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Things you didn't know about your CIBIL score
S
Subramanyam KrishnamurthyNov 29, 2021
3 min read
In my experience, I have deciphered that the term credit has a rather negative connotation especially for Indians. Having said that, millions of Indians survive and get by on credit. Loans and credit cards are forms of credit that we incur on a monthly basis. While everyone knows about CIBIL, here are a few things many didn’t know about the score:
1. **It's not just for loans**: Your CIBIL score can affect your ability to get a job or even rent an apartment in some cases.
2. **Credit Utilization matters**: Just because you have a high limit doesn't mean you should use it. Keeping utilization below 30% is ideal.
3. **Multiple inquiries can hurt**: Every time you apply for credit, it's a 'hard inquiry'. Too many in a short time can lower your score.
4. **Old accounts are good**: The age of your credit history matters. Keeping old accounts active shows stability.
### How to improve your score?
- Pay all your bills on time, every time.
- Keep your credit utilization low.
- Don't close old credit card accounts.
- Monitor your credit report for errors.
### Conclusion
Knowing your CIBIL score and how it works is the first step toward financial freedom. It is a powerful tool that, when used responsibly, can open many doors.