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Protecting your FICO® score

Consumer credit and FICO® scores aren't solo acts. Rather they are a dance by two partners, you and the lender. Each partner takes actions that could result in changes to the your FICO score. Although you can't control your lender's actions, by managing your credit responsibly over time, you can help protect your credit score from the unexpected.

To your FICO score, managing your credit responsibly means:

  • Pay your bills on time - Late payments and accounts referred to collections agencies can have a major impact on your FICO score.

  • Keep balances low on credit cards relative to their credit limits - High outstanding debt can affect your credit score.

  • Pay off debt rather than moving it around - A reliable way to improve your credit score is by paying down your credit card debt.

  • Don't open new credit cards just to increase your available credit - This approach could backfire and actually lower your credit score.

  • Open new credit accounts only as needed - A cautious approach to taking on new credit will help you maintain a good score.

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Estimate your FICO® Score range

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

All FICO® Score products made available on myFICO.com include a FICO® Score 8, and may include additional FICO® Score versions. Your lender or insurer may use a different FICO® Score than the versions you receive from myFICO, or another type of credit score altogether. Learn more

FICO, myFICO, Score Watch, The score lenders use, and The Score That Matters are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fair Isaac Corporation. Equifax Credit Report is a trademark of Equifax, Inc. and its affiliated companies. Many factors affect your FICO Scores and the interest rates you may receive. Fair Isaac is not a credit repair organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. Fair Isaac does not provide "credit repair" services or advice or assistance regarding "rebuilding" or "improving" your credit record, credit history or credit rating. FTC's website on credit.