Credit Resources
What is a FICO score?
The FICO score is a number that summarizes your credit risk. Lenders use it to make credit decisions, such as the interest rate you get when you apply for a loan.
Understanding FICO scores
FICO scores range from 300-850, the higher the better.
Download the Understand FICO Scores PDF from myFICO and gain invaluable information about how your FICO score impacts your life and your financial decisions.
Improving Your Score
Follow these simple recommendations to get back on track:
- Check your credit report - Request a free copy from annualcreditreport.com. Check for any errors, incorrect late payments or incorrect amounts owed. If any errors are found make sure you report the errors right away to the credit bureau and the reporting agency.
- Make your payments on time – Setup reminders or even better, setup automatic payments if necessary to ensure timely payments.
- Reduce the amount of debt you owe – Do not exceed more than 50% of your available credit per card. Easier said than done, but once you achieve this, it'll make you feel super-duper!
Fixing Your Credit
Errors do not disappear on their own. This is why you must act quickly and contact the appropriate credit bureau regarding the error.
| Equifax: | (800) 685-1111 P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374 www.equifax.com |
| TransUnion: | (800) 888-4213 P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19022 www.transunion.com |
| Experian: | (888) 397-3742 P.O. Box 2104 Allen, TX 75013 www.experian.com |
By law, they have 30 days to investigate and respond to your complaint.
