 TITLE: How the CARES Act Affects Credit Reports and Scores CONTENT: How to Protect Your Credit During the COVID-19 Crisis\n-----------------------------------------------------\nWhile maintaining your credit score is important, remember that credit can fluctuate, and if your scores are impacted now, they can still bounce back later. If your finances have been affected by COVID-19 and you're worried about your credit, here are a few tips that may help you protect your credit score:\n*   **Pay your bills on time if possible.** If you have the means, try to pay all of your bills on time to avoid having any delinquencies recorded in your credit reports. Unless you have a special arrangement with your creditor, late and missed payments may still get reported to credit bureaus. The best defense against letting that happen is doing what you can make payments on time, even if you're only making the minimum payment the lender requires.\n*   **Contact your creditors and service providers to see if they can help.** As mentioned, many lenders and service providers are providing relief to people impacted by COVID-19. If you fear you won't be able to pay a bill, contact your creditor or service provider immediately to see if there are any options that might help, such as loan forbearance. It's important to contact them before missing a payment, as some relief options may not work retroactively.  \n    If you take advantage of a relief option, the agreement you make with your creditor might include protections for your credit score. Make sure to discuss this with your creditor. For help with this, check out Experian's list of financial, non-financial and government institutions offering relief during this time.\n*   **Monitor your credit regularly.** Checking your credit can give you peace of mind and can help you see if your score has gone up or down. Remember that credit scores fluctuate often, so if your score drops, it could recover over time. Experian's free credit monitoring service allows you to check your Experian credit report and FICO® Score☉ regularly to see where you stand.\n*   **Seek financial assistance.** If you feel overwhelmed by the idea of budgeting and paying down your debt, consider contacting a credit counseling agency that can help you devise a plan to repay your debts. Nonprofit credit counselors can help you come up with a plan to manage your debts including. Contact the National Foundation for Credit Counseling to find a reputable counselor near you. END