Do inquiries affect my credit score?

Inquiries have a relatively small impact on your credit score.

The only inquiries that might affect your credit score are those initiated by you for specific credit transactions including mortgage, credit card, auto applications, and insurance.

Multiple inquiries that may occur when shopping for the best rates should not lower your credit score. Most of the methods used by the credit bureaus involve steps that make sure your score will not be negatively affected.

 

What is VantageScore?

VantageScore is the only model to be developed jointly by all three national credit reporting companies.

VantageScore 2.0 was created using  data blended  from two different timeframes, and pulled from the most recent lending environment, 2006-2008 and 2007-2009. It uses a national sample of anonymous credit information of approximately 15 million consumers.

The VantageScore ranges from 990 to 501 and it is grouped as follows:

  • A: 901-990
  • B: 801-900
  • C: 701-800
  • D: 601-700
  • F: 501-600

Credit Reporting Agencies

The three main credit reporting agencies are:

Lenders and insurance companies can access the information reported by either or all of the credit reporting agencies before they provide you with rates and terms for your loan or auto, home or business insurance. Not all lenders and insurance companies use the reports from all three agencies. Continue reading Credit Reporting Agencies

Factors Impacting Your Credit Score

The following factors have an impact on your Credit Score. The credit reporting agencies use them as basis in their calculations.

  • 24-month review of your credit report and history of payment punctuality: DYK? even late payments on medical or cable and phone bills may affect your Credit Score
  • the total amount of your available credit: DYK? keeping your available credit higher than your debt helps improving your Credit Score
  • the total amount and the type of debt you have: DYK? real estate loans paid on-time may improve your Credit Score
  • the number of open and active accounts: DYK? most of the store credit cards report your credit / debit and payment history information which may have an impact on your Credit Score
  • the longevity of your relationship with your creditors: DYK? the longer your good standing relationship with your creditors, the better for your Credit Score