How to Optimize a Credit Score
A credit score is the most important piece of data about you in the eyes of the business world. A high credit score qualifies you for the lowest interest rates and the best prices on cars, houses and other large purchases. A low credit score can adversely affect your purchasing power, meaning you pay the highest interest rates and spend considerably more money on big tickets items than your high-scoring counterparts. You can improve your credit score by 100 to 200 points by following a few simple steps.
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Instructions
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Know your credit score and understand where it falls in the big picture. The lowest number is roughly 300 while the highest is 850. The best way to learn your credit score is to access a credit bureau or credit reporting agency online and run a free introductory credit report.
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2
Identify any errors on the report and write explanations about them. Present these explanations to the credit bureau for them to investigate.
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3
Ask for a letter of deletion from any collection agency you have paid off in cleaning up your credit report. When you pay a collection debt, your account activity date is reset and makes it appear as a new line of credit. You can use the letter of deletion to prove you paid it off rather than opening a new line of credit. Paying off a collection debt without such a letter could lower your credit score.
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4
Pay your bills on time. Late payments can prompt your creditors to raise your interest rates and shorten your grace periods.
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Ask each of your credit card companies what your credit reporting dates are for your accounts. These are the dates when credit card companies report payment data to credit reporting agencies. Then ask your creditors to change your due date to be a few days prior to the reporting date. By having your credit account reported to the agencies right after you have made a payment each month, your balance will always be at its lowest level, helping increase your credit score.
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Contact your credit card companies to ask if they will raise your limits. This helps your ratio to be less than 30 percent. For instance, you have a card with a limit of $1,000 and you owe $700. Ask for an increase to $2,500 which will make your ratio less than 30 percent and help raise your credit score.
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7
Learn your credit card ratios. Figure out what you owe on each account, then calculate 30 percent of that total. Your balance needs to be less than this figure. Carrying balances below the 30 percent mark will help increase your credit rating.
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