Debunking credit myths: Expert reveals what really impacts your credit score

May 3, 2026

Confusion around credit scores is growing in the UK, with searches for “what increases your credit score” increasing by 259% in the past 12 months.

This growing interest highlights a widening knowledge gap, with many people unsure what actually affects their credit score and what is simply a myth.

In response, finance experts at MoneySuperMarket warn that common credit myths are preventing people from improving their scores, and in some cases, could be holding them back from accessing more affordable borrowing options.

Having a good credit score allows for higher credit limits, better borrowing opportunities and more competitive interest rates. But despite this, many people remain unclear about what really makes a difference when it comes to their score.

Kara Gammell, Personal Finance Expert at MoneySuperMarket, explains what really affects your credit score and shares practical steps to help consumers take control of their financial footprint.

Common myths include:

Checking your credit score lowers it

“Checking your own credit score won’t lower it. Viewing your score through a credit reference agency or a comparison site, such as MoneySuperMarket’s Credit Score, does not affect your credit history and is not something lenders see or use when assessing applications.

“When you’re browsing or checking eligibility, this is usually done using a soft check. Soft checks allow people to see which products they may be eligible for without affecting their credit score, and they aren’t used by lenders when making lending decisions.

“What can affect your score is applying for credit. When you formally apply for a product like a loan, credit card or mortgage, a lender may carry out a hard check. These checks form part of a lender’s assessment, and while a single application is unlikely to have a significant impact, making several applications in a short space of time can make you appear higher risk to lenders.

“Tools like MoneySuperMarket’s Soft Check eligibility tool allow people to explore their options and see their likelihood of acceptance before applying, helping them avoid unnecessary applications and protect their credit score.”

Income affects credit score

“While income plays a role in affordability checks, it has no direct impact on your credit score.

“Credit scores are based on how you manage borrowing, such as your repayment history, credit usage and length of credit history. What you do with credit matters more than how much you earn.”

Changing address damages your credit score

“Moving house does not directly influence your credit score, but failing to update your details may cause some problems. Lenders will use your address to verify identity, so it’s vital to keep everything accurate.

“Registering on the electoral roll for your new address is also particularly important. While you may see a slight dip while records update, this is only temporary and will balance out once everything is up to date.”

Kara shares six ways to improve your credit score

“Improving your credit score is more about consistent habits than quick fixes. Simple changes, done regularly, can make a real difference such as:

Pay on time, every time – Late or missing payments make you look unreliable, and lenders perceive you as a higher risk. Setting up direct debits is the best way to make sure you never miss a due date.
Build your credit history – Those new to credit, such as young people or those new to the UK, may benefit from using a credit builder card to help build up their credit history. Used responsibly, these can help establish a positive credit history. Zero percent interest rate cards can also help consolidate your debt, if managed carefully. You can check eligibility using the MoneySuperMarket checker.
Be conscious of timings – In the three to six months before a mortgage or remortgage, it’s worth avoiding things like Buy Now Pay Later, new credit cards or switching phones or cars on finance. Even small bits of borrowing can affect how lenders assess you.
Keep older, fee‑free accounts open – A longer credit history can work in your favour, so closing long-held accounts might reduce the strength of your credit profile.
Don’t use all available credit – Having a low credit utilisation rate is attractive to lenders, as it shows you are borrowing responsibly.
Stay consistent with regular payments – Commitments like monthly phone bills and car insurance are forms of credit agreements, so paying these on time every month can boost your score.”