5 Common Mistakes That Hurt Your Credit Score

1. Missing or Late Payments

Payment history is typically the single largest factor across most credit scoring models. Even one missed payment can have an outsized impact on your score.

2. Maxing Out Credit Cards

High credit utilization — using a large percentage of your available credit — is commonly viewed unfavorably, even if you pay your balance in full each month.

3. Applying for Too Much Credit at Once

Multiple credit applications in a short period can each trigger a hard inquiry, which may temporarily lower your score and signal higher risk to lenders.

4. Closing Old Credit Accounts

Closing your oldest credit card can shorten your average credit history and reduce your total available credit, both of which can work against your score.

5. Not Checking Your Credit Report for Errors

Errors on your credit report — from incorrect account information to fraudulent accounts — can drag your score down without your knowledge. Regularly reviewing your report helps you catch and dispute these early.