8 credit score myths

[8 credit score myths]

8 credit score myths

SALEM, Ore. (CNN/Money) - Your credit score, or FICO score, is arguably one of the most important pieces of information in your financial life.

Lenders, landlords, insurers, utility companies and even employers scrutinize this rating -- which sums up all of the information in your credit reports with three digits ranging from 300 to 850.

Yet, according to a survey released Tuesday, nearly half of all Americans don't understand what these scores measure or what factors go into them.

The survey, conducted by Opinion Research Corporation for the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and Fair Isaac Corporation, found that 49 percent of respondents do not understand that credit scores measure a person's credit risk, while 45 percent think – incorrectly – that a higher income will result in a higher credit score.

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