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Does an overdraft affect your credit score?

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Protect your financial future with this essential information

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Does an overdraft affect your credit score? Source: Adobe Stock

When it comes to finances, monitoring your spending is essential for avoiding overdrafts. But does an overdraft affect your credit score?

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A temporary solution to budgeting issues, overdrafting an account might have serious long-term consequences.

What is an overdraft?

When you take money out of an account even though there aren’t enough funds, this is an “overdraft.

You would enter your overdraft if, for instance, you had zero dollars in your account and spent one hundred dollars.

With an overdraft, you can access your money and pay your expenses from the account, even if there is a low balance or none.

It’s a way to get cash from financial institutions without using a loan or credit card.

Overdrafts can be either prearranged or unarranged. Your bank sets a predetermined limit on your overdraft with you for a scheduled overdraft.

How does an overdraft affect your credit score?

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How does an overdraft affect your credit score? Find out! Source: Adobe Stock

Now that you know that an overdraft is a way of borrowing money, you are probably wondering if an overdraft can affect your credit score.

An overdraft facility is usually available to everyone with a checking account. Applying for an unarranged overdraft can lower your credit score.

Overdraft checking account applications trigger strict credit checks from financial institutions.

When a bank reviews your credit report, they do a “hard credit check,” which can negatively impact your score.

Prearranged overdrafts, however, do not hurt your credit score.

What are the fees associated with overdrafts?

Overdrafts can be a good way to cover bills larger than the money you have in your bank account, but they come with fees.

Overdraft fees can range widely from financial institutions to a financial institutions. In most cases, the bank assesses an overdraft cost for each transaction.

This occurs in addition to a daily maintenance fee if you continue overdriving on your account.

It is not uncommon to see these fees hovering around $35 for each episode.

Because of the high cost, the fee linked with overdrafts is not something that you should take lightly. Make sure to put every effort into avoiding this fee!

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How long an overdraft stays on your credit report?

Most people know that their credit report has a significant bearing on their overall financial situation.

Your credit report will reflect an overdraft as a debt if you allow it to occur. It will reflect a zero balance if you do not use your overdraft facility.

It is possible that it won’t show up on your credit report if you do it occasionally. Also, if the amount is paid off at the end of each month when you are paid.

This is because most financial institutions only submit information to credit reference organizations once each month.

It’s unclear how long an overdraft stays on your credit report. However, try to make it not appear in your report at all.

How to avoid going into overdraft

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Learn how to avoid going into overdraft. Source: Adobe Stock

Avoiding going into overdraft by employing a few straightforward tactics is a fantastic approach to avoid the hassle.

The most important step is to set up a budget and stick to it. This will help you determine exactly where your money should go each month.

Also, sign up for banking alerts. This way, you’ll be notified when the amount in your account drops dangerously low and can take appropriate action.

Record all payments and be aware of upcoming bills to distribute your resources most effectively.

By adhering to these procedures, you can avoid going into overdraft and safeguard your financial health.

What to do if you have already overdrafted

If you have already exceeded the limit on your checking account, the best thing to do is take stock of the situation.

Checking your account balances and reviewing your bank statement should be the first thing you do.

You may be able to negotiate a solution with the relevant institution. Perhaps you can even avoid any potential fees associated with the situation.

Secondly, examine a budget to determine where your money goes monthly and determine where you may cut back.

Lastly, make sure to keep track of OK Save Money content. We are here to help you, so read the following article and learn more about finances!

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About the author  /  Giovanna Klein

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