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What is a Credit Score and How to Improve It

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Discover what a credit score is, how itโ€™s calculated, the factors that influence your score, and check out 7 effective strategies to boost your score quickly.

Understanding and Improving Your Credit Score

๐Ÿ“Œ Introduction

Have you ever tried to get financing, request a credit card, or apply for a loan and received the answer: โ€œcredit deniedโ€?
This may be directly related to your credit score.

The credit score is a number that shows how reliable you are as a borrower โ€” and it directly influences financial institutions’ decisions.
Understanding how it works and what to do to increase it is essential to access better credit conditions.

In this article, you will learn:

  • What a credit score is

  • How it is calculated

  • The score ranges and what they mean

  • How to safely and consistently increase your score


๐Ÿ“Œ What is a Credit Score?

A credit score is a number ranging from 0 to 1000 points, used by banks, finance companies, and stores to assess the risk of default by an individual.

โœ… The higher the score, the better your chances of getting credit with favorable terms.


๐Ÿงฎ How is the Score Calculated?

Each credit bureau (like Serasa, SPC, Boa Vista, and Quod) has its own algorithm, but the main factors generally are:

Factor Approximate Weight
On-time bill payments 35%
History of paid debts 30%
Relationship with the market 20%
Recent CPF inquiries 10%
Updated personal data 5%

๐Ÿ“Š Credit Score Ranges and What They Mean

Score Range Points Default Risk Credit Access
Low 0 to 300 High Difficult
Regular 301 to 500 Medium Limited
Good 501 to 700 Low Possible
Very Good / Excellent 701 to 1000 Very Low Easy, with lower interest

๐Ÿš€ How to Increase Your Credit Score

Now that you know how the score works, here are 7 practical strategies to boost it:

โœ… 1. Pay Your Bills On Time

This is the most important scoring factor. Prioritize paying bills by their due date, especially:

  • Credit cards

  • Utilities (water, electricity, phone)

  • Loans and invoices

Tip: Set up automatic debit or reminders to avoid forgetting payments.


๐Ÿ” 2. Negotiate and Settle Old Debts

If you have a negative record, it directly affects your score.
Use platforms such as:

  • Serasa Limpa Nome

  • Acordo Certo

  • Desenrola Brasil

Once debts are cleared, your score will start to recover.


๐Ÿ“‹ 3. Keep Your Data Updated at Credit Bureaus

Maintain your registration data up-to-date on sites like:

  • Serasa

  • Boa Vista

  • SPC Brasil

  • Quod

Updated information signals responsibility to lenders.


๐Ÿฆ 4. Build a Positive Credit History

Even small credit purchases help build your reputation. Use credit wisely:

  • Always pay your credit card balance in full

  • Avoid long installment plans

  • Use only up to 30% of your available credit limit


๐Ÿ”’ 5. Avoid Many CPF Credit Checks

Multiple credit inquiries in a short time signal financial distress to lenders.
For simulations, use platforms that donโ€™t immediately check your CPF.


๐Ÿ’ณ 6. Use Positive Credit Registration (Cadastro Positivo)

Cadastro Positivo lets institutions see your on-time payments, not just defaults.
Itโ€™s automatic in most cases, but you can activate and monitor it on credit bureau websites.


๐Ÿ’ฐ 7. Avoid Late Payments on Credit Cards and Overdrafts

These products carry the highest interest rates. Small delays can lead to unmanageable debt and damage your score.
If you must use them, pay off as quickly as possible.


๐Ÿ“ˆ How Long Does It Take to Increase Your Score?

Score improvements are not immediate. It usually takes 30 to 90 days depending on your actions:

Action Score Impact Estimated Time
Settle negative debts High 1 to 2 months
Update registration data Low Immediate
Continuous on-time payments Medium to High 2 to 6 months
Join Cadastro Positivo Medium 1 to 3 months

โœ… Conclusion

Having a good credit score is key to accessing opportunities like:

  • Low-interest financing

  • Credit cards with more benefits

  • Higher limits and easier approvals

With small daily habits, you can improve your score and strengthen your financial health.