Credit  Scores? Why are score different per credit company?
830945
Becuase some creditor report to one bureau, some report to two and other report to all three. \n\nWhen your score is calculated using different info, the scores will be different. \n\n\nHere is a great article about credit scores. Will open your eyes: http://www.expert-credit-advice.com/credit_score.htm\n\n\nThe rest of the website has other good solid information as well.
150875
It sounds as if your FICO score has been decimated by your ex. A FICO score is a snapshot of your credit risk picture at a particular point in time. The higher your score, the lower the risk to lenders. A FICO score can range from 300 to 850. The very best rates go to people with scores above 770, but a score of 700 is considered good (the average score is somewhere around 725), says Craig Watts, Fair Isaac's spokesperson. If your score is in the low 600s or below, it's time for concern. As you fall below about 600, you will see an increase in your lending rates. \n\nThe first step to increasing your score is to know where you currently stand. By law everyone is entitled to a free copy once a year. Also, you are entitled to a copy of your credit file free if you have been denied credit from the bureau that reported the information. If you've been denied credit, you must apply for your file this within 60 days of the denial. Log on to http://www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.\n\nOne way to instantly up your FICO score is to be put on an account with another individual who has a good credit score. You only need to be an authorized user, NOT actually ever use or even have possesion of the credit card.Your name only has to be associated with the account. By "piggybacking" on an account with someone who has good credit, you instantly up your own. Conversely, being on an account with someone who has bad credit drags your score down (as you have found out!). \n\nGenerally, people with high FICO scores consistently:\n* Pay bills on time.\n* Keep balances low on credit cards and other revolving credit products.\n* Apply for and open new credit accounts only as needed.\n\nFICO scores consider five main kinds of credit information. Listed from most important to least important, these are:\n* Payment history.\n* Amount owed.\n* Length of credit history.\n* New credit.\n* Types of credit in use.\n\nTalk with your lenders about the circumstances around you/ your ex's late payments. You can request that certain data be taken off or amended on your report. They may or may not do it but it is worth a try if it improves your score.\n\nBTW, one thing a person should NEVER do as it ADVERSELY affects their FICO score is close accounts once they are paid off! That actually lowers your credit score. FICO scores take into account your debt to credit ratio: \n\nIf you have 3 credit cards with $1,000 limits on each and they were all maxed out your debt to credit ration would be 100% of your available line. If you paid of two of the cards in full your debt to credit ration would be 33% (you only owe $1,000 on $3,000 of available credit). If you closed the two accounts you paid off and had one card left maxed out at $1,000 you would instantly go back up to a 100% debt to credit ration. So, bottom line when you pay a card off- Never close the account, just cut the card up.\n\nHere is an article from SmartMoney.com on "Credit Fixes That Can Fix You"- http://www.smartmoney.com/debt/advice/index.cfm?story=creditfixes\n\nand "Keeping Score" about improving your FICO score- \nhttp://www.smartmoney.com/nowwhat/index.cfm?story=20020826
1007412
I am a loan originator and deal with people who have bad credit on a daily basis.  I would suggest getting a copy of your credit report.  Then making sure that there are no duplicates or closed accounts affecting your score.  If there are you can call those places that have been dawdling in taking them off your credit report.  Pay things on time and try to get rid of as much revolving debt as possible.  If your credit is bad now you may need to wait a couple months until you can correct all of the above problems and bring your credit score up to where it should be.  I hope I helped to answer your question if you have any more concerning your credit scores feel free to contact me through my yahoo email.  P.S.  A credit repair company can raise your scores but you most likely won't see the results until the process is over, they can really affect your score negatively while the repair process is taking place.  Just put yourself in the lenders position. Would you lend money to someone going through a "credit repair"?  I suggest trying to do it on your own first.
396650
It isn't really a score that is looked at when getting an apartment - it is more looking at if you pay your bills on time.  When I was  a property manager I dind't care what someone's score was.  I cared that they paid their bills on time, and that they didn't have any charge offs.
87776
Can u refinance a home?  Home equity?  My b/f has the same problem.  How is your fico score? if it's high then get another cc.  The higher your income...the more credit they will lend to you ....hint hint....and then consolidate on that card.  when the credit companies see that you paid off all the debt they will give you another card...then you transfer the balance to taht one or another with a 3.9 or something like that til the loan is paid off.
726807
The calculations of the FICO score are VERY complicated and there is no such thing as a specific number of points taken or given as a result of negative or positive activity on your account. The calculations look at various factors and then compute a score based on all factors. Thus, two people can both have a 30 day late and one can get dinged by 20 points and the other can get dinged by 50.\nExample: John and Harry both have 720 scores. They both go on vacation and each forget to pay a credit card bill, resulting in a 30 day late. John's score drops to 700. But Harry's score drops to 670. The difference? John has 8 open and active accounts. Harry has only 2. So John has more positive accounts to "cushion" that negative 30 day late.
409157
It will have a temporary hit on your score.  But having too many is also bad, because it makes it look like you have too large of a credit line.  \n\nIf you must cancel them, do it slowly.  One card every 3-4 months.\n\nI suggest to visit the home site for the folks that developed the FICO scoring method that creditors use to evaluate you.  They have an educational area that does an excellent explanation of this topic, and can give you lots of other advice to improve your score.\n\nGo to http://www.myfico.com
644
It may actually hurt you FICO score.\n\nOne part of the score is the amount of credit used versus the amount of credit available. So, let's take a look at an example:\n\n$200 total credit available\n$175 total credit used\n Ratio of 0.875 (high)\n\n$5000 total credit available\n$1000 total credit used\n Ration of 0.2 (relatively low)\n\nThe bottom ration of 0.2 is more ideal. Credit companies have found that the higher the ratio a person has (they get credit and max it out), the less likely they will pay it off.\n\nOf course some store credit cards do not report to the credit bureaua unless you go to collections. So it doesn’t matter what you do with them as long as you don’t stop paying them.\n\nIt’s best to just hold on to them. You might even consider having the credit limit taken up (but don’t max them out). It’s not how much of a limit you have that’s important to the credit companies, it how much of it you’re using.\n\nAlso you may want to consider the fact that although your credit score may not be affected very much if you cancel your card, if the store reports to the credit bureau, other companies will see that you canceled a card. To other companies, this means if they give you credit, you’re likely to just cancel it. Meaning you may be more of a hassle than you’re worth.\n\nHope this helps.
1133903
I would not worry about it.  All a credit score does is say how in debt you are.  People with good credit scores are just as bad off as people with bad scores.  My goal is to have no record on file, this will mean that I wont owe anyone.
991963
There are many variables, including what your credit score is, how much you make, to name just two.  You may want to contact a debt-consolidator, though they charge for their services.  Otherwise, you're looking at a personal (unsecured) loan or secured loan...if you have something of equal or greater value to use (paid-off car for example).
1023256
Equifax & Experian together. They both show up different types of credit history! One always seems to score better than the other!
428713
It is true that inquiries lower you credit score, but it's amazing the type of companies that are out there! There is always a company willing to refinance. Go on line and check it out, and try to get in touch with an actual person to ask your questions, that way you don't have to submit an application. Good luck!
676007
No. Actually, it's not even standard in the US. There are 3 different credit agencies, and each of thier systems is a little different. So your score may differ from Experian to TransUnion, to Equifax.
686768
This is an online simulator that lets you punch in variables to see how it will effect your FICO score.  I've found it very helpful & your score does quickly rise when you pay on time & more than the minimum balance on credit cards.\nhttp://www.providian.com/cmc/fico_simulator.htm
838239
You have several good answers here. All I want to add is that credit is a numbers game. The better you understand it, the better you can be at improving it and keeping it high. Here's a little more info that might help:\n\nhttp://financialbasics.blogspot.com/2006/11/credit-reports-and-credit-reporting.html\n\nEnjoy!
225879
As far as I know if one of your credit rating is good, then it wont matter if the other's is bad - I think its like some loans.  Co-signer w/ good credit = :D
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.