When it comes to debt payments, it’s pretty cut and dry:
Late payments are bad and can kill your credit score. On-time payments are good and can pave the way to your financial goals.
Stacey C. came to CredEvolv with some past issues and plenty of future potential. She quickly realized that the former weren’t insurmountable, and the latter could be realized with a little legwork and discipline.
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With a 518 credit score, Stacey C. needed help to reach her lender’s minimum score of 620 to qualify for a home loan. We connected her with a HUD-approved, nonprofit credit counselor, who successfully removed 7 late payments from her credit report while helping her create a budget to ensure on-time payments on all her accounts. Ten months later, her score rose to 604, and she continues to work toward becoming mortgage-ready and reaching her personal goal of 640.
Why are on-time payments so important?
Your payment history is the single biggest factor in determining your credit score, accounting for about 35% of it. That’s why making on-time payments is non-negotiable if you want to improve your credit.
- Set reminders for yourself. Use calendar alerts, apps, or automatic payments to ensure you never miss a due date.
- Adopt the mindset that a little is better than nothing. If you’re unable to pay your full balance, at least make the minimum payment. This protects your credit score and helps you avoid late fees. Missing a payment should not be an option.
- Know your due dates. If multiple payments feel overwhelming, contact your lenders to align due dates closer together.
Consistency is key. Every on-time payment builds a positive credit history. Over time, your effort can significantly boost your score.
What can and can’t be removed from my credit report?
As we discussed in one of our Credit Education blogs, it’s important to know what can legally come off your credit report and what must remain. Here’s the truth: Better credit is not about erasing your financial past. It’s about correcting inaccuracies and improving your credit going forward.
There’s a lot of misinformation out there. Some so-called credit repair companies claim they can remove all derogatory information from your credit report. But this simply isn’t true. In fact, it’s illegal to remove accurate information, even if it’s negative.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), credit reporting agencies are required to report accurate, verifiable information. If you missed a payment or defaulted on a loan, for instance, that information can legally stay on your report for up to seven years. Bankruptcies can remain for up to 10 years.
At CredEvolv, we want to set the record straight: no one can legally remove accurate, negative information from your credit report. What the certified, nonprofit counselors on our platform can do, however, is help you dispute any inaccuracies or outdated information that may be hurting your score unfairly. They are trained to spot errors and unfair practices on your report.
This gives you the best chance of improving your credit by removing anything that doesn’t belong – and making progress toward a credit score goal like Stacey did!
Read more credit success stories here!