Finimpact

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

Why is my credit score staying the same?

The most common reasons that your credit score is staying the same are:

  • Your score simply hasn't been updated yet
  • Your credit utilization is too high (so pay down your balance)
  • Your credit history is too young (have patience as this takes time)
  • You have been the victim of identity theft or fraud (check your credit score often and your credit report at least once per year)
  • You need to add more credit to your credit mix
  • There is something inaccurate on your credit report that needs correcting
  • You have late or missing payments (this is the most significant contributor to a low credit score)
  • You are applying for new credit too often
How often are credit reports and credit scores updated?

Your credit score is updated periodically when creditors report your recent credit activity to the bureaus. In the least, you can anticipate your score to rise or drop, even by just a few points, every 30 to 45 days. However, a drop of just a few points in any given month is no reason to be concerned, especially if you see it move back in the other direction the following month. But if you see your credit score drop a few points every month without turning around, this could mean you need to correct data on your credit report, have missed payments, or are spending more than 30% of your available credit.

Why does my credit score change with one reporting agency but not another?

It can be frustrating to see different scores amongst each of the three credit bureaus. But you should know that lenders report credit information to the credit bureaus at different times. This can result in one credit reporting agency having more up-to-date (or outdated) information than another. You should also know that credit bureaus may store, record, or display the same information in different ways. But don't worry, as many potential creditors look at your average credit score amongst all three bureaus when determining your creditworthiness.

Why is my credit score not going up after paying off my credit card?

If you pay your credit card off on Wednesday, do not expect to see a change that following Monday. Your creditor can take 30 to 45 days to report your new zero balance to the credit bureaus. But don't worry; that information will eventually get updated, and you will see your credit score climb, provided no harmful activity has transpired during that same time frame. Also, after you pay off your credit card, avoid the desire to close out the account. Keeping that credit card open can help with your utilization.

About the Authors

Ann Bloomquist

Written by: Ann Schreiber

Seasoned Copywriter & Content Marketer

Ann have been a marketer and a content writer for over 20 years. She have worked for financial institutions such as FICO, Experian, and BlueChip Financial as a director of content and brand marketing.

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