18 Screenshots That Prove Credit Scores Are Actually Really, Really Unfair

*Breathes* *Score drops 60 points*

If you live in the US and are over 18 years old, chances are you have a credit score.

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Basically, credit is an agreement to borrow money and make purchases but pay back the entire amount within a certain timeframe. A credit score basically tracks and "scores" you based on how well you're able to do that, and helps lenders assess your level of risk as a borrower. In the US, a strong credit score is crucial for opening a new credit card, buying a home, etc.

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And TBH, they're kinda awful and (IMO) don't actually help anyone. Here's why:

1. Finally able to pay off your student loan and be in less debt? That's gonna hurt your score:

Decided to pay off my student loan before buying a house and my credit score dropped as a result from mildlyinfuriating

2. Ditto on paying your mortgage:

When paying down your mortgage hurts your credit score. from LateStageCapitalism

3. And sometimes, it'll drop for literally no reason at all!

So I lost 74 points cause nothing… from awfuleverything

4. Don't worry, making consistent payments can help raise your score...until you get a little TOO CLOSE to paying something off:

Credit score went down 25 points because I made my car payment on time (as I always do) and only have two payments left “good work!” from LateStageCapitalism

5. Sometimes using your credit card helps — sometimes it doesn't:

I can’t put a single dinner on my credit card without dropping my credit score 20 pts from ABoringDystopia

6. And don't worry, consistently paying rent doesn't count at all:

US credit score system. from ABoringDystopia

7. And make sure not to spend too much at once (even if you pay it off immediately):

Chase congratulating me on my credit score going up. It dropped 37 points a few months back because I put seven thousand dollars on a credit card that I paid back in full the next day (no late payments). Apparently, large charges to your card can also hurt your credit score. I hate it here. from ABoringDystopia

8. It can take YEARS to build up your score and mere seconds to bring it down again:

A year of on time payments on a car loan + this card? Up 1 point. Spend $8 at the store this morning with my credit card because (thanks to multiple overdraft fees on previously pending transactions) my bank account is $200+ overdrawn? Down 7 points in LESS THAN 4 HOURS. from ABoringDystopia

9. And the scoring is DEFINITELY a little (aka a lot) imbalanced:

The way changes in credit score are calculated. from mildlyinfuriating

10. If you don't open enough accounts, that'll hurt your score:

My "account mix" on credit score has gradually gone from a B to a C- over the last 3 years for not opening any new accounts. from mildlyinfuriating

11. But if you open new accounts and acquire more debt, that can ALSO hurt your score:

Account Mix went from C- to a B but my credit score went down with more debt. Literally an unwinnable situation. from mildlyinfuriating

12. You apparently need to keep the accounts open for decades for them to even help you:

Credit Scores are the actual worst. from mildlyinfuriating

13. Just make sure you never miss a payment, EVER:

The US credit system is a joke. I can pay all of my bills on time for years and it never adds to my score, but I miss ONE payment on time and it drops it, then takes weeks to years to get those points back. The credit system is outdated af and needs to be gone away with. from mildlyinfuriating

14. Because if you do, you can immediately drop yourself into the "very poor" category:

I wonder how long this will keep my credit score ruined. from mildlyinfuriating

15. And because credit scores aren't easily accessible, you sometimes needs to pay money just to see how you're doing:

Free credit score, it only costs $1! from mildlyinfuriating

16. Basically, credit scores determine "how far we'll get in life" despite being extremely inconsistent and volatile:

Your credit score helps determine how far in life you'll get from LateStageCapitalism

17. And in case you thought we all started off with the same score...NOPE, that'd be wayyyyy too simple:

It’s right here... before they even consider you competent enough to be extended credit, they’ve decided how credit-worthy you are. “We won’t all start with the same score” from LateStageCapitalism

18. In conclusion, credit scores can be super scary, and we really can't escape them ever:

Maybe don't incorporate Halloween branding in an email about my credit score... from LateStageCapitalism

Love it!!!

H/T: r/LateStageCapitalism, r/ABoringDystopia, r/mildlyinfuriating