What affects my Credit Score?

    Your credit report scores are based on factors that appear in your credit reports:

• Bill payment history (Good: on time and for the full amount)
• Total outstanding debt (Good: non-mortgage loan payments less than 5% of gross income)
• Types of debt (Good: mortgage, car loans, Bad: high credit card debt)
• Length of credit history (Good: 3 or more years of on time payments)
• Credit inquiries (Bad: many rejected applications)

How are credit scores calculated?  

Your credit report scores are based on factors that appear in your credit reports:

• Bill payment history (Good: on time and for the full amount)
• Total outstanding debt (Good: non-mortgage loan payments less than 5% of gross income)
• Types of debt (Good: mortgage, car loans, Bad: high credit card debt)
• Length of credit history (Good: 3 or more years of on time payments)
• Credit inquiries (Bad: many rejected applications)

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) prohibits certain factors from being used in determining your credit report score:

• Personal details such as sex, marital status, age, race, national origin, or because you receive public assistance income
• Sources of income such as regular alimony, child support, or separate maintenance payments

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act provides actions for you to take if you suspect unauthorized factors are being used to deny you credit.