65% of Americans Mistakenly Think Carrying A Credit Card Balance Helps Their Score

New LendingTree Report Finds More than Half Haven't Checked Their Score in a Month

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans are making credit card mistakes that are costing them money and impacting their credit scores, according to the latest LendingTree survey. One big reveal was that almost two-thirds of consumers believe carrying a credit card balance helps improve their credit score.

In addition, the survey revealed that more than half of Americans aren't checking their credit scores or maximizing their credit card rewards, and more than one-third don't know what their card interest rates are.

Key findings

• Nearly two-thirds (65%) of Americans believe this costly credit card myth: that carrying a small balance on their credit card each month will improve their credit score. The number is even higher (79%) among Gen Z.
• More than half of consumers (55%) haven't checked their credit score in over a month. In addition, 1 in 4 credit cardholders also don't review their card statements every month.
• More than a third (35%) of cardholders don't know their credit card's interest rate. While that's not an issue for those who pay their bill in full each month, it's worth looking into for the 49% of cardholders who generally carry a balance.
• Women struggle more to pay their credit card bills in full and on time. Men are 27% more likely to pay their credit card balance in full each month (57% versus 45% of women), while women are more likely to have made a late payment (54% versus 44% of men).
• Credit cards can provide many benefits — but many aren't taking advantage of them. Specifically, more than half (55%) of card-carrying consumers are missing out on credit card rewards by paying with cards that don't provide points or cash back, despite the majority (85%) of cardholders having at least one rewards card.

"The myth hurts cardholders because it costs them money. If they're only carrying a small balance, it may not cost them a huge amount of money, but over time, it adds up," says Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. "It's especially concerning for the youngest generation who could end up carrying a balance for several decades."

To view the full report, visit: https://www.lendingtree.com/credit-cards/study/credit-card-mistakes-survey/.

Methodology
LendingTree commissioned Qualtrics to conduct an online survey of 1,323 U.S. consumers from Feb. 15-21, 2022. The survey was administered using a nonprobability-based sample, and quotas were used to ensure the sample base represented the overall population. All responses were reviewed by researchers for quality control.

About LendingTree
LendingTree is the nation's leading online marketplace that connects consumers with the choices they need to be confident in their financial decisions. LendingTree empowers consumers to shop for financial services the same way they would shop for airline tickets or hotel stays, comparing multiple offers from a nationwide network of over 500 partners in one simple search, and can choose the option that best fits their financial needs. Services include mortgage loans, mortgage refinances, auto loans, personal loans, business loans, student loans, insurance, credit cards and more. Through the LendingTree platform, consumers receive free credit scores, credit monitoring and recommendations to improve credit health. LendingTree proactively compares consumers' credit accounts against offers on our network and notifies consumers when there is an opportunity to save money. In short, LendingTree's purpose is to help simplify financial decisions for life's meaningful moments through choice, education and support. LendingTree, LLC is a subsidiary of LendingTree, Inc. For more information, go to www.lendingtree.com, like our Facebook page and/or follow us on Twitter @LendingTree

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SOURCE LendingTree.com