why does a credit score...?
406497
There are 2 types of credit inquiries, Hard, such as when you apply for credit, and soft, when you are just accessing the credit information.  To get your credit score, and avoid a hard inquiry, go to each of the 3 major credit bureaus websites (experian.com, equifax.com and transunion.com) and do a SINGLE bureau report with score.  They run approx. $15.00 each
1174120
I believe fatwallet.com has info about this.  I believe, not positive, that the hard credit score means they pull your report as an inquiry instead of viewing for updates.  When making a purchase such as a mortgage or lease a hard hit is made.  When you have a credit card - periodic checks are done by your creditor to make sure your score or credit status hasn't changed drastically.  Some credit cards will raise the rate if your delinquent on any other bills, but it isn't considered a hard hit when they check you credit like this..  There is a name for this type of credit check but I can't think of the name. Hope this helps.  Like I said I am not positive.  Check out the website though fatwallet.com..... I read some forums there earlier about this subject.  There is a list of companies that pull these.  Not an extensive list - but list.....
1023256
Equifax & Experian together. They both show up different types of credit history! One always seems to score better than the other!
464473
They probably check your credit to make sure that you're not late all the time or something similar.  Your annual income is probably one of the biggest factors assuming that you don't have a spotty credit history.
23261
There is no clear cut answer to this question. Your credit score is not good at all. No matter what card or loan that you apply for, you will end up paying higher interest rates. \n\nThe best way to get lower rates is to increase your credit score. To increase your score, pay your bills on time, stop charging as much as you do now, and try to pay off as many cards as possible.
48916
You didn't really ask a question, but it seems to me that you would do well to establish a better credit score. The link below gives a lot of good information on how to do that.
587402
Ha ha that guy was funny!  Anyway..........I went on myfico.com and paid the $50 or so bucks to order all three credit reports.  It will show you what is on your reports.  Then it has an interactive area where it can give suggestions on how to improve your scores.  For example, it showed me that if I paid off one of my credit cards, it would raise my score 100 points.  I did and it worked.  I also found several discrepancies on my reports and the program generates a letter for you to each agency telling them what you want to dispute and most of the times they will just remove the item from your report, raising your scores.  After fixing several things on my reports, my scores jumped.  I bought a house the first time I applied for a loan, just after a year of working on my credit scores.  You also need to get references so make sure you are being a good renter!  A little prayer wouldn't hurt either.  Good luck and God Bless!
1007792
if you have alot of credit cards then close a couple... too much credit is just as bad as not enough credit.....      if you only have a few credit cards then keep them open.......  it raises your fico score....
853749
That's because of the privacy laws.  You have to have some "interest" in order to pull a credit score or credit report - like you're a landlord or something, doing the credit check for underwriting reasons.  And you aren't going to get it for free, because the companies that compile the information at THEIR cost, do it to sell to others, that's how they make THEIR money.
317585
One credit pull should only have a slight effect on your credit score.  True this matters more if you are on the border of a score category.\n\nThe good news is that the effect should not last very long.
205963
I'm in the same boat as you. Each time you payoff or remove a negative debt from your credit report your score increases. it may however take a while before you notice the difference. Every on time, early, late, or non-payment makes a difference. Shoot for the first two since they have the best outcome. Good luck!
22870
I can speak from experience here.  I do not have a very high score I think it is in the low 600's.  I think the main reason is that people are still able to get credit while having a score this low.  You may have to pay a higher interest rate but you can still get a car and a house.  I know I have a mortgage and I just refinanced for a slightly lower fixed rate at 4.5% interest.  I don't think that is too bad for someone with below average credit.  We all should care more about our credit. We just have champagne taste on a Boone's Farm budget.
1039998
Only use will improve your credit score. If you don't use it, it still appears on your credit, but doesn't have a negative or positive rating on your score. It just shows as an open line that you have.
298605
Most of the people answering in the credit section have no clue about FICO credit scoring.\n\nIf you have a "dormant" (your term) credit card that you have had for a long time and it is not reporting any late payment then having that account and not using it will be a positive factor for your score. The thought that you can have too many cards and that is risky isn't proven in the credit scoring model used by FICO. People who get into trouble usually carry balances on all their cards. If you have lots of accounts with zero balances that shows credit responsibility.\n\nFrom a practical standpoint having 3-6 revolving accounts(with near zero balances) and 1-2 installment accounts(car, mortgage) will be "optimal" for attaining an Excellent credit score (720+) If you have more revolving accounts then you might consider which ones you don't ever use and close them.\n\nGood Luck
1018948
The most commonly used credit score in US is the FICO score. Scores can range between 300 and 850, depending on your credit history (on-time payments, debt ratios, etc.). According to an ad that runs frequently on Yahoo's home page, 678 is the average score across the entire US.
24921
Your credit score indicates that you have problems using credit.  So it is risky to lend you money.  If lenders put their money at risk they want a high return(interest) for it.\n\nThe good news is that when you work through your debt you will be eligible for better terms.  Your first step should probably be to see a credit counselor.
134462
FICO Scores and Mortgage Underwriting Decisions\n\nFICO scores are only "guidelines" and factors other than FICO scores affect underwriting decisions. Some examples of compensating factors that will make an underwriter more lenient toward lower FICO scores can be a larger down payment, low debt-to-income ratios, an excellent history of saving money, and others. There also may be a reasonable explanation for items on the credit history which negatively impact your credit score.\n\nThey Don't Always Make Sense\n\nEven so, sometimes credit scores do not seem to make any sense at all. One borrower with a completely flawless credit history had a FICO score below 600. One borrower with a foreclosure on her credit report had a FICO above 780.\n\nPortfolio & Sub-Prime Lenders\n\nFinally, there are a few "portfolio" lenders who do not even look at credit scoring, at least on their portfolio loans. A portfolio lender is usually a savings & loan institution who originates some adjustable rate mortgages that they intend to keep in their own portfolio instead of selling them in the secondary mortgage market. They may look at home loans differently. Some concentrate on the value of the home. Some may concentrate more on the savings history of the borrower. There are also "sub-prime" lenders, or "B & C paper" lenders, who will provide a home loan, but at a higher interest rate and cost.\n\nRunning Credit Reports\n\nOne thing to remember when you are shopping for a home loan is that you should not let numerous mortgage lenders run credit reports on you. Wait until you have a reasonable expectation that they are the lender you are going to use to obtain your home loan. Not only will you have to explain any credit inquiries in the last ninety days, but numerous inquiries will lower your FICO score by a small amount. This may not matter if your FICO is 780, but it would matter to you if it is 642.\n\nDon't Buy A Car Just Before Looking for a Home!\n\nIn conclusion, a word of advice not directly related to FICO scores. When people begin to think about the possibility of buying a home, they often think about buying other big ticket items, such as cars. Quite often when someone asks a lender to prequalify them for a home loan there is a brand new car payment on the credit report. Often, they would have qualified in their anticipated price range except that the new car payment has raised their debt-to-income ratio, lowering their maximum purchase price. Sometimes they have bought the car so recently that the new loan doesn’t even show up on the credit report yet, but with six to eight credit inquiries from car dealers and automobile finance companies it is kind of obvious. Almost every time you sit down in a car dealership, it generates two inquiries into your credit.\n\nCredit History is Important\n\nNowadays, credit scores are important if you want to get the best interest rate available. Protect your FICO score. Do not open new revolving accounts needlessly. Do not fill out credit applications needlessly. Do not keep your credit cards nearly maxed out. Make sure you do use your credit occasionally.  Always make sure every creditor has their payment in their office no later than 29 days past due.\n\nAnd never ever be more than thirty days late on your mortgage.  \n\nEver.