FICO Scores

FICO Scores

Your Credit Score Impacts All Aspects of Your Life

As we discuss throughout this site, your credit reports are a detailed history of your credit habits.  There are lots of things that can be listed on your credit report, and lots of different types of companies check your credit report to make decisions about you.  More and more companies are requesting credit histories as a way to get a feel for someone’s character. Employers, landlords, utility companies, insurance companies, schools and prospective partners may all want to take a peek at your credit report.

Did you know that nearly half of all employers perform credit checks on applicants? Most of the time, employers merely want to check to see if your past addresses and places of employment match up with the information provided on your application. But all of the other information is there for them to take a peek at as well. Who knows what affect a low credit score will have on your chances of landing a great job? Do you blame them?  Would you hire someone who doesn’t seem financially reliable?

Landlords also pull credit reports, and the information obtained from your report has a direct impact on your eligibility to rent property. Utility companies routinely make people with poor credit scores place a larger deposit. What about insurance companies? They often base their premiums on your credit score as well.  How about this – a bad credit score can even prevent you from getting a decent deal on a new cell phone contract.