Make a Good Credit Report and Start Getting a Good Credit Score!
Both credit report and credit score play an equally important role in your financial dealings. Although closely related to each other, they have certain differences. It is really very important that you keep yourself aware of these differences because these two things are an inevitable part of your financial world.
The basic differences between credit report and credit score are:
1. Meaning
The credit report is a database of all your dealings which includes each and every task associated with your finances.
On the other hand, credit score is a numeric value derived from the credit report which actually indicates the risk factor associated with your finances. Credit score shows whether you are a creditworthy person or not.
2. Cost
Another small difference is that credit report doesn’t cost any money whereas credit score involves money.
3. Interdependence
Credit report has nothing to do with credit score, whereas credit score totally depends on the credit report information. If the credit report changes, the credit score will also automatically change.
Generally, credit report information contains the following details:
- All your payment details
- How long you have been into this credit world. Your credit history.
- Any credit activity done in the recent past.
- Variety of credits used by you.
- Your personal information
- The details of your employer you worked earlier with as well as the details of your current employer you are working with.
- Bankruptcies.
- Loans and debts to be paid.
Here are a few points which will help you in understanding credit score as these act as determinants of the credit score.
- Record of All the Payments: Delay in payment, under payment, missing out payments can help in lowering your credit score.
- Credit Amount: The amount of credit you are using and the amount which is there in your hand is also a key factor in determining your credit score.
- Duration of Credit Account: The duration from the opening of your account to the present time also determines your credit score. If your credit account is an old one, you would get higher credit score compared to a person who has his account for a short period of time.
- Credit Inquiries: Hard credit inquiries are done by creditors that indicate little bit of suspicion on your creditworthiness. It can result in low credit score.
- Stability and Responsibility: Being stable in one job for more than two years indicates your stability and keeping your payments clear and smooth indicates your responsibility which will help you to gain good credit score.
Overall, it is very important on your part to understand all the pros and cons associated with your credit report and credit score. Thorough checking of your credit report and credit score should always be remembered when you are going to apply for a loan or any kind of credit. Understanding credit score will enable you to establish yourself as a creditworthy person in every way.