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Credit score basics

Building US credit from zero in 12 months

A US credit score takes months of reported history to appear and a year or more to look solid. The habits matter more than the card. This is the checklist most newcomers can follow.

Where a credit score comes from

There are three US credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Lenders report your accounts to them every month, and scoring models such as FICO and VantageScore turn those records into a score. FICO scores run from 300 to 850 and weight payment history 35%, amounts owed 30%, length of history 15%, credit mix 10% and new credit 10%.

So habits decide the score: pay on time, keep balances low, let accounts age. Below is a 12-month checklist; if you do not have a card yet, start with the credit card picker.

Build credit in 12 months: checklist

  1. Month 0Open one first card. Set autopay for the statement balance. Put one small recurring bill on it (e.g. your phone plan).
  2. Months 1–3Keep the balance reported on each statement low — many guides suggest under 30% of the limit, lower is better. Never miss a payment.
  3. Month 3Check your free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion at AnnualCreditReport.com; make sure the card shows up and your name and address are right.
  4. Month 6myFICO says a file needs an account at least 6 months old (and one updated in the last 6 months) to get a FICO score. Do not open several new cards at once.
  5. Months 6–9Ask for a credit limit increase, or for a secured card upgrade, if the issuer offers it.
  6. Months 9–12Consider a second, no-annual-fee card from a mainstream issuer. Keep your oldest card open — length of history counts.

What not to do

  • Don’t pay late — payment history is the largest part of a FICO score (35%).
  • Don’t max out the card, even if you pay in full later; the statement balance is what gets reported.
  • Don’t apply for many cards in a few weeks — each application can mean a hard inquiry.
  • Don’t pay for “credit repair” or buy “tradelines”; and never share your SSN with someone promising a fast score.
  • Don’t close your first card after you upgrade; an old account helps the length of your history.

FAQ

How does a US credit score work?

FICO scores run from 300 to 850. FICO weights payment history 35%, amounts owed 30%, length of credit history 15%, credit mix 10% and new credit 10%. Paying every bill on time and keeping balances low matter most.

How do I check my credit report for free?

AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site for free reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion; according to the CFPB you can view them online for free once a week. Checking your own report does not hurt your score.

Is a secured card a bad card?

No. A secured card reports to the credit bureaus the same way as other cards. The deposit only protects the issuer. Many people graduate to an unsecured card and get the deposit back within a year.

Does my credit history from China transfer to the US?

No — US credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) do not import Chinese credit reports, so you start with no US file. A few issuers can look at credit reports from certain other countries through a cross-border service; check whether your country is on their list.

Is this financial advice?

No. This is general information about common starting paths, with product details copied from official pages on the date shown. Issuers decide approvals and change terms often — always read the issuer’s current terms before applying.

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Official references