 TITLE: Does Going Over My Credit Limit Affect My Credit Score? CONTENT: What to Do if You Go Over Your Credit Limit\n-------------------------------------------\nTo avoid the consequences associated with going over your credit limit, take action:\n*   **Make a payment immediately.** Try to pay enough so your credit utilization ratio is in a healthy place. Start by sending enough to get it under the limit, then drive the balance down so you have at least 70% available credit.\n*   **Concentrate on the problem card.** If you have multiple credit cards, but this is the only one where you've exceeded your limit, strategize. Make the minimum payments to the others and the most to the card that's hurting your credit utilization ratio the most.\n*   **Request a credit limit increase.** If your credit score is decent, you've been managing other accounts well, your income can handle an expanded credit line and you have a positive relationship with the credit card issuer, you can request a higher credit limit. That will instantly improve your credit utilization ratio because you'll have more available credit.\nIn the future, avoid getting too close to your credit limit. Many credit card issuers allow cardholders to sign up for email and text alerts when your balance is reaching the danger point. But also keep a close eye on your balances on your own. Make a habit of tracking your spending in real time, and monitoring your statements online weekly if not daily. Stop charging when your debt starts to get too high.\nAdditionally, monitor your credit so you can see how your credit utilization is affecting your scores. You can get your free FICO® Score☉ from Experian to see where you stand. As you employ methods to bring down your balances and ensure that your credit utilization ratio is in a good place, track your credit scores to see how they've changed. You might be surprised at the improvement you'll see once credit card balances are paid down. END