General information only; not financial or tax advice. Laws and lender policies change—verify specifics before acting.
Separate myths from bureau realities to stay score‑smart.
Misconceptions lead to poor decisions—like closing an old card and losing credit age. Know what bureaus actually consider and focus on behaviours that move the needle.
- Soft inquiries (self‑checks) don’t affect score; hard inquiries do.
- Income helps approval but score depends on credit conduct.
- Old, well‑managed accounts are assets for your profile.