Arizona Tribune - 5 Strategies to Effectively Build Your Credit History

Become an Authorized User

An authorized user is someone added to the credit card account by the main cardholder. A close friend or family member with favorable credit could help you build your credit history by making you an authorized user on one of their credit cards. As an authorized user, you'll receive your own credit card linked to the same account as the owner.

Any transactions or payments associated with the credit card will reflect on your credit report in addition to the primary cardholder's report. On time payments and low credit utilization on this account could positively affect your credit history over time. But on the flip side, late or missed payments and a high balance may negatively impact on your credit. If you're considering this option, remember that the account should be open for at least six months or more, and report for that long as well to the major credit bureaus in order to get a credit score.

Have Your Rent Payments Reported to Credit Bureaus

Rent reporting services share information about your monthly rent payments with credit bureaus. Rent reporting companies typically charge the rental company or the tenants a small fee to report payments. If your property manager is open to the idea, you can convince them that the benefits of rent reporting are worth the cost. Rent reporting not only helps property owners screen potential tenants based on their payment history, but it also motivates tenants to pay rent on time. As a tenant, you can also pay for a service to have your rent payments reported but choose your service provider wisely. Ensure they report to all three bureaus, keep your data secure, and charge a reasonable fee. Rent reporting services are becoming more widespread, but not all landlords and managers agree to participate in these programs.

Get a Secured Credit Card

A secured credit card is another option for building your credit. It works similarly to a regular credit card except the cardholder puts down a security deposit which acts as collateral for the card issue if you miss a payment. The deposit is equivalent to the credit limit. If you make on-time payments consistently with a secured credit card, you will start to build your credit history. These cards are easier to obtain with less than -than- credit and because the deposit acts as collateral making it less risky for the lender. Once your credit improves, you'll be eligible for better credit cards with more benefits and lower rates. Users of secured cards can graduate to unsecured cards after a year or more typically.

Apply for a Credit Builder Loan

A credit builder loan is like an installment loan but instead of disbursing the funds upfront, lenders set aside the loan funds in a separate savings account for the duration of the loan term. You'll make monthly payments based on your loan terms. Your lender will report these payments to the major credit bureaus, which could help you establish a positive credit history. Once you repay the loan, your lender will disburse the funds held in the savings account. Credit builder loans can be useful if you don't want to apply for a credit card.

Consider a Credit-Building Debit Card

Debit card payments aren't reported to credit bureaus, which is why most debit cards don't affect your credit history or score. However, some banks and credit unions have introduced new debit cards that help you build a positive credit history. These cards may operate differently based on the issuer. One popular credit-building debit card offers access to a service that reports eligible bill payments to credit bureaus. This helps you build credit by using the debit card to make timely insurance, rent, and utility payments. It should be noted that credit-building debit cards are a newer product on the market and there aren't that many available.

Building your credit history may take time but can be rewarding in the long run. You can also consider other options like secured credit cards and services that report utility bills to credit bureaus.

Disclaimer: This content is sponsored by myFICO and is provided for informational purposes only. The information shared here is not intended to serve as financial, legal, or credit-related advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with their personal financial advisors or credit professionals to assess their specific situation. To learn more about myFICO's services, including credit scores and monitoring tools, please visit the myFICO website or reach out to a myFICO representative.

CONTACT:

Sonakshi Murze
Manager
[email protected]

SOURCE: iQuanti

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T.Sanchez--AT