海角社区

Building Your Credit
4
聽min read

Improve Your Credit Score in 10 Steps

Tom Davies
VP Marketing

If you鈥檝e landed on this page but you鈥檙e not quite sure what a credit score is, it might be worth checking out our 鈥what is a credit score?鈥 guide before you read on.聽

If you鈥檙e already clued up on what a credit score is and why it鈥檚 important, then hopefully this guide will give you a few actionable tips to help improve that all-important credit score.

#1 - Register your address

Make sure you're registered on the electoral roll with your current address, even if you're sharing a flat or staying with your folks. It helps show where you live to lenders.

#2 - Pay your bills on time

Paying your bills on time and in full can help make you look like a responsible borrower to lenders. Keeping your old accounts in good standing can also help your credit score, but watch out for those unused credit cards!

#3 - Keep your credit usage low

The percentage of your credit limit that you're using is called your credit utilisation. Keeping it below 30% is ideal, and can help increase your credit score. Keep an eye on your utilisation across all of your active credit cards.

#4 - Pay off your biggest balance first

If you've got more than one credit card with a balance, focus on the one with the highest balance first to help reduce your credit utilisation ratio.

#5 - Become an authorised user on someone else's credit card

If someone in your family has a better credit score than you, you might be able to hop on their credit card as an authorised user. This can actually help your credit score, especially if the card has a long history of good standing, on-time payments, and low usage.

#6 - Check your credit report for errors

Even little mistakes can cause big problems for your credit score. Check your report to make sure everything is accurate and up-to-date. If there's an error, flag it with your credit provider and get your records amended.

#7 - Watch out for fraudsters

Unfortunately, it happens all too often. Fraudsters can try to take out credit in your name, so make sure to keep an eye on your credit file for anything suspicious. If you spot a credit application on your file that wasn鈥檛 you, get it reported or it could tarnish your score.

#8 - Staying put can be a positive sign

Lenders like stability, so try not to move home too much if you can help it. Moving home frequently could be misinterpreted as you having issues with paying rent. If you do have to move, try to keep your credit history in good standing.

#9 - Keep your old accounts open

Having multiple credit accounts that you've managed well over time can help show lenders that you're a responsible borrower. Keeping your old accounts open can also help boost your credit score. Periodically spending on old credit cards will reduce the chances of your credit limit being reduced, or even having your account closed for being dormant. Closing an account will impact your credit utilisation and could negatively impact your credit score.

#10 - Try a credit builder card

If you want to improve your credit score, a credit builder card could be the way to go. Just make sure to only spend what you need to and pay it off on time to avoid getting hit with interest. The downside with credit builder cards is that they typically offer low credit limits and higher interest rates.

See If You鈥檙e Eligible for a 海角社区 Credit Card Today

Ready to level up your credit game? Check if you're eligible for a 海角社区 credit card by clicking the 'see if I'm eligible' button at the top of the page. We'll ask a few simple questions to see if you're a good fit.

Plus, with tons of cool ways to earn and use points, 海角社区 is a great choice for building up your credit score and setting yourself up for a bright financial future.

Tom Davies
VP Marketing

Becoming a 海角社区 member could聽

improve

your credit rating

Check you鈥檙e eligible before applying
You can see if you鈥檙e eligible without affecting your credit score. If you continue, we鈥檒l carry out a full credit check.
Borrow what you can afford
When you use a credit card, you need to pay off your balance at the end of the month. Only spend what you can afford to repay.
Improve your credit over time
Making your monthly payment on time could help improve your credit rating. Just like missing a payment can impact it.

See if you鈥檙e eligible

No impact on your credit score
Takes just a couple minutes
By continuing, you agree to our App Terms & Privacy Policy
Nearly there, {Name}

You鈥檙e eligible for 海角社区 membership!

Finish your application and get your card