There are a number of things that can hurt your credit. Making late payments on your bills is one of the most reported ways to damage your credit score.

If you are consistently making late payments, it will reflect badly on your credit report and lower your score. Another way to damage your credit is by using too much of your available credit.

This is often referred to as "maxing out" your credit cards. When you max out your cards, it shows that you are heavily relying on credit, which looks bad to creditors. They may view you as a high-risk borrower and be less likely to approve you for future loans. Finally, having a lot of hard inquiries on your credit report can also hurt your score.

A hard inquiry occurs when you apply for new credit and the creditor pulls your report. These inquiries stay on your report for two years and can lead creditors to believe that you are in financial distress.

You have multiple credit scores because there are multiple credit reporting agencies, and each one calculates your score a little differently.

Additionally, your score can change depending on which type of lender is looking at it. For example, a mortgage lender will focus on different information than a credit card issuer. As a result, it's not uncommon to have a slightly different score when applying for different types of credit. While it may be confusing to keep track of multiple scores, it's actually a good thing.

Having multiple scores gives you a better idea of where you stand financially and can help you identify any potential red flags on your credit report.

There are a number of factors that can impact your credit score. Payment history is one of the most important, as it shows creditors how likely you are to repay a debt. Credit utilization, or the amount of credit you're using compared to your credit limit, is also a key factor.

Length of credit history and types of credit used are also considered when calculating your score.

One factor that is not directly factored into your score but can impact your ability to get credit is your employment history. Lenders like to see a steady employment history, as it indicates that you're more likely to be able to repay a loan. If you've recently switched jobs or have gaps in your employment history, this could make lenders hesitant to extend credit to you.

Finally, keep in mind that your credit score is constantly changing. It's important to monitor your score regularly and take steps to improve it if necessary. By understanding the factors that impact your score, you can take control of your financial future.

There are a number of things a credit specialist can do to help repair your credit. One is to work with you to identify any inaccuracies on your credit report and dispute them with the credit reporting bureau.

Another is to help you develop a plan to pay off any outstanding debt you may have. This may involve negotiating with your creditors to lower your interest rates or setting up a payment plan that is manageable for you. The goal is to get your debt paid off as quickly as possible so that you can start rebuilding your credit.

In addition, a credit specialist can also provide you with valuable advice on how to manage your finances going forward so that you can avoid future credit problems.