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5 Credit Killers

What are the top factors that can damage your credit score?

5 Credit Killers

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

A good credit score speaks volumes about your financial habits. It's the evidence most creditors need to evaluate your credit worthiness.
Interestingly, there are some credit killers that even people maintaining good credit scores would unwittingly be a part of, which will be their undoing when applying for credit facilities in the future.
These mistakes may seem to be insignificant, but when the time comes, you may face more problems than you expect.

Avoiding Debt

Creditors need to evaluate your financial history to approve any credit facilities.
If you have no previous or existing debts, it might adversely affect your case, as creditors have no way of checking out how you'll handle the credit you get from them.

Shopping For Rates

Looking around for the best rate may actually turn out to be bad.
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Too many inquiries within a short period could damage your credit score.
Usually, if you do more than 3 or 4 inquiries within a single month, you are likely to scare the lenders. For the same reasons, transferring the balances on your credit cards could be a bad idea as well.

Assuming There's a Grace Period

If you are late on a payment by even one day, you are late, period.
Never assume there's a grace period for late payments, because it only affects your credit score negatively.

Closing Old Accounts

Because your relevant transaction history also gets erased when you close your old accounts, your credit history is shortened and it may lower your credit score.
If you want to close your old accounts, close everything except the oldest account, which will leave a longer history.

Co-signing Loans

The obvious problem here is that the primary borrower's mistakes will end up on your credit report as well.

Published: Sunday, 1st Aug 2021
Author: Paige Estritori


Car Loans Articles

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In a significant move towards promoting sustainable transportation, essential workers and individuals earning below $100,000 annually in Australia now have access to more affordable electric vehicle (EV) loans. This initiative is part of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation's (CEFC) collaboration with CommBank's EV Access Program, which has allocated $150 million to support discounted loan rates for new and used EVs priced up to $55,000, as well as EV home charging equipment. - read more
ASIC's Review Highlights Concerns in Car Finance Practices
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The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has recently conducted a comprehensive review of the nation's motor vehicle finance sector, uncovering significant issues that raise concerns about consumer protection and lending practices. - read more
ASIC's Review Highlights Concerns in Car Finance Practices
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The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has recently conducted a comprehensive review of the nation's motor vehicle finance sector, uncovering significant issues that raise concerns about consumer protection and lending practices. - read more
Australian Used Hybrid Car Sales Experience Significant Growth
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The Australian used car market is witnessing a notable surge in hybrid vehicle sales, reflecting a growing consumer inclination towards sustainable and practical transportation options. - read more
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The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has recently conducted a comprehensive review of the nation's motor vehicle finance sector, uncovering significant issues that raise concerns about consumer protection and lending practices. - read more
CBA's AI Assistant Revolutionises Car Market Price Discovery
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The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has unveiled a pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) assistant designed to enhance price discovery and transparency in the Australian car market. This innovative tool aims to empower consumers by providing detailed insights into vehicle pricing, a resource previously accessible primarily to car dealers. - read more
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