Achieving a 100 point credit score increase can unlock better loan options, lower interest rates, and more financial freedom. But while you may be taking the right steps to boost your score, a few hidden mistakes can quietly sabotage your progress — and even cause your score to drop.
If you’re serious about improving your credit, it’s just as important to avoid the wrong moves as it is to make the right ones.
Here are five critical mistakes you must steer clear of on your journey to a 100-point credit score jump.
Mistake 1: Missing or Late Payments
Approximately 35% of your credit score is based on your payment history. That means one late or missed payment can cause a significant drop — sometimes as much as 50 to 100 points!
It doesn’t matter if it’s just one day late; lenders report missed payments, and your score will take the hit.
Even if you’re actively paying down debts or disputing errors, a missed payment can wipe out all your hard work.
Tip:
Establish automatic payments for all of your accounts, at least the minimum amount owed. Also, use calendar reminders a few days before due dates to stay on track.
Mistake 2: High Credit Card Balances
Thirty percent of your score is determined by your credit usage, or how much credit you are using in relation to your limitations. Even if you make your payments on time, carrying large balances might lower your credit score.
If your credit utilization is above 30%, it signals to lenders that you might be financially stretched. Even worse, maxed-out cards have the potential to drastically lower your score.
Tip:
Aim to use less than 30% of your available credit at all times, and for the best results, keep it under 10%.
If you can, make extra payments throughout the month to lower your reported balance before your statement closes.
Mistake 3: Closing Old Credit Accounts
It might seem logical to close old credit cards you’re not using, but doing so can hurt your score in two major ways:
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Your average account age, which accounts for 15% of your score, is shortened.
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It reduces your total available credit, which can spike your credit utilization ratio.
Closing old accounts removes valuable positive history from your credit profile, even if the account was paid off and inactive.
Tip:
Keep old accounts open whenever possible, especially if they have no annual fee. To keep them active, use them sometimes for little purchases.
Mistake 4: Applying for Too Much New Credit
Your credit record is subject to a hard inquiry each time you apply for a new loan or credit card.
One inquiry might lower your score by just a few points, but multiple inquiries within a short time can make you look risky to lenders and delay your score improvement.
Tip:
Applying for new credit should only be done when absolutely necessary.
If you’re shopping for a mortgage or auto loan, try to submit all applications within a 14- to 45-day window so they count as one inquiry (depending on the scoring model).
Mistake 5: Ignoring Errors on Your Credit Report
Even if you’re doing everything right, credit report errors can drag your score down without you knowing it.
Common mistakes include:
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Wrong account balances
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Duplicate accounts
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Incorrect late payments
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Accounts that don’t belong to you
Failing to check your reports regularly means you could miss easy chances to fix your score.
Tip:
Request your free credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion at AnnualCreditReport.com at least once a year.
If you spot an error, dispute it immediately — you could see a score bump once the mistake is corrected.
Conclusion
When it comes to raising your credit score by 100 points, what you avoid is just as important as what you do.
By steering clear of missed payments, high balances, unnecessary new credit, account closures, and ignoring your reports, you set yourself up for faster, lasting success.
