Frequently Asked Questions

General Credit-Related Questions

What is a credit score and why is it important?

Your credit score is a 3-digit number between 300 and 850 that shows your credit “worthiness.” Lenders use it to determine your eligibility for loans, credit cards, and other financial products. A higher score typically means better access to credit and lower interest rates. Credit bureaus generally consider anything above 650 a good credit score.

What is a credit report?

A credit report is a track record of both your personal and financial credit information. It includes information from public records, personal identification, and debt accounts. Your report will show your payment history, debt balances, items in default, collections, and who you owe money to.

What impacts a credit score?

There are five main contributors to your credit score—payment history, credit usage, credit age, credit mix, and recent credit. The most important of these factors is your payment history. Learn more about what affects a credit score HERE.

Can I have more than one credit score?

Yes, it’s common to have multiple credit scores. There are various credit scoring models, which means your creditworthiness can be assessed differently depending on the model used by lenders or institutions. Dovly helps improve your overall credit health, which can lead to better scores across all the different models.

How many credit bureaus are there?

There are three main credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

What’s the difference between a soft inquiry and a hard inquiry on my credit report?

A soft inquiry, such as a credit check for pre-approval offers, does not impact your credit score. A hard inquiry, often associated with credit applications, can have a temporary negative effect on your score (and will usually remain on your credit report for two years as an inquiry).

How much will my score go up if I pay off all my credit cards?

Paying off credit card debt can significantly improve your credit score, primarily by lowering your credit utilization ratio (the amount of credit used vs. available). Anything above a 30% utilization ratio is considered high and can hurt your score, even if you pay on time. For example, with a $15,000 balance across three cards and a $10,000 limit per card, your ratio is 50%. Paying off one card lowers it to 33%, two cards to 16%, and all three to 0%. Lower utilization is seen positively by lenders and can boost your score. To maximize your score, it’s best to keep your utilization below 30%, ideally closer to 10% or lower (the ideal scenario is to have all credit cards at zero with the exception of one credit card. The card which remains with a balance should have a utilization between 1% to 9%). Read more about it HERE

What’s considered a good credit score?

Vantage Score breaks down credit score ranges into these categories: Excellent – 781-850, Great – 721-780, Good – 661-720, Fair – 601-660, Poor – 300-600. ‍ When you know your credit score and what’s on your credit report, you have important information that can help you know what you need to work on to bring up your score. Read more about it HERE

What brings your credit score up the fastest?

It’s important to remember that the length of time it takes to reach a good credit score varies from person to person. Some individuals may see significant improvements within a few months, while others may take a year or more to achieve their desired score. Working on reducing your credit utilization is usually the fastest way to increase your score, as you have immediate control over the balances owing and your utilization ratio can impact up to 35% of your score, depending on the scoring model. Nevertheless, consistency and responsible financial management are also key to improving your credit, whether you’re trying to get your credit score from 500 to 700 or to increase your credit score from 670 to 700. Regularly monitoring your credit report, making regular monthly payments, reducing credit card balances, and avoiding excessive new debt will set you on the right path to reach a 700 credit score and maintain a healthy credit profile. Once you get there, you’re on your way to a 800 credit score.

How can a bad credit score cost you money?
  • A bad credit score can be expensive. It often results in higher interest rates on loans and credit cards, costing you thousands over time. You may also face higher insurance premiums and be required to pay security deposits for utilities or rentals. Poor credit can even lead to loan rejections or limited access to better financial products. In short, bad credit means more interest expense, fees, and missed opportunities.

Dovly

What is Dovly AI?

Dovly AI is the first all-in-one credit platform powered by artificial intelligence that helps you take control of your credit journey—100% free. From building new credit activity to staying protected, our tools support you every step of the way.

How does Dovly AI help me improve my credit score?

Dovly AI is an all-in-one platform that helps you take control of your credit. Our system reviews your credit report, identifies potential issues, and gives you a personalized plan with tools to support your credit goals. You’ll get step-by-step guidance, helpful product recommendations, and ongoing updates based on your credit activity. Plus, we offer 24/7 monitoring and protection to help keep your credit information secure from identity theft or reporting errors. Everything happens automatically – so you can stay focused on your goals while Dovly handles the heavy lifting.

Can Dovly AI help me regardless of what my credit score is?

Yes! Dovly AI supports people at every stage of their credit journey. Whether you’re aiming to maintain a strong score or take steps toward better credit health. Our AI-powered platform helps you understand what’s on your credit report, monitors for changes, and gives you a personalized plan with tools to help you manage and protect your credit over time. No matter where you’re starting from, Dovly AI makes it easier to move forward with confidence.

What makes Dovly AI different from other credit monitoring services?

Unlike basic credit monitoring tools, Dovly AI takes a more active approach. We don’t just track changes, we help you understand what’s happening with your credit and give you personalized tools to take action. Our platform brings together monitoring, dispute support, tradeline access, and credit protection, all in one place. It’s a smarter, more complete way to stay on top of your credit and work toward your financial goals.

Is Dovly AI really free?

Yes! Dovly AI Free is 100% free with no credit card required. With the Free plan, you’ll get access to a monthly TransUnion® credit report and score, manual dispute selection with TransUnion, and tools to help you track and manage your credit over time. If you’re looking for more advanced features, Dovly AI Premium offers additional benefits like weekly TransUnion reports and scores, AI-powered multi-bureau dispute support, enhanced monitoring, and access to a tradeline that may support your credit activity. Both plans are designed to help you stay informed and take action based on your credit goals.

How does Dovly AI’s credit engine work?

It’s simple! Once you sign up (in under 2 minutes, with no hard credit pull), Dovly’s AI reviews your credit report and identifies items that may be holding you back. From there, we provide clear next steps and tools that support your credit goals – like dispute assistance, account monitoring, and tradeline access. You’ll get regular updates, alerts when something changes, and everything you need to stay on top of your credit – all in one app. We handle the hard stuff so you can stay focused on your finances.

How do I get started with Dovly AI?

Getting started is easy. Just choose the plan that works for you and begin the sign-up process – it takes less than 2 minutes and won’t impact your credit score. To enroll, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. resident, and have a valid Social Security number. During signup, we’ll ask you a few personal questions to verify your identity. In some cases, you may need to upload a photo ID like a state-issued driver’s license.  

Can I trust Dovly AI?

Absolutely. We work with major financial institutions and partners. Our leadership team is made up of experienced, respected professionals – and our tech is secure. Your data is encrypted and stored on a segregated network for maximum protection.

Does Dovly AI have an app?

Yes! The Dovly AI app makes it easy to track your credit, get alerts when something changes, and access your tools on the go. Download it today to stay in control, wherever you are.

How many points do members typically see?

On average, Dovly AI Free members saw a 34-point credit score increase after 6 months, while Premium members saw an average increase of 82 points.* Results vary based on your credit profile and how actively you use Dovly AI. Members who log in regularly tend to experience stronger outcomes.

*Average increase experienced by a sample of 86,156 Dovly Free members that have been enrolled more than 6 months, as of November 2024. Average increase experienced by a sample of 30,746 Dovly Premium members that have been enrolled more than 6 months, as of November 2024.

Is Dovly AI available in all states?

Yes! We serve members in all 50 United States plus the District of Columbia. We also serve all 5 major U.S. Territories.

How long does it typically take to see changes in my credit score with Dovly AI?

Every credit journey is different, and timelines can vary based on your unique credit history. Many Dovly members have seen double-digit score changes within four months, but results depend on your specific situation and level of engagement. Credit takes time, and consistent progress often leads to stronger outcomes.

Can I cancel my Dovly AI subscription at any time?

Yes, but why would you want to? You can cancel your subscription at any time with a click of a button. No cancellation fees or penalties.

Does Dovly AI provide educational resources on credit and personal finance?

Yes, Dovly AI offers a variety of educational materials, including articles, guides, and insights on credit management and personal finance. We believe that well-informed consumers make smarter financial decisions, and we’re here to help you access valuable knowledge. Premium members can also use our AI chatbot for tailored information based on your credit profile, report, and financial goals.

Does Dovly AI offer credit monitoring services?

With a Premium subscription, Dovly AI delivers real-time updates on your credit report and includes identity protection. These updates help you stay aware of any changes to your credit information and identify potential concerns promptly.

Is Dovly available for businesses or only for individuals?

At this time, Dovly AI is focused on supporting individual consumers with their personal credit needs. We do not currently provide services for business credit monitoring or related assistance.

Is Dovly AI safe and secure?

Dovly AI is 100% committed to your data privacy and security. We always use bank-level encryption in all data transmissions. We use your data for identity verification with the credit bureaus, fraud prevention, and to comply with federal laws. We will never share or sell your data to third parties without consent. Check out our Privacy Policy for more details. But more than anything our members can attest to our value and service.

Who is eligible for Dovly Uplift?

Dovly Uplift is available at no cost to U.S.-issued Visa consumer credit, Visa consumer debit, and select Visa prepaid cardholders. Eligible prepaid cards include: General Purpose Reloadable, Government Disbursement Reloadable, Payroll Reloadable, and Commercial Business Reloadable. Eligible Visa Cardholders will also have access to market-leading discounts if they are interested in upgrading to a more robust Dovly membership plan that includes premium features such as a multi-bureau dispute service, Real-time TransUnion report and score, identity theft insurance, and more. While Dovly’s platform is designed to remove inaccuracies from your credit report, every case is different, and not everyone will achieve the same results. More about Dovly Uplift HERE