Does A Debt Consolidation Program Affect Your Credit Score?

If you're worried about the effects of a debt consolidation program on your credit score, the effect is really up to you. A consolidation won't affect your credit score in a big way immediately if it does have an effect at all. It can have a significant effect on your credit score, and understanding how will help you understand your credit score in general.

First, credit companies will see that you have taken out new debt. This can seem like a bad thing at first, but if you are able to pay off large amounts of debt, you appear to be a responsible borrower who can handle large amounts and payments. This can raise your credit score in the long run. It can also do damage if credit companies think you borrow too much and too often. All in all, you have the power to decide the effect, and it can help your score if you allow it.

Second, you will be able to close out credit cards that you previously owed money on. At first, you might be tempted to close any or all of these accounts, but it's important to understand how that looks on your credit report. If you are a borrower who has a lot of credit available, it can actually help your score since you can prove you can handle a lot of credit. If you close too many accounts, your available credit shrinks, and it makes you look like you're already borrowing the maximum amount you can handle. You want to have a balanced appearance of available and used credit, so if you do close accounts, be sure to close the ones you've opened recently. That way, you can have the benefit of a long-term account in good standing while closing accounts you don't need. Consolidation can make credit available, and depending on how you use it, it can help your score.

All in all, debt consolidation only has the potential to affect your credit score. If you are careful about how you deal with and understand your credit after debt consolidation, you can raise your score higher than you thought possible. If you're not careful, you can end up right back where you started. With debt consolidation, the effect on your credit score is all up to you, and can give you the power again over your debts.