 TITLE: What Is a Bank Credit Score? CONTENT: What Should I Do if I'm Not Happy With Any of My Credit Scores?\n---------------------------------------------------------------\nIn the event that your credit scores aren't where you want them to be, you can bring them up by taking action. Since all credit scoring models use only the information found on a credit report, your strategy will be to ensure the data that's listed there is positive.\n1.  Correct errors. With your credit report in hand, you will be able to see if there are any mistakes, such as accounts that were opened fraudulently. If there are, dispute them. Once they are removed, your scores will likely rise.\n2.  Deal with collections. If you have accounts with collection agencies, your credit scores are being negatively affected. But paying off these accounts may make you look better to lenders, since some newer credit scoring models (such as the FICO® 9 and VantageScore® 3.0 and 4.0) ignore collections that have a zero balance.\n3.  Send payments on time. Across credit scoring models, payment history is almost always the most important factor. So if you've made late payments in the past, reverse the situation and meet all of your due dates from this point forward.\n4.  Reduce revolving debt. Credit card balances that are too close to the limit will increase your credit utilization ratio, which will affect your scores. Focus on debt repayment. A good rule of thumb is to owe less than 30% of your credit line, but the lower, the better.\n5.  Use a variety of credit accounts. If you don't have very many credit accounts, or none at all, it's much harder to prove you're an excellent credit customer. If you have a credit card, try to use it at least to make small purchases you pay off every month. Loans and other types of debt also contribute to your credit score, as long as you're responsibly paying them back.\n6.  Avoid excess applications for new credit. Only apply for the credit products you need and will manage well. Credit applications result in what's called a \"hard inquiry\" on your credit report, which can cause your score to drop several points. While this may not seem like much, it can be a difference-maker if your score is right on the edge of a higher or lower scoring range.\nViewing your credit score through your bank's app can be a very useful and educational thing to do. Keep in mind, though, that it's not necessarily a number you can show a lender, as it may differ from the scoring system they use to assess your creditworthiness. Since it will rise and fall with your credit activity, be sure to keep an eye on it. You may not have control over which credit score a lender decides to use, it's important to take actions that contribute to your overall credit health. END