Reviewing Credit Repair Laws in 2026

Closing old accounts shortens your credit history and can increase your credit utilization. Combined, this might lower your credit score.

apfsc.org

Closing your earliest account minimizes your typical account age, increases credit usage and can reduce your rating when reported to the credit bureaus. It accounts for 10% of your FICO Rating and is not factored into VantageScore at all.

Be careful of taking out new credit just for the sake of improving your credit. Focus on naturally mixing up your credit over time.

apfsc.org

The time it takes will depend on the individual factors impacting it and the actions you take to alter them. A credit line boost or becoming an authorized user can show results within a billing cycle.