A fuller guide to this term is on the way. In the meantime, the related terms below explain the ideas around it.
Related MoneyPedia terms
- Credit BureauA company that collects and sells your credit history; the three major ones are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
- Credit ScoreA number that sums up how you've handled borrowing, shaping the rates you're offered.
- FICO ScoreThe most widely used credit score model, ranging from 300 to 850, that lenders check to gauge how risky you are to lend to.
- Credit FreezeA free lock you place on your credit report that blocks new lenders from viewing it, helping prevent identity theft.
- Credit UtilizationThe share of your available credit that you are currently using, calculated by dividing your balances by your credit limits.
- Hard InquiryA credit check triggered when you apply for new credit, which can slightly lower your score and stays on your report for two years.
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Plain-English education — not personalized legal, tax, or investment advice.