What we verified in “What moves your credit score: the five factors”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. According to the CFPB, a credit score is a prediction of your credit behavior, such as how likely you are to pay a loan back on time, based on information from your credit reports; a formula called a scoring model creates it; companies use it to decide whether to offer you a mortgage, a credit card or other credit, and also for tenant screening and insurance; you do not have just one score, because it depends on the model, the source of the data and even the day it was calculated; usually a higher score makes it easier to qualify and may result in a better rate; and most scores range from 300 to 850.

   Sources 1 · What is a credit score? (page last modified Sept. 2, 2026): 'A credit score is a prediction of your credit behavior, such as how likely you are to pay a loan back on time, based on information from your credit reports'; 'called a scoring model'; 'as well as for tenant screening and insurance'; 'may differ depending on the scoring model'; 'the source of the data used, and even the day when it was calculated'; 'Usually a higher score makes it easier to qualify for a loan and may result in a better interest rate or loan terms'; 'Most credit scores range from 300-850' · Checked October 17, 2026

2. According to the CFPB, the factors scoring models typically take into account are: your bill-paying history, your current unpaid debt, the number and type of loan accounts you have, how long they have been open, how much of your available credit you are using, new applications for credit, and whether you have had a debt sent to collection, a foreclosure or a bankruptcy, and how long ago.

   Sources 1 · What is a credit score?, 'What factors impact my credit score?': 'Your bill-paying history'; 'Your current unpaid debt'; 'The number and type of loan accounts you have'; 'How long you have had your loan accounts open'; 'How much of your available credit you're using'; 'New applications for credit'; 'a debt sent to collection, a foreclosure, or a bankruptcy, and how long ago' · Checked October 17, 2026

3. According to the CFPB, FICO is a brand of credit score that helps lenders determine how likely you are to pay back a loan; there are multiple versions of the FICO score and each weighs the information in your report slightly differently; and Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or others may use certain versions to help determine eligibility for home lending.

   Sources 2 · What is a FICO score? (page last modified Sept. 11, 2025): 'is a particular brand of credit score that helps lenders determine how likely you are to pay back a loan'; 'There are multiple versions of the FICO score, and each weighs the information in your report slightly differently'; 'may be used by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or others to help determine eligibility of home lending' · Checked October 17, 2026

4. FICO states that it groups the data in your report into five categories: payment history (35%), amounts owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), new credit (10%) and credit mix (10%); that the percentages reflect how important each category is and that this importance may vary from one person to another; that its score is calculated only from the information in your credit report; and that it is not possible to measure the exact impact of a single factor without looking at the whole report.

   Sources 3 · What's in your credit score? (myFICO, updated October 2026): 'This data is grouped into five categories: payment history (35%), amounts owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), new credit (10%), and credit mix (10%)'; 'The importance of these categories may vary from one person to another'; 'calculated only from the information in your credit report'; 'it's not possible to measure the exact impact of a single factor' · Checked October 17, 2026

5. FICO explains that your payment track record tends to be the strongest predictor of whether you will pay all debts as agreed; that an overall good credit history can outweigh one or two late credit card payments; that amounts owed means how much debt you carry in total and how much of your available credit you are using; that it looks at the age of your oldest account, your newest account and the average of all your accounts, and that a longer history is generally positive but not required for a good score; that opening several new accounts in a short period represents greater risk; that it only considers inquiries from the last 12 months, although inquiries stay on your report for two years; and that it is not necessary to have one of each type of credit.

   Sources 3 · What's in your credit score?, 'What are the credit score factors?': 'your track record of payment tends to be the strongest predictor of the likelihood that you'll pay all debts as agreed'; 'An overall good credit history can outweigh one or two instances of late credit card payments'; 'how much debt you carry in total and how much of your available credit you are using'; 'the age of your oldest account, the age of your newest account, and an average age of all your accounts'; 'it's not required for a good credit score'; 'opening several new credit accounts in a short period of time represents greater risk'; 'only consider inquiries from the last 12 months, although inquiries remain on your credit report for two years'; 'It's not necessary to have one of each' · Checked October 17, 2026

6. FICO says its score does not factor in your race, color, religion, national origin, sex or marital status, or your salary, occupation, title, employer, date employed or employment history; but lenders may look at many things when making a credit decision, such as your income.

   Sources 3 · What's in your credit score?: 'Your race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or marital status'; 'Your salary, occupation, title, employer, date employed, or employment history'; 'lenders may look at many things when making a credit decision, such as your income' · Checked October 17, 2026

7. VantageScore publishes its factors ranked from most to least important: payment history (extremely influential), total credit usage (highly influential), credit mix and experience (highly influential), new accounts opened (moderately influential) and balance and available credit (less influential); it gives the example that with a $1,000-limit card it is best not to carry a balance of more than $300; and it says it does not include race, color, religion, nationality, gender, marital status, age, salary, occupation, employer, employment history, where you live or your total assets.

   Sources 4 · How Credit Scores Work (VantageScore), 'What Influences My Credit Score?': 'Each is ranked from most important to least'; 'Payment History Extremely Influential'; 'Total Credit Usage Highly Influential'; 'if you have a credit card with a $1,000 limit, it's best to not carry a balance on that card of more than $300'; 'Credit Mix & Experience Highly Influential'; 'New Accounts Opened Moderately Influential'; 'Balance & Available Credit Less Influential'; 'What Does Not Count?': 'We do not include race, color, religion, nationality, gender, marital status, age, salary, occupation, employer, employment history, where you live, or even your total assets' · Checked October 17, 2026

8. VantageScore explains that your score is calculated by one of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) using a proprietary set of rules provided by VantageScore; that VantageScore is not a credit bureau and has no access to your data; that credit inquiries within a 14-day period count as a single inquiry and the effect of one inquiry is likely minor and temporary; and that if reason codes seem to conflict, you should work your way down the list, addressing the most significant factors first.

   Sources 5 · Consumer FAQs (VantageScore): 'using a proprietary set of rules provided by VantageScore'; 'VantageScore is not a credit bureau and does not have access to your data'; 'Credit inquiries within a 14-day period are counted as a single inquiry'; 'is likely to be minor and temporary'; 'work your way down the list, addressing the most significant factors first' · Checked October 17, 2026

9. VantageScore suggests looking for the reason codes the next time you see your score, with examples such as 'balances on bankcard or revolving accounts too high compared to credit limits' and 'too many inquiries on your credit report'.

   Sources 6 · VantageScore consumer page, 'ReasonCode': 'look for the Reason Codes'; '32: Balances on bankcard or revolving accounts too high compared to credit limits'; '85: You have too many inquiries on your credit report' · Checked October 17, 2026

10. The CFPB says most credit scores consider repayment history the number one factor; it suggests automatic payments or electronic reminders and, if you have missed payments, getting current and staying current; it says scoring models look at how close you are to being maxed out, that moving balances onto one card and closing others may hurt your score if you end up using a high percentage of your total limit, and that experts advise using no more than 30 percent of your total credit limit; that you do not need to carry a balance to get a good score and paying in full each month helps get the best scores; that a long credit history helps; and that formulas treat recent credit activity as a signal of need, so applying for a lot of credit in a short time may look like financial setbacks to lenders.

    Sources 7 · How do I get and keep a good credit score? (page last modified Dec. 18, 2024): 'Most credit scores consider repayment history as the number one factor'; 'set up automatic payments or electronic reminders'; 'get current and stay current'; 'look at how close you are to being'; 'it may hurt your credit score if this means that you are using a high percentage of your total credit limit'; 'Experts advise keeping your use of credit at no more than 30 percent of your total credit limit'; 'You don't need to carry a balance on credit cards to get a good score'; 'Paying off the balance in full each month helps get you the best scores'; 'A long credit history will help your score'; 'look at your recent credit activity as a signal of your need for credit'; 'it may appear to lenders that you are dealing with financial setbacks' · Checked October 17, 2026

11. According to the CFPB, rebuilding credit takes time and there are no shortcuts or secrets; 'on time' means the payment reaches the company by the due date, and if you pay by mail you should send it a few days early; some experts advise using no more than 30 percent of your total limit and others say less than 10 percent; your score may go down if you apply for or open many accounts in a short time, including a new card to transfer balances or a store card for a discount; paying with a debit card or cash, or using a prepaid card, does not help rebuild your credit; and recent negative information generally affects your score more than older information.

    Sources 8 · How to rebuild your credit: 'There are no shortcuts or secrets'; 'means the payment gets to the company by the day the bill is due'; 'put your payment in the mail a few days before it is due'; 'Some experts advise using no more than 30 percent of your total credit limit'; 'while others say you should use less than 10 percent'; 'This includes getting a new card so you can transfer balances, or opening a new store card account so you can get a discount'; 'Using a debit card or paying cash'; 'Using a prepaid card'; 'recent negative information has more of an effect on your credit score than older information' · Checked October 17, 2026

12. According to the CFPB, closing a card may be a good step in some cases, but you should not assume it will improve your score; part of your score is based on the credit you use divided by the total you have available, called the 'credit utilization ratio', and closing a card can raise it and lower your score; some people keep an old account with a positive history open because it may help maintain a higher score; closing it may make sense if it has annual fees or poor terms, if it helps you avoid debt you cannot pay off or if you are not planning to apply for credit soon; and if you keep an unused account open, you should watch the statements.

    Sources 9 · Does it hurt my credit to close a credit card? (page last modified Jan. 14, 2025): 'don't assume it will improve your credit score'; 'Part of your score is based on the amount of credit you're using, divided by the total amount you have available'; 'Closing an existing card can increase your credit utilization ratio and lower your score'; 'especially if it's an old account and they have a positive payment history because this may help maintain a higher credit score'; 'The card has annual fees or poor terms that outweigh the benefits'; 'It helps you avoid accumulating debt you can't pay off'; 'You aren't planning to apply for credit in the near future'; 'be sure to watch your statements' · Checked October 17, 2026

13. According to the CFPB, hard inquiries, usually made by lenders after you apply for credit, affect your score because most scoring models look at how recently and how often you apply for credit; soft inquiries, such as reviews of existing accounts, prescreened offers and your own requests for your reports, do not affect your scores.

    Sources 10 · What is a credit inquiry? (page last modified Sept. 11, 2025): 'These inquiries will impact your credit score because most credit scoring models look at how recently and how frequently you apply for credit'; 'prescreening inquiries by prospective lenders'; 'your requests for your credit reports. These will not affect your credit scores' · Checked October 17, 2026

14. According to the CFPB, an inquiry typically has a small negative effect on your scores; within a 45-day window, multiple credit checks from mortgage lenders are recorded as a single inquiry, so you can get several preapprovals and Loan Estimates; you should try to avoid applying for other types of credit right before or during the mortgage process; and checking your own credit does not affect your scores.

    Sources 11 · What happens when a mortgage lender checks my credit? (page last modified Aug. 31, 2026): 'An inquiry typically has a small negative effect on your credit scores'; 'Within a 45-day window, multiple credit checks from mortgage lenders are recorded on your credit report as a single inquiry'; 'You can shop around and get multiple preapprovals and official Loan Estimates'; 'try to avoid applying for these other types of credit right before getting a mortgage or during the mortgage process'; 'Checking your own credit does not affect your credit scores' · Checked October 17, 2026

15. According to the CFPB, credit reporting companies can generally report negative payment history information for up to seven years and positive information for longer; bankruptcies can stay for up to ten years; no one has the right to remove accurate negative information, such as late payments; and a report can only be fixed if it contains errors, which you can do on your own at no cost.

    Sources 12 · How long does information stay on my credit report? (page last modified Sept. 2, 2026): 'can generally report negative information about your credit account payment history for up to seven years, and may report positive information for longer'; 'Bankruptcies can stay on your report for up to ten years'; 'no one has the right to remove negative information, such as late payments, from a credit report if it is accurate'; 'you can do that on your own at no cost' · Checked October 17, 2026

16. According to the CFPB, most utility companies (power, water, phone, cable) do not send the big three credit reporting companies data on whether you pay on time; but if you fail to pay a bill and it goes to a collection agency, the debt could show up on your reports.

    Sources 13 · Does my history of paying utility bills, like telephone, cable, electricity, or water, go in my credit report? (page last modified Sept. 11, 2025): 'Most utility companies don't provide consumer payment history data to the big three credit reporting companies'; 'if you fail to pay a bill and it is sent to a collection agency, the debt could show up on your credit reports' · Checked October 17, 2026

17. According to the CFPB, you cannot opt out of having creditors report your accounts; creditors report voluntarily to the credit reporting agencies, and you can dispute anything you think is an error.

    Sources 14 · Can I opt out of having creditors report my accounts to credit reporting companies? (page last modified Sept. 11, 2025): 'you cannot opt out of having creditors report your accounts'; 'Creditors voluntarily report to the consumer reporting agencies'; 'you can dispute anything reported that you think is an error' · Checked October 17, 2026

18. According to the CFPB, joint accounts, such as a joint credit card, affect both people's credit scores.

    Sources 15 · Do joint credit card accounts with my spouse affect my credit score? (page last modified Feb. 5, 2024): 'Joint accounts, like a joint credit card, will affect both your credit scores' · Checked October 17, 2026

19. According to the CFPB, a security freeze (credit freeze) does not affect your credit scores in any way.

    Sources 16 · What is a credit freeze or security freeze on my credit report? (page last modified Sept. 17, 2025): 'Security freezes do not impact your credit scores in any way whatsoever' · Checked October 17, 2026

20. According to the CFPB, you can get a free score from many credit card companies or other lenders you use and from nonprofit credit and housing counselors; lenders use different scores for different kinds of loans, so it is normal to see slightly different scores; if you buy a score, you do not have to buy other services offered at the same time; and for most people an educational score is similar to the scores lenders use.

    Sources 17 · Where can I get my credit scores? (page last modified Oct. 15, 2026): 'You can get a credit score for free from many credit card companies or other lenders you use, and from nonprofit credit and housing counselors'; 'Lenders also use different credit scores for different types of loans'; 'it's normal to see credit scores that are slightly different'; 'you are not required to purchase other services that might be offered at the same time'; 'For most people, an educational score is similar to the scores lenders use' · Checked October 17, 2026

21. According to the CFPB, you can see your score in a mortgage scoring notice when you apply for a home loan, in an adverse action notice if you are turned down or offered worse terms because of your credit, or in a risk-based pricing notice; many major credit card companies and some auto lenders give customers a score every month; nonprofit credit counselors and HUD-approved housing counseling agencies can often give you a free report and score and help you review them; 'free score' services may charge you if you do not cancel in time; and a CFPB study found a meaningful difference between educational scores and lender scores for one out of four people.

    Sources 18 · Do I have to pay for my credit score? (page last modified May 3, 2024): 'From a mortgage scoring notice'; 'From an adverse action notice'; 'From a risk-based pricing notice'; 'Many major credit card companies and some auto loan companies have begun to provide credit scores for all their customers on a monthly basis'; 'can often provide you with a free credit report and score and help you review them'; 'if you don't cancel within the specified period'; 'Our report found a meaningful difference for one out of four people' · Checked October 17, 2026

22. According to the CFPB, the free reports from the nationwide credit reporting agencies do not include free scores; a score you buy may not be the one lenders use; and mortgage lenders have to disclose your score when they check it to approve a mortgage.

    Sources 19 · I got my free credit reports, but they do not include my credit scores. Can I get my credit score for free too? (page last modified Jun. 6, 2023): 'Free credit reports provided by the nationwide credit reporting agencies currently do not include free credit scores'; 'the score you purchase may not be the same as the one lenders use'; 'Mortgage lenders also have to disclose your score when they check your score to approve a mortgage loan' · Checked October 17, 2026

23. According to FHFA (last updated October 2, 2026), lenders may currently choose between Classic FICO and VantageScore 4.0 for loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and must use the same model for all borrowers on a given loan; the newer models take into account additional sources of data, including rent payment history; and FICO 10T is not currently eligible for delivery.

    Sources 20 · Credit Scores (FHFA, 'Last updated: October 2, 2026'): 'Currently, lenders may choose between Classic FICO or VantageScore 4.0 for loans sold to the Enterprises'; 'Lenders will be required to use the same credit score model (Classic FICO or VantageScore 4.0) for all borrowers on a given loan'; 'These new models take into account additional sources of data, including rent payment history'; 'FICO 10T is not currently eligible for delivery' · Checked October 17, 2026

24. HUD-approved housing counselors give independent advice on buying a home, renting, defaults and credit issues, often at little or no cost.

    Sources 21 · Find a Housing Counselor: 'Housing counselors throughout the country can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, forbearances, foreclosures, and credit issues'; 'they can offer independent advice, often at little or no cost to you' · Checked October 17, 2026