If Your Credit Score Is Under 700, Make These 6 Moves ASAP (2024)

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You really try to be responsible with your money.

But, no matter what you do, your credit score never seems to make it over that 700 hump.

Yup — you’ve got some algorithm spitting out a three-digit number that’s basically controlling your entire life. We get it: It’s frustrating.

Don’t give up just yet, though! These six moves just might be the kickstart you need to finally get your credit score moving in the right direction.

Best of all? You can do all these things by the end of this week.

1. Write a Love Letter

…to your creditors.

If you generally have a pretty solid credit history, save for a few missteps, then sending a well-executed goodwill letter to those you owe could help get you back in good graces with them and improve your credit score.

You’ll want your letter to cover the following bases:

  • Explain why and how long you’ve been a loyal customer of the creditor.
  • Take responsibility for the mistakes that led to the blemishes on your credit history.
  • Describe the steps you’re taking to ensure these mistakes don’t happen again.
  • Appeal to their sense of empathy. Show that you want forgiveness but also that you are determined to do better going forward. Show them you deserve this!
  • Keep your letter clear and to the point.

Don’t forget to include important information, like your account number and the date and amount of the missed payment you want removed from your credit history. Once you’ve written your goodwill letter, address it using the information on the creditor’s website.

2.This Guy Added Nearly 300 Points to his Credit Score — See How You Can Raise Yours, Too*

You’ve got big plans. Maybe you’ve got your eye on a new car. Or you’re hoping to buy a house in the next few years. Or you’d even like to start your own business. But here’s the thing: No matter what your goals are, you might not realize how much your credit score is standing in your way.

The good news? A free website called Credit Sesame makes it easy to put your credit score on track to reach your goals. We even talked to one guy, James Cooper, of Atlanta, who used Credit Sesame to raise his credit score nearly 300 points in six months.*** He says they showed him exactly what to do — he was even able to open his first credit card.

What could adding 300 points to your score mean for your goals? It could easily save you thousands of dollars over the life of a car loan or mortgage.

Within 90 seconds, Credit Sesame will give you access to your credit score, any debt-carrying accounts and a handful of personalized tips to improve your score. You’ll even be able to spot any errors holding you back (one in five reports have one).

Make sure your plans don’t get sidelined by bad credit. Sign up for free (it only takes about 90 seconds) and see how much you could improve your score.

If Your Credit Score Is Under 700, Make These 6 Moves ASAP (1)

3.Ask This Website to Help Pay Your Credit Card Bill This Month

No, like… the whole bill. All of it.

While you’re stressing out over your debt, your credit card company is getting rich off those insane interest rates. But a website called Fiona could help you pay off that bill as soon as tomorrow.

Here’s how it works: Fiona can match you with a low-interest loan you can use to pay off every credit card balance you have. The benefit? You’re left with just one bill to pay every month, and because the interest rate is so much lower, you can get out of debt so much faster. Plus, no credit card payment this month.

If your credit score is at least 620, Fiona can help you borrow up to $100,000 (no collateral needed) with fixed rates starting at 5.20% and terms from 4 to 144 months.

Fiona won’t make you stand in line or call a bank. And if you’re worried you won’t qualify, it’s free to check online. It takes just two minutes, and it could save you thousands of dollars. Totally worth it.

All that credit card debt — and the anxiety that comes with it — could be gone by tomorrow.

4. Stop Wasting Money on Overdraft Fees

We’ve all been hit with an overdraft fee at one time or another. It’s like a cruel joke — “Woops; looks like you don’t have any money. Here, now pay this fee!”

It’s a major part of how banks make their money. But a debit card with Chime® will let you overdraft up to $200 without any fees. Seriously. Then, the next time you deposit money, Chime puts that money toward repaying what they spotted you — no fees.

All you have to do is take a few minutes to sign up for an account. Then, when you set up a monthly direct deposit of at least $200, you’ll be able to enroll.* It’s super easy — plus, you won’t have to stress about overdrafting anymore.

5.You Can Become Debt Free — Without Paying it All Off

It doesn’t matter how much debt you’re in. Trying to stay on top of it all can be overwhelming. Especially when the overdue credit card notices and threats from creditors start rolling in…

The good news is, a company called National Debt Relief could help you pay off your debt for significantly less than you owe, and in less time. No bankruptcy, no loans and no need to have good credit.

How? It offers a strategy a lot of people don’t know about, called debt relief.

Here’s how it works: If you owe at least $10,000 in unsecured debt (credit card debt, personal loans, medical bills, etc.), National Debt Relief’s experts will create a customized plan just for you. As the monthly payments add up, they negotiate with your creditors to reduce the amount you owe. You then pay off the rest in a lump sum.

On average, you could become debt-free within 24 to 48 months.

National Debt Relief has already helped more than 500,000 people pay off over $5 billion in debt.

Find out what your best options are for taking control of your debt and living the life you want. It takes less than a minute to sign up for a free consultation.

6.Ask This Company to Reduce a Big Chunk of Your Credit Card Debt

Not trying to be dramatic, but card debt is like a dark, suffocating abyss that swallows your finances and leaves you feeling trapped and helpless.

So, what if you could just… get rid of credit card debt that’s weighing you down?

A company called Freedom Debt Relief could help you do just that. Its negotiators could work directly with your credit card companies to reduce your overall credit card debt.

It’s free to talk with a Freedom Debt Relief debt consultant to determine the best strategy for your situation. You’ll need to show why you’re struggling to make your payments and tell them a little bit about your finances.

Then, Freedom Debt Relief will work out just how much of your debt they could reduce — they’ve already helped over 850,000 people settle over $15 billion in debt.

Once enrolled in the program, Freedom Debt Relief will negotiate a settlement with your creditor, and if you approve the offer they come back with, you’ll pay off that reduced balance though a monthly program deposit.

It’s free to see just how much of your debt you can get rid of.

*High Yield Savings (APY is Annual Percentage Yield). Ask for details. Additional terms, conditions, fees & exclusions may apply. Rates may change without notice. $100 required to open account. There is a $10.00 excess transaction fee for every transaction over six for pre authorized withdrawals, automatic or telephonic transfers, checks, drafts, and debit card or similar transactions from your account per account statement cycle. If the account is closed before interest and/or bonus is credited, accrued interest and/or bonus may be forfeited for that statement cycle. Fees could reduce earnings. Information is as of April 7, 2022.

**National Average APY information as of 04/18/2022, according to the FDIC National Rates and Rate Caps.

Contact Freedom Debt Relief to see if you are eligible for their program

*Like Cooper andBuitureria, 60% of Credit Sesame members see an increase in their credit score; 50% see at least a 10-point increase, and 20% see at least a 50-point increase after 180 days.

Credit Sesame does not guarantee any of these results, and some may even see a decrease in their credit score. Any score improvement is the result of many factors, including paying bills on time, keeping credit balances low, avoiding unnecessary inquiries, appropriate financial planning and developing better credit habits.

*Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC.

*Results may vary. Some may not see improved scores or approval odds. Not all lenders use Experian credit files, and not all lenders use scores impacted by Experian Boost.

** Credit score calculated based on FICO® Score 8 model. Your lender or insurer may use a different FICO® Score than FICO® Score 8, or another type of credit score altogether. Learn more at Experian.com.

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If Your Credit Score Is Under 700, Make These 6 Moves ASAP (2024)

FAQs

How fast can I go from no credit to 700? ›

Starting with zero credit history, you can establish credit in as little as six months. Achieving a "good" credit score of 700 or better usually requires making timely payments for at least 18 months to two years, but it's possible to find shortcuts.

How long does it take to go from 700 to 750 credit score? ›

If you are already at 700, then it will take you a few months to get to 750 with consistent good credit behavior – like paying your bills on time, maintaining a low credit utilization rate, not applying for multiple new credit accounts at once, and keeping old credit cards open even if you don't use them much.

Is a credit score below 700 bad? ›

Additionally, because a 700 FICO® Score is on the lower end of the Good range, you'll probably want to manage your score carefully to prevent dropping into the more restrictive Fair credit score range (580 to 669). 40% of consumers have FICO® Scores lower than 700.

How do I raise my credit score 40 points fast? ›

Summary: Here are six ways to raise your credit score 40 points fast: check for errors on your report, remove late payments, reduce credit card debt, become an authorized user, make payments twice a month, and build credit with your credit card.

Is 650 a good credit score? ›

As someone with a 650 credit score, you are firmly in the “fair” territory of credit. You can usually qualify for financial products like a mortgage or car loan, but you will likely pay higher interest rates than someone with a better credit score. The "good" credit range starts at 690.

How can I raise my credit score 100 points overnight? ›

5 Ways to Boost Your Credit Score Overnight
  1. Review Your Credit Reports and Dispute Errors.
  2. Pay Bills On Time.
  3. Report Positive Payment History Like Utilities to Credit Bureaus.
  4. Keep Old Accounts Open.
  5. Keep Your Credit Balances Under 30%
Jun 26, 2024

How to repair credit fast? ›

If you want to improve your credit quickly, the following strategies could help:
  1. Use a reputable credit repair service.
  2. Prioritize and pay outstanding debt.
  3. Explore secured credit cards.
  4. Become an authorized user.
  5. Develop a budget and stick to it.
Feb 27, 2024

How to raise your credit score 200 points in 30 days? ›

How to Raise Your Credit Score by 200 Points
  1. Get More Credit Accounts.
  2. Pay Down High Credit Card Balances.
  3. Always Make On-Time Payments.
  4. Keep the Accounts that You Already Have.
  5. Dispute Incorrect Items on Your Credit Report.

How rare is a 750 credit score? ›

Twenty-four percent have a FICO® Score between 750 and 799, making the "very good" bracket. Data source: FICO (2022). Nearly half of Americans score between 750 and 850, in the very good to exceptional range, while less than 25% of Americans have a score between 300 and 649, the poor to fair credit score range.

How rare is an 800 credit score? ›

According to a report by FICO, only 23% of the scorable population has a credit score of 800 or above.

What's the average person's credit score? ›

What is the average credit score? The average FICO credit score in the US is 717, according to the latest FICO data. The average VantageScore is 701 as of January 2024.

What is a good credit score to buy a car? ›

Most obviously, a good credit score, usually a score of 680 or above, can ensure a low interest rate. Lower monthly payments. The more competitive your interest rate is, the less expensive your monthly vehicle payment will be. Smaller down payment.

Should I pay off my credit card in full or leave a small balance? ›

It's a good idea to pay off your credit card balance in full whenever you're able. Carrying a monthly credit card balance can cost you in interest and increase your credit utilization rate, which is one factor used to calculate your credit scores.

Can I pay someone to fix my credit? ›

Repairing your credit doesn't have to cost you anything. You can handle the process yourself by following the step-by-step instructions on the three major credit bureaus' websites. If you want help, you can hire a credit repair company to assist you.

How to ask for late payment forgiveness? ›

An effective goodwill letter requires the following:
  1. Address the creditor or lender respectfully and thank them for their time.
  2. Clearly explain the situation that led to the late payment with relevant details and/or documentation to support your explanation.
  3. Own up to the mistake without excuses.
Mar 22, 2024

How long does it take to get from 0 to 800 credit score? ›

Credit History Matters

The longer you've been using credit, the more it means to your credit score. Members of the 800 Club average just under 22 years of using credit. Even the youngest ones, Millennials, average more than 14 years.

How long does it take to build credit from no credit? ›

History isn't instant. If you haven't used credit before, it usually takes at least six months to generate a credit score – and longer to earn a good or excellent score.

How to get 700 credit score fast? ›

Quick Answer

To get your credit score above 700, focus on paying your bills on time, reducing credit card debt, avoiding unnecessary debt and keeping an eye on your credit reports.

How to go from 0 credit score to 600? ›

Here are the best ways to build credit:
  1. Get a Store Card. ...
  2. Apply for a Secured Credit Card at a Bank. ...
  3. Start a Digital Checking Account. ...
  4. Apply for a Credit-Builder Loan. ...
  5. Find a Co-Signer. ...
  6. Become an Authorized User on Another Person's Credit Card. ...
  7. Report Rent and Utility Payments to Credit Bureaus. ...
  8. Consider a Student Credit Card.

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