You would think that obtaining what your FICO credit score is would be easily found in your credit burea report. But, if you have reviewed your credit report, your FICO credit score is nowhere to be seen. It’s almost as if the credit bureau is hiding it. Well, they are, and they want you to pay them for it. There is an alternative.
For many years, your FICO credit rating was a well-guarded secret known only to bankers and lenders. With the FACT Act, legislators decided that it was important for us to know not only what their personal credit ratings are but how those scores are calculated so we could figure out how to improve them.
The proven company that calculates your credit score is the Field, Isaac Company commonly referred to as FICO. They created the concept of FICO scores as a credit guage. They are the undisputed experts in the industry and are used by the vast majority of lenders and credit bureaus.
Here are some facts about your FICO score that you need to know:
… FICO scores are an accurate snapshot of your credit history.
… Scoring ranges from a low of 300 to a high of 850.
… Most loan companies make decisions based on FICO scoring.
… The higher your score, the lower your interest rate on borrowing.
Just so you know where you stand, the average FICO score in the United States is 723. This is considered acceptable but not outstanding. Our FICO score, for example, is 828 and allows us access to almost any credit we desire. It’s a powerful tool when used wisely.
As stated, FICO scores range between 300 and 850. Here is what this means to you:
… Score over 750: Excellent rating. You will obtain credit easily.
… Score 720 or more: Good rating: You will get credit fairly easily.
… Score 660 to 720: Acceptable rating: You can get loans. You may pay a higher interest rate.
… 620 to 660: Borderline rating: You will make lenders a little hesitant about trusting you.
… Under 620: Poor rating. You are high risk and may need a co-signer to get credit.
You also need to know that FICO scores are generally calculated (by percentage) by looking at your performance in five general credit categories:
1. Your repayment history is 35% of the scoring.
2. The amounts you owe account for 30%.
3. How long, in years, you have had credit is about 15%.
4. How much credit you have applied for and secured is another 10%.
5. The type of credit such as: credit cards, store cards, personal loans, etc. is 10%.
Simply, your FICO credit score is a condensed view of your credit use. Think of it as a judgment of your creditworthiness over the prior seven years of your financial history. Make no mistake, the large majority of financial sources based acceptance or rejection almost entirely on your credit score. This is your Report Card, if you will, of your performance in personal finance.
While you can get a free annual credit report, your FICO score comes at a price. If you want to find out your FICO credit rating, you will have to pay for it.
You can get it from each of the three major credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. But, there is a catch here, too. Each bureau has its own version of your FICO scoring based on the credit history they have on file for you. Each report will be a little different so you should get all three.
Now, their charge is not exhorbitant, usually only $15 or $20 for each. So, if you are serious about increasing your FICO credit score, it will be well worth the small investment to get all three scores with your credit reports. This way you can see what factors need to be corrected in order to fix your credit history and get a higher FICO score.
There is an easier and less costly way to get all three scores. Field, Isaac Company has the only website offering all 3 of your FICO scores in one place for one fee. Or, you can also go to MyFico.com and get your FICO scores directly from them. They will offer you a free 30 day trial membership which will get your credit scores upon signup and then, if you wish to continue the membership, it will update the score as it fluctuates up or down.
There is one other avenue. If you are applying for a home mortgage you will be told your FICO credit score. Sometimes this is offered for free by the mortgage lender! However, just like other lenders, the mortgage broker will also make their decision and apply an interest rate to your loan based on what your FICO number is.
I hope you can see why it’s important to fix your credit history and improve your FICO score to above 750.
Raising your credit score rating to 750 and more yourself is easily done. Get the information you need here ==> credit report with credit score or here ==> low credit scores . Jim DeSantis, Editor, OnLine Tribune.
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