Don't apply for credit if you think you will be denied. Don't try to apply for credit cards too frequently. Submitting too many credit applications in a short period of time can lower your credit score and make it more difficult to get credit when you really need it.
I checked my credit score once and for the next 2 or 3 years, the email address used to check was swamped with spam. I finally discontinued using it and no longer check my credit rating.
I for one think that the register should reflect the truth and we should push for more information to be kept so that in the future we won't have to "prove" our credit history.
This is not entirely true. Doing so will leave your credit report empty and thus your score as no credit, which is almost as bad as having bad credit.
General rule would be apply for 1 new thing per year, if you must. Having a credit card that you don't use regularly is still reported and still looks goods in your file.
You are absolutely right on the nail with this tip. I'm not sure what it's like in the US regarding applications, but here in Australia, even if you check into getting a loan or credit card, they deem it as an application... even if you didn't apply to take on that loan or card. The register that collates all this material never registers the fact that it was only an "enquiry". So, the more online "enquiries" you make, the more likely you are to be denied a loan or card when you most need it. For instance, a colleague of mine wanted to consolidate his debt in to one loan so that he could pay it off quicker with a lower interest rate. However, his zealous "checking" of all the loans and cards out there made it difficult to get a loan in the end because the banks thought that he had actually applied for all those loans. The registrer never showed what loans he had, but rather registered all the applications. Some people had to go and chase up all the banks they were supposed to have loans or cards with just to get letters stating that they didn't have anything with that particular lender/lenders. Best of all, avoid loans and cards if you can and buy with cash.
I for one think that the register should reflect the truth and we should push for more information to be kept so that in the future we won't have to "prove" our credit history.
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