Credit & debt: scores, reports and payoff plans

How credit scores work, how to get your free reports and dispute errors, how to improve your score and how to pay debt off faster.

Figures from official sources · Checked 30 September 2026

300 – 850Base FICO Score range

35%Payment history weight

30%Amounts owed weight

7 yearsMost negative items stay for

📈300 – 850Base FICO Score range

💵35%Payment history weight

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🎯30%Amounts owed weight

✅7 yearsMost negative items stay …

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🔢 Key numbers

Item	Figure	Source
Base FICO Score range	300 – 850	myFICO
Payment history weight	35%	myFICO
Amounts owed weight	30%	myFICO
Most negative items stay for	7 years	CFPB
Chapter 7 bankruptcy stays for	10 years	CFPB
Bureau dispute investigation	30 days	CFPB

Each figure links to the guide that explains it and lists the official source. Rates and limits change — always confirm with the source or provider.

All credit & debt guides

📄Credit scores explained: ranges and what goes into themBase FICO Scores run from 300 to 850. Five factors determine the score, and payment history and amounts owed count the most.📄How to get your free credit reportsYou can check your credit report from all three bureaus for free every week at AnnualCreditReport.com — the only authorized site.📄How long negative information stays on your credit reportMost negative items can be reported for seven years; bankruptcies can stay up to ten.📄How to dispute errors on your credit reportYou can dispute mistakes with the credit bureau and the company that reported them. Bureaus generally must investigate within 30 days.📄How to improve your credit scoreFocus on the factors that count most: pay on time, use less of your available credit, and avoid unnecessary new accounts.📄Debt snowball vs debt avalancheTwo ways to pay off several debts: avalanche (highest interest rate first) saves the most interest; snowball (smallest balance first) gives quicker wins.📄Debt consolidation options and what to watch forConsolidation combines debts into one payment. It only helps if the new rate and fees are lower than what you pay now and you do not run the balances up again.📄Credit freeze vs fraud alert: which one to useBoth are free. A freeze blocks access to your credit file until you lift it; a fraud alert lasts one year.📄Hard vs soft credit inquiriesSoft inquiries do not affect your score; hard inquiries appear on your report for two years.

🧮 Calculators

⛰️Debt Payoff Calculator (Avalanche vs Snowball)Open calculator 💳Credit Card Payoff CalculatorOpen calculator 🔁Balance Transfer CalculatorOpen calculator

❓ Frequently asked questions

How often can I get my credit report for free?

Every week from each of Equifax, Experian and TransUnion at AnnualCreditReport.com — the only authorized site.

What affects my credit score most?

Payment history (35% of a FICO Score) and amounts owed (30%). Pay on time and keep card balances low relative to your limits.

Can I remove accurate negative information?

Generally no; accurate negative items can be reported for the time limits set by law — usually seven years. You can dispute errors for free.

Avalanche or snowball?

Avalanche (highest interest first) usually saves the most interest; snowball (smallest balance first) can be easier to stick with. Compare them in the debt payoff calculator.

General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. See our editorial policy and disclaimer.