What Happens to Your Credit Score When You Close a Card?
Closing a card can change your available credit, but the effect depends on your whole credit file. Here is what to weigh before making the call.
3 min read
Topic
Credit Score
Can Becoming an Authorized User Help Your Credit?
Being added to another person's card may help establish a credit history, but reporting and scoring vary. Know what to ask before joining.
3 min read
Does Paying a Collection Improve Your Credit Score?
Paying a collection can change how it appears on your report, but the score effect depends on the model and the rest of your file.
3 min read
Credit Freeze vs. Fraud Alert
A freeze limits access to your credit report for new accounts; a fraud alert asks lenders to verify identity. Both are free, but setup differs.
3 min read
Why Your Credit Scores Differ Across Apps and Lenders
Different apps and lenders can show different legitimate scores. The bureau, scoring model, version, and calculation date may all differ.
3 min read
Hard vs. Soft Credit Inquiries
Hard and soft inquiries both record access to a credit file, but they serve different purposes and affect scoring differently.
3 min read
How to Dispute a Credit Report Error
An inaccurate credit report entry can be disputed with the reporting bureau and the company that supplied it. Keep records and check the result.
3 min read
How to Raise Your Credit Score: 7 Steps That Work
Paying on time and lowering card balances do most of the work. Seven practical steps to raise your credit score, and a realistic sense of how long each takes.
4 min read
How to Check Your Credit Score for Free
Free weekly credit reports, free scores from your bank or card issuer, and what to watch for so a 'free' score doesn't turn into a paid subscription.
3 min read
Understanding Credit Score
What goes into a credit score, how FICO and VantageScore differ, and which factors you can change quickly versus the ones that only improve with time.
3 min read
Creditworthiness: What Lenders Look at Besides Your Score
Your credit score opens the door, but lenders also weigh income, existing debt, job history and collateral. Here's how they size you up, and how to improve your odds.
3 min read
Do Bank Accounts Affect Your Credit Score?
Your checking and savings accounts aren't part of your credit score, but overdrafts sent to collections are, and there are a few ways to make on-time bill payments count.
3 min read
The ABCs of Credit Scores: Ranges, Myths and Who Checks Yours
What counts as a good credit score, who looks at yours besides lenders, and six common myths that cost people points or money.
3 min read