Use the menu below to explore tips and tools from Learn & Grow and Captial One that can help you as you establish or rebuild your credt.
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How to build credit from scratch
Learn different approaches to start building credit from the ground up.
What to know before getting your first credit card
Before you apply, learn five things to prepare you to be a first-time cardholder.
See if you're pre-approved
Check for pre-approval offers with no risk to your credit score.
Why is credit important?
Having credit can be an important part of planning for the future. Your credit history is an indication of how you’ve managed debt in the past. But how might credit affect your financial decisions in the future?
Credit Reporting & Scoring 101
What is credit history?
Find out what information your credit history contains and how it relates to your credit report and scores.
Types of credit scores
Learn why you may have more than one credit score and what that means for you.
Credit-Building FAQs
1.
What are the major credit bureaus?
Equifax®, Experian® and TransUnion® are the three major credit bureaus. Sometimes called credit reporting agencies or consumer reporting companies, they compile credit reports. The companies differ from credit-scoring companies, such as FICO® and VantageScore®.
2.
How can I build my credit if I have no credit?
It’s weird to think you might need credit in order to build credit. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t options. When done responsibly, you might be able to build credit by:
- Using a secured credit card
- Taking out a credit-builder loan
- Becoming an authorized user
3.
What is your credit score if you have no credit?
Credit scores are complicated, but having no credit doesn’t mean your credit score is zero—or that it will be near zero when you start to build credit. There’s a difference between having no credit and having bad credit.
4.
How quickly can someone raise their credit score?
There are no quick fixes or shortcuts when it comes to boosting your credit score. But if you’re using credit responsibly, you’re on the right track to having good credit.
5.
How can I monitor my credit?
If you want an idea where you stand, you can use a tool like CreditWise from Capital One. It’s free to all—whether you’re a Capital One customer or not. And using it to check your credit won’t hurt your scores. So it’s perfect for tracking your progress.
You can also get free copies of your credit reports by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com.
6.
Can I pay to rebuild my credit?
Building credit takes time. And while there may be trustworthy credit counselors who can help you, beware of credit repair scams and companies that promise to boost your credit overnight.