Minnesota consumers are always happy to see their credit scores jump. If this happens to you – unexpectedly – you don’t want to question it. However, you might like to know how it happened, especially if you’re working to improve your credit. After all, part of the credit repair process involves figuring out what helps and what harms credit scores. First, congratulations to all of the Minnesotans whose credit scores have recently jumped. Give yourselves well-deserved pats on the backs. Now, let’s take a look at some reasons why your credit may have improved.
The most Common Reasons why Minnesota Consumers may see Sudden Increases in their Credit Scores
If you’re a Minnesotan who suddenly has a higher credit score, consider the boost a reward for good credit management. Specifically, one of the following this has probably happened.
You’ve lowered your credit card utilization rate.
If you’re using too much of your available credit, your credit score can drop. This can happen even if you’re paying your bills on time. Why? Carrying high credit card balances makes lenders think that you’re relying on credit to live beyond your means. So, a good rule of thumb is to use no more than 30% of your available credit at any given time.
If you were carrying high balances for a while, but have paid them down recently, your credit score probably jumped. If this is the case, your new goal is to keep up the good work. Keep your spending in check and an eye on your credit card balances. Minnesota consumers who keep their credit card utilization rates low are more likely to hold onto higher credit scores.
Your positive credit history has had a birthday.
When it comes to credit histories, older is better than newer. So, Minnesotans who have long histories of accounts in good standing typically have better credit scores. If you have positive items on your credit reports that have reached a certain age, your credit score has probably jumped. Why? This shows lenders that you’ve practiced good credit habits for a substantial amount of time. It makes you a good credit risk.
With this in mind, it’s good to think twice before closing accounts in good standing. Even if you seldom use a particular credit card, think about keeping it around. If it has a positive payment history attached to it, it can help your credit score in two ways. First, it’s the type of older account that looks good on your credit reports. Second, getting rid of it will reduce the amount of your available credit and this could bring your credit score down.
A negative credit report item has expired and vanished.
Many Minnesota consumers have experienced at least a minor bump in their credit histories. Maybe you missed a payment or two, allowed an account to go to debt collections, or even declared bankruptcy. Whatever is the case, the good news is that all negative items eventually fall off credit reports. Typically, black marks disappear within 7-10 years from the date they were originally reported to the credit bureaus.
If you’re one of the Minnesotans who has learned from past mistakes and mended your ways, it is highly likely that a credit score boost is the result of a negative item falling off your credit reports. Now, as long as you continue with your improved habits, there’s nowhere for your credit score to go but up.
You’ve opened a new credit card account or installment loan.
When Minnesota consumers open new credit card accounts or installment loans, two negative things happen. First, an authorized hard inquiry on your credit report causes you to temporarily lose a few credit score points. Next, the new account reduces the overall age of your positive credit history. However, with certain kinds of new accounts, the good can outweigh the bad when it comes to credit scores.
For example, a new credit card account increases the amount of your available credit and reduces your utilization rate. On the other hand, if you had no installment loans on your credit reports, and you add one, your “credit mix” improves. Because 10% of your credit score is based on your credit mix, it can jump with the addition of a car, personal, or home loan.
Another way that Minnesotans can give their Credit Scores a Boost
If, like a lot of Minnesota consumers, you’re looking for additional ways to improve your credit score, checking your credit reports for errors is a good start. Most people don’t realize that about 80% of consumer credit reports contain inaccuracies of some type. Unfortunately, many of these mistakes are harmful to credit scores.
To make sure that your credit reports are error-free, check them at least every 12 months. Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), you are entitled to do this for free. Just go to www.annualcreditreport.com, and request copies of your credit report from TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian.
Minnesota residents who find mistakes on their credit reports can get a FREE credit repair lawyer to dispute them and get them removed. Give us a call at Minnesota Credit Lawyers, and we’ll be happy to review your credit reports and check for any errors that might be bringing your credit score down. Again, this service, like all of our services, costs consumers nothing out of pocket.
The Free and Legal way to Get Better Credit
Don’t let errors on your credit reports bring your credit score down. At Minnesota Credit Repair Lawyers, we’ve been cleaning up credit reports for consumers since 2008 for free. How do we do it? The law allows us to collect our fees and costs from the defendants in any successful action. This is why our clients pay nothing for the work we do.
Let’s start the conversation about what we can do for your credit. Set up your free consultation today by calling Attorney Gary Nitzkin at (612)235-4458 or sending him a message through our contact page.
