14 Lies About Credit Scores That Are Hurting Your Wallet

Credit scores are only three-digit numbers, but they have a mighty impact on our lives.

A bad score can upend a rental application, deprive you of the best rates on a credit card, or even cause a Saturday night date to think twice about pursuing a relationship.

Your credit score can tell you a lot about where you stand and even eliminate some money stress . But if you want to truly understand your credit standing, it’s important to avoid falling for the following credit score lies.

1. You have only one credit score

You likely have many different credit scores. The FICO score is most commonly used, but other scores include the VantageScore and many others.

2. Checking your score lowers it

When a lender checks your credit score, it sometimes causes your score to dip. But when you look at your own score, it has no impact on the score.

3. Carrying a credit card balance boosts your credit score

Carrying a balance from month to month will usually cost you money, and it will not boost your score.

Carrying a balance can be expensive, with some creditors charging annual percentage rates of 25%. Additionally, holding high levels of debt can increase your overall debt-to-credit ratio, which can hurt your score.

Many people find that it’s best to pay their balance in full each month whenever possible.

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4. Your salary impacts your credit score

Your credit score has nothing to do with your income. Of course, having more income may make it easier for you to pay your bills on time, which can help your credit score.

5. All rich people have high credit scores

The rich do not have universally high credit scores. They can just as easily fall into hardship or fail to meet their financial obligations as those who are less wealthy.

Rich folks miss payments just like anybody else. In other cases, they might run up high balances, which can also cause their score to fall.

6. Your race or gender can impact your credit score

Race, gender, and the ZIP code where you live have nothing to do with your credit score.

Here are some of the factors that determine your number:

• Your bill-paying history
• The amount of unpaid debt you carry
• The number and type of open loans
• Your debt-to-income ratio
• The length of time your accounts have been open
• The number of new credit applications you have recently submitted
• Bankruptcies, judgments, liens, or debts in collection

7. Teens don’t need to worry about credit scores

At some point later in life, your children will apply for their first credit card. It makes sense to instill good borrowing and spending habits long before that day arrives.

You might even want to add your teen to your credit card account as an authorized user . While teens typically don't have credit scores until they turn 18, they can have a credit report at a younger age.

So, allowing your teen to spend on your card as an authorized user can help them build a solid credit history and good spending habits.

8. Employers can see my credit score

Employers do not have a right to see your credit score. They can pull your credit history if you agree to let them do so. Otherwise, they do not have a right to look at your credit report.

9. Getting married can lower my credit score

When you marry, you and your spouse will keep your separate credit scores. Credit bureaus do not merge those numbers. A credit report is issued at the individual consumer level and is not assigned jointly to couples.

However, if your spouse has poor credit and you jointly apply for a loan, the spouse’s low score can indeed hurt you during the application process. You might not be approved for the loan, or you might be saddled with a higher interest rate if you are approved.

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10. Using debit cards can help my credit score

Paying for items with a debit card will not boost your credit score. These cards are tied to the money you have in your bank account and do not prove you can pay back debts you owe.

11. Using a prepaid card helps my credit score

Using a prepaid card — even with a Visa logo — will not help your credit score. In essence, a prepaid card simply represents your own money loaded onto a card. As with a debit card, prepaid cards do not indicate your capacity for repaying debts.

12. Taking out a payday loan will help raise my score

Most payday lenders do not report to the credit bureaus, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

However, if you do not make payments on this type of loan, it could end up in collections. And that could hurt your score.

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13. Closing unused credit cards is good for my credit score

Cleaning up your credit profile may streamline your finances, but closing a credit card account can negatively impact your credit utilization ratio.

By closing an unused card, you are lowering your total available credit. If you carry debt, having less available credit overall could result in a dip in your credit score.

14. You can pay companies to quickly repair your credit

Only the passage of time and good credit management will improve your credit score, says the CFPB. Quick-fix schemes that promise to help you build your net worth by repairing your credit might be scams.

If you’re too overwhelmed to get your credit sorted out by yourself, consider working with a credit counselor.

To find a reputable counselor, the CFPB recommends contacting the Financial Counseling Association of America or the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

Bottom line

Before you fall for one of these credit-score lies, it’s time to wise up. Keep a close eye on your credit report and talk to a credit counselor if you need more help.

Avoid the myths and try to get out of debt , pay your bills on time, and rein in spending.

Money tips that can work for everyone

No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.

Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.

Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.

Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).