1. How to Improve Your Credit Score
Economics Unit 5, Lesson 2
How to Improve Your Credit Score
FICO
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2. FICO Score
FICO Scores are calculated from a lot of different credit data in your credit report. This data can be grouped into five categories as outlined below. The percentages in the chart reflect how important each of the categories is in determining your FICO score.
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Adapted from MYFICO

3. Payment History
Account payment information on credit cards, retail accounts, installment loans, mortgage, etc.
Presence of adverse public records (bankruptcy, judgments, suits, liens, wage attachments, etc.)
Delinquency (past due items)
Severity of delinquency (how long past due)
Number of past due items on file
Number of accounts paid as agreed
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4. Amounts Owed Amount owing on accounts Number of accounts with balances
Proportion of credit lines used (proportion of balances to total credit limits on certain types of revolving accounts)
Proportion of installment loan amounts still owing (proportion of balance to original loan amount on certain types of installment loans)
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5. Length of Credit History
Length of time accounts have been opened
Length of time since any activity on accounts
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6. New Credit Number of accounts recently opened
Number of recent credit inquiries for new accounts
Time since last credit inquiry
Re-establishment of a positive credit history following past payment problems
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7. Types of Credit Used
Number of different types of accounts such as credit cards, retail accounts, installment loans, and mortgage
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8. Video Watch the short video segment on improving your credit score.
Many things are based on your credit score, not just getting credit. Your ability to rent a home or an apartment or what you will pay for insurance depends on it as well.
Optional video
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