These are the three major credit bureaus (aka credit reporting agencies): Equifax (EQ), Experian (EX), and TransUnion (TU). You’ll need to find out all three of your FICO scores to properly grasp your overall credit picture.
What is the range of FICO scores?
FICO (aka Classic or BEACON) scores can range from 300 to 850, but the majority of scores usually fall within the 600s and 700s.
Classic or BEACON FICO scores are generally the best indicator of credit-worthiness and a good overall indicator of where your credit (mortgage, credit card, auto,etc.) stands.
Credit card enhanced (or bankcard enhanced scores) are specific indicators of credit worthiness with regards to credit cards only (not mortgages, auto, loans, etc.).
Auto-enhanced scores are specific indicators of credit worthiness with regards to an auto loan. Consumers cannot purchase auto-enhanced scores.
Your actual FICO score ranges from 300-850, remember you have three separate FICO scores for each credit reporting agency EQ, EX, and TU.
Scores higher than 720-750+ are ideal. Any higher really doesn't matter. Once you get this high, you have excellent scores regardless.
Also, just because you have your score today doesn’t mean you can walk into the car dealership tomorrow and say “I have an 800+ FICO please give me the APR I want on my loan”, the lender may calculate a completely different FICO score and if you were to pull your FICO score again that day it may be different for you.
Remember, a FICO score is a quick look at the overall status of your credit. It may mean getting a better APR on the credit card you want, but it likely won’t determine whether you get the card or not (your credit report(s) will!).
Don't apply for credit unless you know you can get it or that you need to get it;
unnecessary credit inquiries are going to hurt the scores - especially if your over all credit file is small to begin with.
Tip: When applying for credit pull your own credit report first (this is a soft hit and won't drop your scores). With credit report in hand go visit your local banks or credit unions. Show them the reports; and don't allow them to pull a credit report of their own unless they can say for sure that you will be approved, this way you save your self unnecessary pulls on your credit report if they decline you. If they say yes, you are approved, then they will need to pull credit report to seal the deal.
Mortgage & Auto industry has special rules for inquiries: all applications for credit resulting in pulled credit reports within a 14 day period of time will only count as one inquiry & will be suppressed from affecting credit scores for 30 days. So if you plan to go shopping for a mortgage or a car, do your research first picking what companies you want to apply with and do this all within a 2 week period of time so that the scores are not affected too much.
DO:
1. Pay your bills on time. Delinquent payments and collections can have a major negative impact on your score.
2. If you have missed payments, get current and stay current. The longer you pay your bills on time, the better your score.
3. If you are having trouble making ends meet, contact your creditors or see a legitimate credit counselor. This will not improve your score immediately, but if you can begin to manage your credit and pay on time, your score will get better over time.
4. Keep balances low (1-9% util) on credit cards and other revolving credit. High outstanding debt can affect a score.
5. Pay off debt rather than move it around.
6. Re-establish your credit history if you have had problems.
7. Opening new accounts responsibly and paying them off on time will raise your score in the long term.
8. Note that it is OK to request and check your own credit file. This will not affect your score, as long as you order your credit file directly from the credit reporting agency or through an organization authorized to provide credit files to consumers (such as myFICO).
9. Apply for and open new credit accounts only as needed.
10. Have credit cards but manage them responsibly. In general, having credit cards and installment loans (and paying timely payments) will raise your score. Someone with no credit cards, for example, tends to be higher risk than someone who has managed credit cards responsibly.
DON'T:
1. Close unused credit cards as a short-term strategy to raise your score. NEVER close an open account unless it is costing you money!
2. Open a number of new credit cards that you do not need, just to increase your available credit. This approach could backfire and actually lower your score.
3. If you have been managing credit for a short time, do not open a lot of new accounts too rapidly. New accounts will lower your average account age, which will have a larger effect on your score if you do not have a lot of other credit information. Also, rapid account build-up can look risky if you are a new credit user. Do your rate shopping for a given loan within a focused period of time. FICO scores distinguish between a search for a single loan and a search for many new credit lines, in part by the length of time over which inquiries occur.
How long will a derog stay on my reports?
(1) In general. The 7-year period referred to in paragraphs (4) and (6)(2) of subsection (a) shall begin, with respect to any delinquent account that is placed for collection (internally or by referral to a third party, whichever is earlier), charged to profit and loss, or subjected to any similar action, upon the expiration of the 180-day period beginning on the date of the commencement of the delinquency which immediately preceded the collection activity, charge to profit and loss, or similar action.
*Information obtained from "myfico" - Link
