How Credit Score Works and How to Increase Your Score
The credit score (or credit score) is a number that generally ranges from 0 to 1000 and represents the probability of a person paying their bills on time in the coming months. Banks, finance companies, card operators and even telecommunications companies use this number to approve (or deny) credit, define limits and establish the interest rates charged.
Use our Credit Score Simulator to estimate your current score and receive personalized guidance.
What is the Credit Score?
The score is calculated by credit bureaus such as Serasa, Boa Vista (SPC) and Quod, based on the financial history of your CPF. It's not a fixed number — it changes as your financial behaviors change over time.
The most common rating scale is:
| Score Range | Classification |
|---|---|
| 0 to 300 | Very Low (high risk of default) |
| 301 to 500 | Bass |
| 501 to 700 | Medium |
| 701 to 900 | Good |
| 901 to 1000 | Excellent (low risk) |
What Positively Affects the Score?
- Pay bills on time: This is the most important factor. Each bill, card bill, financing installment or utility bill paid on time contributes directly to raising your score.
- Clear your name (exit negative status): If you had outstanding debts and paid them off, your score gradually rises after you leave the defaulter register.
- Have an active and busy bank account: Especially current accounts with regular transactions.
- Positive Registration: Consenting to the sharing of your payment history (through the bureaus' Positive Registration) shows that you pay your bills on time, not just that you no longer owe.
- Relationship time: The longer you have a CPF with a positive financial history and no debts, the higher your score tends to be.
What Drops the Score?
- Delays and defaults: Failing to pay bills, installments or invoices is the main factor in a drop in your score.
- Negative name (SPC/Serasa): Having the CPF registered in defaulter records drastically reduces the score.
- Many queries in the short term: Applying for credit in many places at the same time (special checks, cards, financing) generates several queries to your CPF that can signal risk and temporarily lower your score.
- Outdated data: Outdated address and telephone number in the bureau records may affect the score.
How to Increase Score Fast?
There is no magic shortcut — the score reflects a history, and histories are built over time. But you can speed up the process:
- Pay all your outstanding debts: With each debt paid off, your score starts to rise.
- Activate Positive Registration at Serasa and Boa Vista: Free and can generate a quick increase by showing that you pay your bills.
- Always pay your bills before they are due: Create alerts on your cell phone or set up automatic debit.
- Use credit consciously: Prefer to use a fraction of the card's available limit (below 30%) instead of using it all monthly.
- Keep your data up to date: Update your address and contact details in the bureau records for free.
Simulate Your Score Now
Want to understand how your financial decisions affect your score? Access our Credit Score Simulator and receive a personalized estimate with the main improvement strategies for your profile!