If you want to have access to more money and better loans and credit cards, improving your CIBIL score will enable you to negotiate the terms. Having a better score means lower rates of interest and more financial opportunities. Here are some simple ways to raise your score in this space:
- Pay your bills on time: Late payments will reflect poorly on your score.
- Reduce your credit utilization: Using less from your overall approved limit helps.
- Resolve any mistakes on your credit report: Mistakes can hurt your score.
- Limit the number of credit applications: Too many credit applications will be detrimental to your score.
- Keep old credit cards open: Having credit history for as long as possible will help.
- Mixing types of creditors: Having a mixture of loans and credit cards is most beneficial.
- Get expert help: Don't be afraid to ask for help.
By using the tips above, you will not only improve your CIBIL score but find better opportunities.
Pay on Time
Paying your bills and loans on time is the biggest factor in raising your CIBIL score. Paying late or missing payments can leave you a lot worse off. The longer you wait, the more it affects your credit history. Use alerts, reminders, or consider automatic payments, so you will never have to miss a due date. Consistently making your payments on time will illustrate good financial habits that will take you far in improving your CIBIL score over time. The best way to show that you can responsibly manage credit is through timely payments.
Lower Credit Usage
Using a high percentage of your available credit can negatively affect your CIBIL score. It’s recommended to keep your credit utilization ratio below 30%. This means if you have a credit limit of ₹1,00,000, try to use less than ₹30,000 at any time. High credit usage indicates that you are financially stretched, and this could lower your score. To improve your CIBIL score, aim to pay down your credit card balances regularly. The less of your available credit you use, the better your CIBIL score will be.
Fix Report Errors
Mistakes on your credit report can cause a bad CIBIL score. It’s essential to check your credit report at least yearly for any mistakes, such as the wrong personal details, any missed payments you actually made, or even fraud. Bring any mistakes to the credit bureau and dispute them right away to have a chance of increasing your CIBIL score! You should try to check your credit report at least once a year to make sure all your information is accurate.
Limit Credit Applications
Too many credit applications in a short period can harm your CIBIL score. Each time you apply for credit, a hard inquiry is made, which is noted in your credit report. Multiple hard inquiries can make you appear credit-hungry, reducing your CIBIL score. To improve your score, only apply for credit when necessary. If you need to borrow money, it’s better to check your eligibility first before formally applying. Limiting the number of credit applications will help you maintain a positive CIBIL score.
Keep Old Cards
One of the best ways to improve your CIBIL score is to keep older credit cards open. The length of your credit history is a key factor in your score, and older accounts improve that length. Don’t close old accounts, even if you no longer use them. Keeping them open shows that you’ve managed credit for a long time, which can positively impact your CIBIL score. However, make sure to use the cards occasionally to keep them active. A longer credit history can significantly boost your CIBIL score.
Mix Credit Types
Variety in credit types can be useful for improving your CIBIL score. Having credit cards and loans shows lenders you can handle multiple types of credit, both revolving (credit cards) and installment (personal loans). If your credit history only has one type of credit, it could result in a lower CIBIL score. Make sure to have a balance of types and manage them properly. A better balance of credit types can demonstrate to lenders that you are capable of managing different types of credit, which may increase your score.
Get Expert Help
If you feel you are at a loss for how to work on your CIBIL score, you could look into getting professional help. A financial advisor or credit repair service can help you think through practical changes to improve your score. The benefit of getting their help is that, once they have analyzed your report, they can provide you with advice to address those problem areas and actionable steps to improve your score. Just remember to vet them and only choose a qualified and reputable professional. You can also receive other recommendations on how to reduce debt, strategies when dealing with disputes and how to maintain a healthy credit score in the future. Professional help can make the improvement process more manageable and achievable.