No one wants a bad credit score. We all know it affects what we pay for insurance and our ability to borrow money, land a job, or rent a house. Avoiding a bad credit score is just the smart thing to do.
But what’s considered a bad credit score? Is there a magic number that is seen as a risk? Actually, there is — but it’s a little complicated. In the following article, we’ll jump into this complex subject and offer our take on credit scoring and provide information on where you can turn to help repair your score.
Anything Below 660, Theoretically Speaking.
Everyone who has ever gotten a loan, charged something on a credit card, or paid a bill has a credit score. The scoring system the major credit rating agencies use is called the FICO system, and it has a range of between 300 and 850 points.
Using this system, a score of 850 is the best you can be assigned.
Depending on the credit rating agency you ask and what region of the country you’re in, the average credit score in the U.S. is between 660 and 700. Theoretically, this means a credit score below 660 is considered a bad credit score.
However, FICO itself considers a score of between 625 and 659 to be a “standard” rating. The score range they reserve for “subprime” is 624 and below.
If your credit score is above 700, you can be pretty sure banks and lenders will see you positively. Below 650 points or so and it’s a gamble.
If you are one of those unfortunate enough to have a score in the subprime category, there are things you can do to improve your credit score.
Lexington Law Credit Repair Can Help
By paying your bills when they’re due, you receive a positive weighting on your credit score. The more you meet your obligations and pay your debts, the better your credit score is likely to be. But if you should fall behind in your payments or default on a loan, your credit score will take a hit. And it doesn’t take too many of these hits to bring your credit score crashing down to earth.
A credit repair service can remove negative items from your credit reports. Lexington Law’s past clients have seen an average of 10.2 negative items removed from their credit reports within four months. It’s definitely worth it if you’ve got some things on your report dragging your score down.
- Free consultation: 1-855-200-2394
- Most results of any credit repair law firm
- Clients saw more than 7 million negative items removed from their credit reports in 2020
- More than 221 million challenges and disputes sent for clients since 2004
- Cancel anytime
- Click here for sign-up, terms, and details.
| Better Business Bureau | In Business Since | Monthly Cost | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| See BBB Listing | 2004 | $99.95 | 10/10 |
Consultations are free and there’s never any obligation. Lexington Law also has a good reputation, sporting 4.5 stars with Consumer Affairs.
A Secured Credit Card is Another Good Option
A secured credit card can actually help boost your score when you use it responsibly. By responsibly, we mean always paying your monthly bills on time, never missing a payment, and keeping your credit utilization ratio low. Here are the top-rated secured cards for folks looking to rebuild their credit as reviewed by our experts:
- Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
- You don’t need good credit to apply.
- Just complete the short application and find out in 60 seconds if you’re approved.
- When you need assistance our award-winning US-based Customer Service agents are there to help.
- FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any PREMIER Bankcard® product.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 minutes | See Provider Website | Yes | 9.0/10 |
- You don’t need good credit to apply.
- We help people with bad credit, every day.
- Just complete the short application and find out in 60 seconds if you’re approved.
- You can build* or rebuild your credit: apply for a PREMIER Bankcard credit card, keep your balance low, and pay all your monthly bills on time.
- Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
- FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any PREMIER Bankcard® product.
- *Build credit by keeping your balance low and paying all your bills on time every month.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 minutes | See Provider Website | Yes | 9.0/10 |
- Brink’s gives you the peace of mind you deserve. Securing cash and valuables since 1859.
- With Brink’s Direct Deposit, you can get paid faster* than a paper check.
- No late fees or interest charges because this is not a credit card.
- Use the Brink’s Money Prepaid Mobile App to manage your account on the go and get text message or email alerts (Message & data rates may apply.)
- *Card issued by Republic Bank & Trust Company, Member FDIC. Card may be used everywhere Mastercard Debit cards are accepted. “Apply Now” for full details.
- See additional Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard® Details.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 minutes | N/A (Prepaid) | No | 7.5/10 |
A secured credit card works the same as an unsecured card — the only difference is that it requires a deposit to secure your line of credit.
Remember, nothing is permanent. Our credit scores are being recalculated all the time. With a little help, you can quickly improve yours. And whether you’re carrying a secured or unsecured credit card, paying your monthly bill on time is one of the most important factors when it comes to determining your credit score.
Photo source: bobrutledge.com.
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