 | Now that all my bills are paid on time, and I'm debt free, how do I raise my credit score? |
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Question: Now that all my bills are paid on time, and I'm debt free, how do I raise my credit score?I rent, and pay all my bills on time including electric, phone, etc, and I paid off all my student loans in full. I have a 403b at work where I contribute 10% of my pay check. But what else can I do? I haven't been able to open a line of credit because of past delinquency on a card (which is now paid in full and closed). My credit score is right around 620.
Answer: -620 is fair credit.Maybe the problem is you now don’t have enough credit.If that’s the problem, try getting a secured credit card.Make sure you check and see what the services charges are, some are outrageous.Look around find one that will work for you.After you get your card (lets just say it has a $300.00 limit) only use 50% or $150.00 and make the payments before they due. DON”T BE LATE! If you use more than 50% of your credit limit, your credit scores could go down.Another way you can try is get on someone’s (a GOOD friend or relative) department store or gas card account as a card user only (you won’t be responsible for there debt). Be sure this person has good credit and make all payments on time, if they don’t this will work against you.Every month when the credit is reported you will receive the benefit of your friends good payment history. That in turn will raise your credit scores and make new credit more available to you. -I agree with Excellent Credit Service. Your score isn't going to improve if you have no open trade lines reporting. You may have to get a credit card from a company like Orchard or one of those with a $300.00 limit. That or have a friend add you on to one their cards as a user. You can also try to open a credit account with a furniture or jewelry store. They are sometimes easier to open. Bottom line is you are going to have to get something reporting to the credit bureaus. Your utility companies don't usually report your credit unless you have late payments or collections with them, so paying them isn't helping your score, neither is your 403b.
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