Check your credit report and score.

Credit score is a number that represents how reliable someone is at paying back money they borrow. It's based on things like their credit history and current debts, and it's used by lenders to determine whether to approve someone for a loan or credit card, and what interest rate to offer them. A higher credit score generally means a person is more likely to be approved for credit and offered lower interest rates.

To check your credit score online, visit websites of credit reporting agencies. After creating an account with them and verifying your identity, you will be able to view your credit score. You can also subscribe to Norton Identity Advisor Plus, which can help you see your credit score quickly and easily¹⁸.

Sign up to Norton Identity Advisor Plus, which can provide you with Credit Alerts¹⁸ when there are major changes to your credit report, such as a closed account, missed payment, or use of more of your available credit lines.

Your credit score can be affected by a number of factors including:

1. Payment history: Making payments on time is important because late or missed payments can negatively impact your score.
2. Credit utilization: This means how much credit you are using compared to your credit limit. Using too much credit can negatively impact your score.
3. Length of credit history: The longer you have had credit accounts in good standing, the better it can be for your credit score.
4. Types of credit: Having a mix of different types of credit, such as a mortgage, auto loan, and credit card, can help improve your credit score.
5. New credit applications: Applying for too much new credit in a short period of time can lower your score.
6. Negative items: Negative items such as collections, bankruptcies, or foreclosures can significantly lower your credit score.
    

You can check your credit score and report as often as you like. Checking your own credit report or score¹⁸ does not affect your credit rating in any way. In fact, it's a good idea to check your credit report regularly to ensure that the information is accurate and up to date and Norton Identity Advisor Plus makes checking your credit score and report easier than ever.

What is considered as a "good" credit score depend on the credit scoring model used. Credit scoring model used by TransUnion, for example, range from 300 to 850. A credit score of 721 or above is considered good, while a score of 781 or above is considered excellent.

Improving your credit score takes time and consistent effort, but there are several steps you can take to help improve your score:

1. Pay on time: Payment history is the most important factor in determining your credit score, so make sure you pay all of your bills on time.
2. Reduce your credit card balances: High credit card balances can negatively impact your credit score, so try to keep your balances low and pay off your cards in full each month.
3. Check your credit report for errors: Errors on your credit report can drag down your score, so check your report regularly and dispute any errors you find.
4. Don't close old credit accounts: Closing old credit accounts can shorten your credit history and reduce your score, so try to keep your accounts open, even if you don't use them.
5. Don't apply for credit too often: Every time you apply for credit, it can temporarily lower your score. So, only apply for credit when you really need it.
6. Diversify your credit mix: Having a mix of different types of credit, such as credit cards, installment loans, and mortgages, can help improve your score.