Your credit score is the single most important factor determining whether you'll get approved for a mortgage, car loan, credit card, insurance... AND, even if you do get approved, the score will determine what the interest rate will be. Bad credit score = higher rate. In other words, ignoring your credit score could cost you money!
Don't walk into a car dealership or a mortgage banker's office or a credit card application blind. Know - and understand - your credit score. Thankfully, you can take a look at your money reputation by getting your credit score along with a copy of your credit report.
Your credit report has all the juicy details that creditors are sharing with each other about you. What bills have you been late on? How free and loose are you with credit cards? Are you are a good risk, someone who can be trusted with other people's money?
You can order your credit report online and receive it instantly from TrueCredit.com, and Experian's CreditExpert.com. Be sure you choose the option that gives your credit score too. More than likely, this will cost you about $15. Shop around for what's the best deal for you. Your credit score may be slightly different at each, but until you know there's a problem, one credit report should do you.
So where did this credit score come from, and how's it used to determine if you can get a loan or credit approval?
Once upon a time, lenders kept this credit score secret from consumers. But in 2001, congress made it possible for you to see your FICO score. (FICO refers to the Fair Isaac Company software that is used to determine the score.)...
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