Credit Tip: Experian Boost

• What is Experian Boost?Experian Boost is an easy way for you to take control of your credit and build long-term credit health—just by paying your bills. When you connect your bank, credit card or service provider to Boost, we’ll look for bills with positive history that you can add to your Experian credit file. It could also instantly raise your FICO® Score!

• How does Boost work?Good question! Connect to the bank or credit card account you use to pay your bills and/or rent. We’ll look through 2 years of payment history for any qualifying bills that have at least 3 payments in the last 6 months (including 1 payment within the last 3 months). Once we find them, all you need to do is verify that the info is correct, and we’ll add them to your Experian credit file.

• Is Boost secure?Absolutely. We use bank-level SSL security encryption to make sure your data is safe when you connect your accounts and add your bills. It’s our top priority.

• Which bill types qualify?These are the bills that currently qualify for Boost:

  • Mobile and landline phone

  • Internet

  • Cable and satellite

  • Gas and electricity

  • Residential rent with online payments

  • Video streaming services

  • Water

  • Power and solar

  • Trash

Which types of rent payments qualify?

Only online residential rent payments made to select property management companies or rent payment platforms are eligible for Boost. Rent payments made with cash, money order, personal check or on a mobile payment transfer app (like PayPal, Venmo or Zelle®) aren't eligible.

• If I have a mortgage, is my rent payment eligible for Boost?Your rent isn't eligible for Boost if you have an active mortgage tradeline on your Experian credit file.

Can I use my video streaming service bills?

You sure can! Video streaming services like Netflix®, Disney+™, HBO™ and Hulu™ are all eligible for Boost. Just make sure the accounts are in your name and the bills have 3 payments in the last 6 months (including 1 payment within the last 3 months).

• What if I'm having trouble connecting to my bank, credit card or service provider?If you're having trouble connecting your bank to Experian Boost, your bank login credentials might be incorrect. We recommend logging in to your bank's website to make sure your login info is up to date. Then, go to your bank settings to confirm your contact info matches your Experian membership profile. If you're seeing a message that Boost can't connect to your bank, Boost might not support your bank yet, or it might be a technical error. We recommend trying again and following the prompts on the screen if it still says you can't connect to your bank.

• What if my bank, credit card or service provider isn't listed?If your bank or credit card isn’t listed, or you search for it and it doesn’t appear in the results, select the "Can't find your bank?" link and follow the instructions.

Can Boost help me if I have no credit history or no FICO® Score?

If you're just starting out on your credit journey, that’s OK. Boost can still help you if you meet the minimum FICO® requirements.

• You have at least 1 account on your credit report that has been active for at least 6 months.

• You have at least 1 account on your credit report that has been reported to a credit bureau within the last 6 months.

• You are not listed as “deceased” on your credit report. (And if that's the case, the credit bureau providing your report might have you mixed up with another person.)