Worst Credit Habits That Prevent a Major Score Increase

Everyone dreams of a higher credit score, especially if you're aiming for that 100 point credit score increase. Whether you're planning to buy a house, get a car loan, or simply want better financial health, boosting your credit score is a crucial step. But while you're focusing on how to increase credit score by 100 points, some hidden credit habits might be silently holding you back.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the worst credit habits that can block your path to a 100 point increase credit score, and how you can avoid them to improve your financial future.

1. Missing or Late Payments

One of the biggest red flags on your credit report is missed or late payments. Payment history makes up 35% of your credit score, so even a single late payment can have a significant negative impact.

Why it hurts: It shows lenders you may be unreliable with repayments, and it can stay on your report for up to seven years.

What to do: Set up automatic payments or reminders. Always pay at least the minimum due on time.

2. Maxing Out Credit Cards

High credit card balances can damage your credit score, especially when your credit utilization ratio goes above 30%. This ratio is the percentage of available credit you’re using. The higher it is, the more it hurts your score.

Why it hurts: It signals that you might be financially stretched, increasing your risk in the eyes of lenders.

What to do: Keep your balances low, ideally under 30% of your credit limit. If possible, pay your balance in full each month.

3. Applying for Too Much Credit at Once

Applying for multiple credit cards or loans within a short time can lead to numerous hard inquiries on your report. Each hard inquiry can slightly reduce your credit score.

Why it hurts: Too many inquiries suggest you're desperate for credit or facing financial trouble.

What to do: Space out your applications. Research lenders before applying to increase your approval chances and avoid unnecessary inquiries.

4. Closing Old Credit Accounts

It might seem like a good idea to close unused accounts, but doing so can actually hurt your credit score.

Why it hurts: Your credit history length and total available credit both impact your score. Closing accounts reduces both.

What to do: Keep older accounts open, especially if they have no annual fees. They add to your credit history and increase your available credit limit, improving your utilization ratio.

5. Ignoring Your Credit Report

Many people don’t regularly check their credit reports, which means they may miss errors or signs of identity theft.

Why it hurts: A simple mistake—like a wrong account balance or a payment marked late—can prevent a 100 point credit score increase.

6. Only Paying the Minimum Amount

While paying the minimum keeps your account in good standing, it won’t help reduce your balance quickly, especially if you have high-interest rates.

Why it hurts: High balances impact your credit utilization and can trap you in a cycle of debt.

What to do: Try to pay more than the minimum each month. Focus on high-interest debt first or use a strategy like the debt snowball or avalanche method.

7. Having No Credit Mix

Lenders like to see that you can manage different types of credit, like credit cards, installment loans, and retail accounts.

Why it hurts: A lack of variety may not necessarily damage your score, but it can limit your credit-building potential.

What to do: If you only have credit cards, consider a small personal loan or a credit-builder loan. Just be sure you can afford the payments.

8. Co-Signing Loans Without Caution

When you co-sign for someone, you're taking full responsibility for the loan. If they miss a payment, it affects your credit score too.

Why it hurts: You’re trusting someone else with your credit health. If they default, you’re on the hook.

What to do: Only co-sign if you’re confident the borrower is responsible. Monitor the loan payments to ensure everything stays on track.

The Road to a 100 Point Credit Score Increase

Avoiding these bad habits is a great first step toward a stronger financial future. If you're serious about learning how to increase 100 points in credit score, then it’s time to take a more strategic approach.

Here’s a detailed guide that walks you step-by-step through boosting your score by 100 points:
https://blog.pfscores.com/raise-credit-score-100-points/

This guide covers:

• Proven methods to fix your credit

• Tools to track progress

• Mistakes to avoid

• Tips that work even if you’re starting with a low score

Final Thoughts

Getting a 100 point increase credit score is possible—but not if you’re unknowingly sabotaging your efforts with bad credit habits. By becoming more aware of how your actions affect your credit, and following the right steps, you can make real, measurable progress.

Small consistent actions like paying on time, reducing debt, and monitoring your credit report can create massive improvements over time.

So, if you're wondering how increase credit score by 100 points, start by eliminating these bad habits and staying committed to your financial goals. Your future self will thank you.