calculated. They believe this information is proprietary and therefore their “secret”. They do, however, provide a list of the main factors which affect your credit score:

1. Payment History
Equifax says: “Pay all of your bills on time. Paying late, or having your account sent to a collection agency has a negative impact on your credit score.”
TransUnion says: “A good record of on-time payments will help boost your credit score.”

2. Delinquencies
Equifax lists: “Serious delinquency; Serious delinquency, and public record or collection field; Time since delinquency is too recent or unknown; Level of delinquency on accounts is too high; Number of accounts with delinquency is too high”
TransUnion lists: “Severity and frequency of derogatory credit information such as bankruptcies, charge-offs, and collections”

3. Balance-to-Limit Ratio
Equifax says: “Try not to run your balances up to your credit limit. Keeping your account balances below 75% of your available credit may also help your score.”
TransUnion says: “Balances above 50 percent of your credit limits will harm your credit. Aim for balances under 30 percent.”

Ok, so avoid maxing out your credit – because if you don’t really need more credit you’ll be able to get it, and if you do really need it then you are more of a risk.(Funny how that works)

4. Recent Inquiries
Equifax says: “Avoid applying for credit unless you have a genuine need for a new account. Too many inquiries in a short period of time can sometimes be interpreted as a sign that you are opening numerous credit accounts due to financial difficulties, or overextending yourself by taking on more debt than you can actually repay. A flurry of inquiries will prompt most lenders to ask you why.”
TransUnion says: “Avoid excessive inquiries. When a lender or business checks your credit, it causes a hard inquiry to your credit file. Apply for new credit in moderation.” 

We begin by asking which credit reporting company is best overall. Is it Experian, Equifax, or Transunion that comes out on top? The answer depends on your perspective. Lenders and consumers have vastly different definitions of quality.

We chose to define best (highest quality) as the credit bureau most closely meeting the standards of accuracy, the speed of updates, ease of dispute handling, and data security.

Most Truthful

The credit bureau that provides the most accurate report is the one closest to being free from error or defect; consistent with a standard; or faithfully representing or describing the truth.

A common courtroom oath provides an outline for balancing precision.

1. The truth – is the information displayed on the report free from error?
2. The whole truth – does everything about a consumer appear in the report?
3. Nothing but the truth – does every item on the report belong to that person?

Lenders and consumers view the accuracy and quality issue very differently.

1. Lenders choose what bureau to use based primarily on the amount of negative information gathered and presented that could pertain to an applicant. Banks and lenders are predisposed to avoid large losses via default. This factor varies most by geography.
2. Consumers view the accuracy issue differently. They want incorrect negative marks removed quickly (faster updates) through a convenient process (easiest disputes). Consumers are predisposed to avoid rejection.

Most Secure

The credit bureau that properly safeguards the sensitive financial data of hundreds of millions of consumers is most secure. A data breach could expose the entire country to identity theft risks.

Equifax was hacked sometime during 2017. In September of that year, they announced that a security breach might have compromised the social security numbers, birth dates, and other personal information of about 143 million U.S. consumers.

Does this mean that Experian and TransUnion are better with their data security? We do not know. We simply know that the hackers penetrated the Equifax network first.

How long good credit information stays on your credit report

The good news is, good credit stays on your report for much longer than bad credit does. Any credit account that was paid off on-time and is in good-standing will stay on your report for upwards of 20 years. 
Sometimes, people believe it’s bad to have past credit history on your account for a long period of time. This isn’t the case. Rather, this is exactly the type of information you do want on your account as it shows a lender you have lots of financial experience and are responsible to manage a loan. A long, positive and on-going credit history is what you should strive for on your credit report.

What type of credit information shows up on your credit report

Whether good or bad, your credit report contains a large amount of information about your past spending and repayment habits. The two credit bureaus in Canada, Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada, have access to this information and use it to determine your creditworthiness — or your credit score.
Here’s the information that shows up on your report:

1. Credit transactions: credit cards and lines of credit
2. Secured loans: mortgages, car leases or personal loans
3. Bank accounts: closed chequing and savings accounts
4. Legal judgements: lawsuits or court rulings
5. Debt collection: if sent to a collection agency
6. Credit inquiries: read our post How Do Credit Checks Impact Your Credit Score to learn more
7. Registered items: a form of security interest granted over an item of property
8. Consumer proposals: the legal agreement between you and a lender

Your credit scores are an important aspect of your financial profile.

They may be used to determine some of the most important financial factors in your life, such as whether or not you’ll be able to lease a vehicle, qualify for a mortgage or even land that cool new job.

And considering 71 percent of Canadian families carry debt in some form (think mortgages, car loans, lines of credit, personal loans or student debt), good credit health should be a part of your current and future plans.

High, low, positive, negative – there’s more to your scores than you might think. And depending on where your numbers fall, your lending and credit options will vary. So what is a good credit score? What about a great one? Let’s take a look at the numbers.

How your credit scores are set

Canadian credit scores are officially calculated by two major credit bureaus: Equifax and TransUnion.

They use the information in your credit file to calculate your scores. Factors that are used to calculate your scores include your payment history, how much debt you have and how long you’ve been using credit.

Pro Tip: You can view sample credit scores summaries from each bureau (see Equifax here and TransUnion here) to get a sense of what to expect.

What’s in a number?

In Canada, your credit scores generally range from 300 to 900. The higher the score, the better. High scores may indicate that you’re less likely to default on your repayments if you take out a loan.

Below you’ll see a general breakdown of credit score ranges and what each range means in terms of your general ability to qualify for lending or credit requests, such as a loan or mortgage.

Note that the ranges can vary slightly depending on the provider, but these are the credit score ranges you’ll see on Credit Karma. The best way to know where your scores stand is to check your credit report:

● 800 to 900: Congratulations! You have excellent credit. Keep reaching for the stars.

● 720 to 799: You have very good credit! You should expect to have a variety of credit choices to choose from, so continue your healthy financial habits.

● 650 to 719: This is considered good to lenders. You may not qualify for the lowest interest rates available, but keep your credit history strong to help build your credit health.

● 600 to 649: This is fair credit. History of debt repayment will be important to demonstrate your solid sense of financial responsibility.

● 300 to 599: Your credit needs some work. Keep reading for some improvement suggestions below.

How to go from good to great (or bad to good)

To borrow from Leo Tolstoy, all great credit scores are alike, but all bad credit scores are bad in their own way. That is, ideal credit scores are built on a similar set of healthy financial habits, but your scores can be damaged by any number of factors. There are many different issues that can hurt your credit, such as:

● Late or missed payments.
● Too many (or too few) open credit accounts.
● High credit card balances.
● High balances on loans.
● Too many credit applications.

The first step toward improving your credit health is avoiding getting trapped in the highs and lows of managing your credit.

Heather Battison, vice president of TransUnion Canada explains how consistency is key: “The most important factor for building and maintaining your scores is to pay your bills on time and in full each month. This activity demonstrates your ability to responsibly manage credit and can positively impact your credit scores.”

It’s also key to remember that your payment history isn’t just about paying your credit card bill. “It also includes things like your cellphone bill,” says Trevor Gillis, associate vice president of account management at TD Credit Cards.

Gillis says building good credit scores is “based on using your credit card responsibly, which means making at least the required monthly minimum payment (if you can’t pay off the balance in full), making your payments by the payment due date and keeping your credit card utilization low.”

Beware of third-party companies that claim they can quickly boost your scores. According to the Office of Consumer Affairs, only your creditors are able to alter the information on your credit file. When it comes to building good credit, there are no shortcuts.

Here’s the good-to-great news: Improving your credit health isn’t only achievable, but also the steps involved can help you establish an overall healthy financial life. Read our tips for everyday ways you can improve your credit health.

Bad credit refers to a person’s poor history of paying their bills on time and the likelihood that they will fail to make timely payments in the future. It is often reflected in a low credit score. Companies can also have bad credit based on their payment history and current financial situation. A person (or company) with bad credit will find it difficult to borrow money, especially at competitive interest rates, because they are considered riskier than other borrowers.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• A person is considered to have bad credit if they have a history of not paying their bills on time or owe too much money.
• Bad credit is often reflected as a low credit score, typically under 580 on a scale of 300 to 850.
• People with bad credit will find it harder to get a loan or obtain a credit card.

Understanding Bad Credit

Most Americans who have ever borrowed money or signed up for a credit card will have a credit file at one or more of the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The information in those files, including how much money they owe and whether they pay their bills on time, is used to compute their credit score, a number that’s intended as a guide to their creditworthiness. The most common credit score in the United States is the FICO score, named for the Fair Isaac Corporation, which devised it.

A FICO score is made up of five major elements:

1. 35%—payment history. This is given the greatest weight. It simply indicates whether the person whose FICO score it is paid their bills on time. Missing by just a few days can count, although the more delinquent the payment, the worse it is considered.
2. 30%—total amount an individual owes. This includes mortgages, credit card balances, car loans, any bills in collections, court judgments, and other debts. What’s especially important here is the person’s credit utilization ratio, which compares how much money they have available to borrow (such as the total limits on their credit cards) to how much they owe at any given time. Having a high credit utilization ratio (say, above 20% or 30%) can be viewed as a danger signal and result in a lower credit score.
3. 15%—length of a person’s credit history.
4. 10%—mix of credit types. This can include mortgages, car loans, and credit cards.
5. 10%—new credit. This includes what someone has recently taken on or applied for.

Examples of Bad Credit

FICO scores range from 300 to 850, and traditionally, borrowers with scores of 579 or lower are considered to have bad credit. According to Experian, about 62% of borrowers with scores at or below 579 are likely to become seriously delinquent on their loans in the future.

Scores between 580 and 669 are labeled as fair. These borrowers are substantially less likely to become seriously delinquent on loans, making them much less risky to lend to than those with bad credit scores. However, even borrowers within this range may face higher interest rates or have trouble securing loans, compared with borrowers who are closer to that top 850 mark.

How to Improve Bad Credit

If you have bad credit (or fair credit), there are steps you can take to get your credit score above 669—and keep it there. Here are some tips for accomplishing that, straight from FICO.

Set up automatic online payments

Do this for all of your credit cards and loans, or at least get on the email or text reminder lists provided by the lenders. This will help ensure that you pay at least the minimum on time every month.

Beware of advertised “quick fixes” to your credit score. FICO warns that there’s no such thing.

Pay down credit card debt

Make payments above the minimum due whenever possible. Set a realistic repayment goal and work toward it gradually. Having high total credit card debt damages your credit score and paying more than the minimum due can help raise it.

Check interest rate disclosures

Credit card accounts provide these disclosures. Focus on paying off the highest-interest debt fastest. This will free up the most cash, which you can then begin to apply to other, lower-interest debts.

Keep unused credit card accounts open

Don’t close your unused credit card accounts. And don’t open new accounts that you don’t need. Either move can damage your credit score.

If bad credit has made it difficult for you to get a regular credit card, consider applying for a secured credit card. It is similar to a bank debit card, in that it allows you to spend only the amount you have on deposit. Having a secured card and making timely payments on it can help you rebuild a bad credit rating and eventually qualify for a regular card. It also is a good way for young adults to begin to establish a credit history.