Short answerA credit score runs from 300 to 850 and sums up your borrowing history. Paying on time and keeping balances low build it. Late payments and maxed-out cards hurt it. No company can legitimately erase accurate history.
What a credit score is
A credit score predicts how likely you are to repay borrowed money. Lenders check it for cards, auto loans, and mortgages. Higher means cheaper borrowing.
The two big scoring brands are FICO and VantageScore. Both use the 300 to 850 range for their main scores. Your bank may show one for free.
What builds it
- Paying every bill on time. Payment history carries the most weight.
- Keeping card balances low next to their limits.
- Keeping old accounts open. Length of history helps.
- Using a mix of account types over time.
What hurts it
Late or missed payments. A payment 30 days late can stay on your report for years.
High balances. Maxed-out cards signal risk to lenders.
Too many new applications at once. Each hard inquiry dings the score a little.
Ignoring a bill sent to collections. Deal with those directly and in writing.
No quick fixes
Companies that promise to erase accurate negative history are selling hope, not help. You can dispute errors yourself for free with each bureau.
Real improvement comes from months of on-time payments. Slow and steady is the whole trick.
How to check yours
Many banks and card apps show your score for free. Checking your own score never hurts it. Look monthly, not daily.