Anyloan Australia :: Articles

5 Credit Killers

What are the top factors that can damage your credit score?

5 Credit Killers

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

A good credit score speaks volumes about your financial habits. It's the evidence most creditors need to evaluate your credit worthiness.
Interestingly, there are some credit killers that even people maintaining good credit scores would unwittingly be a part of, which will be their undoing when applying for credit facilities in the future.
These mistakes may seem to be insignificant, but when the time comes, you may face more problems than you expect.

Avoiding Debt

Creditors need to evaluate your financial history to approve any credit facilities.
If you have no previous or existing debts, it might adversely affect your case, as creditors have no way of checking out how you'll handle the credit you get from them.

Shopping For Rates

Looking around for the best rate may actually turn out to be bad.
Debt Stressed?
Image for Debt Stressed?If you're struggling to pay your debts and covering living expenses, we're here to help. Through our national panel of Debt Management specialists, we can help customers with $10k or more in debt by consolidating your existing loans, stopping Debt collectors from contacting you and re-negotiating repayments on your terms!
Too many inquiries within a short period could damage your credit score.
Usually, if you do more than 3 or 4 inquiries within a single month, you are likely to scare the lenders. For the same reasons, transferring the balances on your credit cards could be a bad idea as well.

Assuming There's a Grace Period

If you are late on a payment by even one day, you are late, period.
Never assume there's a grace period for late payments, because it only affects your credit score negatively.

Closing Old Accounts

Because your relevant transaction history also gets erased when you close your old accounts, your credit history is shortened and it may lower your credit score.
If you want to close your old accounts, close everything except the oldest account, which will leave a longer history.

Co-signing Loans

The obvious problem here is that the primary borrower's mistakes will end up on your credit report as well.

Published: Sunday, 1st Aug 2021
Author: Paige Estritori

Rate this article

0 Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.


Finance Articles

The Power of a Good Credit Score: Tips to Maintain and Protect Yours
The Power of a Good Credit Score: Tips to Maintain and Protect Yours
Credit scores play a crucial role in the financial journey of any individual, especially in Australia where they serve as a snapshot of your financial reliability. This numerical expression based on a level analysis of a person's credit files has a far-reaching impact on various aspects of financial borrowings. - read more
Tips to Improve Your Loan Eligibility in Australia
Tips to Improve Your Loan Eligibility in Australia
For many self-employed Australians, securing a loan can feel like a daunting task. Unlike salaried employees, self-employed individuals often face unique challenges when it comes to proving their income stability and financial health. - read more
Australian Loan Application Checklist: What You Need to Know
Australian Loan Application Checklist: What You Need to Know
When applying for a loan in Australia, it's essential to have a clear understanding of the loan application process. Whether you are applying for a home loan, personal loan, or business loan, knowing the necessary steps and having all the required documents ready can save you time and frustration. - read more
Investing in Your Future: Building a Solid Financial Plan
Investing in Your Future: Building a Solid Financial Plan
Investing in your future is not just a prudent choice; it’s a necessity, particularly in the context of Australia's dynamic financial landscape. Making significant purchases like a home or car, or even affording a dream holiday, requires a strategic approach to saving. Understanding the value of foresight and preparation is the first step toward making your financial dreams a reality. - read more
The Impact of Credit Scores on Loan Applications: How to Borrow Smartly
The Impact of Credit Scores on Loan Applications: How to Borrow Smartly
Credit scores play a crucial role in loan applications, determining eligibility and interest rates for borrowers. Understanding how credit scores are calculated and the impact they have on loan applications is essential for anyone who wants to borrow smartly. - read more

Finance News

What APRA’s 3% Buffer Means for Borrowing Power
What APRA’s 3% Buffer Means for Borrowing Power
23 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
APRA’s decision to keep the mortgage serviceability buffer at 3 percentage points is a timely reminder that loan approval is still being judged on resilience, not just today’s advertised interest rate. The buffer requires regulated lenders to test whether borrowers could still manage repayments if rates were materially higher than the loan rate being offered. - read more
Why the RBA’s Latest Signals Matter for Your Next Loan
Why the RBA’s Latest Signals Matter for Your Next Loan
22 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s latest policy commentary has reinforced a message that borrowers cannot afford to ignore: interest rate relief is not something to build a budget around too early. While inflation has eased from its peak, the central bank remains alert to price pressures, wage growth, productivity challenges and the possibility that demand may prove more resilient than expected. - read more
Why Personal Loan Borrowers Need to Look Past the Advertised Rate
Why Personal Loan Borrowers Need to Look Past the Advertised Rate
21 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
Australian borrowers comparing personal loans in July are facing a market where the headline rate can tell only part of the story. Canstar’s latest personal loan update, published on 21 July 2026, shows some competitive rates remain available, but the gap between the cheapest and most expensive unsecured offers is still substantial. - read more
Small Businesses Are Still Paying More for Finance
Small Businesses Are Still Paying More for Finance
14 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
The latest Reserve Bank of Australia lending rate data gives small business owners a timely reminder: the cost of finance is still highly dependent on borrower profile, loan size, security and lender appetite. For May 2026, the average rate on new small business loans sat at 7.26% per annum, compared with 6.12% for medium businesses and 5.49% for large businesses. - read more
Business Borrowing Stays Strong as May Credit Data Lands
Business Borrowing Stays Strong as May Credit Data Lands
07 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
The latest Reserve Bank of Australia financial aggregates show that borrowing demand has remained resilient, with business credit again leading the way. Released on 30 June 2026, the May figures show total credit rising by 0.7% over the month and 8.2% over the year. Within that, lending to non-financial businesses rose 1.0% in May and 9.9% across the year, outpacing both housing and personal credit. - read more

Need Help Finding a Loan?
Find out now if you qualify and compare rates, offers and options from multiple lenders - without a credit check!
Loan Amount:
Postcode:

All quotes are provided obligation-free by a participating broker from our national referral partner network. We respect your Privacy.

All finance quotes are provided free (via our secure server) and without obligation.
We respect your privacy.

Knowledgebase
Derivative:
A financial security whose value is dependent upon or derived from an underlying asset or group of assets.


Quick Links: | Personal And Business Loans Australia | Business Loan Options | Personal Loans Australia | Leasing Finance Solutions | Finance Brokers Australia | Unsecured Business Loans | Vehicle And Equipment Finance | Compare Finance Quotes | Quick Loan Approval | Low Interest Loans | Flexible Loan Terms