What Is a 679 Equifax Credit Score?

A 679 on the Equifax credit score scale sits in the Fair (sometimes called Average) band, right at the top of that range and just below the Good tier. 
Equifax's scale runs from 280 to 850, and scores from about 620‑679 are classified as Fair, meaning you're above the poorest segment but still face higher rates and stricter underwriting than borrowers in the Good or Very Good categories.

• Typically placed in the 35‑40th percentile of all Equifax scorers.
• Considered acceptable for many credit‑card applications, though some issuers may offer only basic cards with higher APRs.
• Lenders often request additional proof of income or lower‑risk collateral before approving larger loans.
• Landlords view a 679 as borderline; you may need a co‑signer or higher security deposit.
• This ranking provides the baseline for the next section on Equifax credit score ranges and the approval odds you can expect with a 679.

With an Equifax credit score of 679 you're typically classified as 'fair,' so lenders see you as a borderline‑acceptable borrower. Approval chances differ by loan type - credit cards are the most forgiving, mortgages the toughest.

• Credit‑card applications: roughly 55 % - 70 % approval, especially with a modest limit request.
• Auto‑loan financing: about 60 % - 80 % approval when you have a stable income and a reasonable down payment.
• Personal‑loan offers: generally 35 % - 55 % approval; higher rates often compensate for the risk.
• Mortgage underwriting: only 20 % - 40 % approval without a larger down payment or a co‑signer, as discussed in the next section on loan and mortgage rates.

A 679 Equifax credit score lands you in the 'fair' bracket, so lenders typically charge interest rates about half to one and a half percent above the prime rate and may add higher origination fees.

Nevertheless, you can still qualify for mortgages; FHA, VA, and many non‑prime programs accept a 679, often requiring a larger down payment, a co‑signer, or a slightly higher rate that remains lower than outright subprime offers. Equifax explains how fair‑range scores affect loan pricing

Landlords see a 679 Equifax credit score as fair to average; they'll usually approve the lease but often ask for a larger security deposit or a co‑signer to offset perceived risk (see 'approval odds you can expect with a 679'). Rental applications with a 679 may also trigger stricter background checks, so offering proof of steady income can tip the balance.

Lenders treat the same 679 as borderline for conventional financing. They typically approve smaller personal loans or auto loans, but they impose higher interest rates and may require additional documentation such as a low debt‑to‑income ratio. For mortgages, the score lands in the fair tier, meaning borrowers often face a price‑increase of 0.5‑1 % compared with a 'good' score; see the consumer finance guidelines on credit scores for detailed lender thresholds. This perspective sets the stage for the next section on 'quick wins to raise your 679 in 30 - 90 days.'

Identify and dispute any Equifax errors that are pulling your 679 down.

1. Request your free Equifax credit report at Equifax's official site. The report shows the data behind your Equifax credit score of 679.
2. Scan the report for common mistakes: misspelled names, wrong addresses, accounts you don't recognize, incorrect balances, or closed accounts listed as open.
3. Collect proof for each error - bank statements, credit card statements, or letters from lenders that confirm the correct information.
4. Submit a dispute through the Equifax online dispute portal, attaching your documentation and clearly stating the item, the error, and the correction you request.
5. Monitor the 30‑day investigation window; Equifax must notify you of the outcome. If the error stays, ask for a reinvestigation or file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Proceed to the next section to see which accounts are currently hurting your 679.

Late‑payment credit cards, high‑utilization revolving balances, recent collections, and any derogatory installment loan are the accounts most likely dragging your Equifax credit score down to 679 right now.

• Credit‑card balances above 30 % of the limit, especially with a missed payment in the last 12 months.
• Installment loans (auto, personal, student) that have a payment 30 + days late or a high payment‑to‑income ratio.
• Charged‑off or collection accounts, even if they are older than two years.
• Mortgage or car loan with a recent (within 12 months) late payment.
• Retail store cards that are maxed out and show little recent activity.
• Any account flagged as a repossession, tax lien, or other public record on your Equifax report.

Spotting these items on your report lets you apply the dispute tactics from the 'find and dispute Equifax errors' section and focus on paying down high‑utilization balances, which will move your 679 upward faster.

Hard inquiries usually knock a few points off a 679 Equifax credit score, often five or less, and they stay on the report for two years but affect the score for only the first twelve months.

Opening a new credit line also nudges the 679 lower because it drags down the average age of accounts and can alter the credit‑mix factor that Equifax weighs. Multiple new accounts in a short span typically cause a sharper dip than a single, well‑managed line.

Because hard pulls can't be removed, the safest move is to pause fresh applications until the 679 stabilizes; the next section shows quick wins you can use within 30 - 90 days to regain momentum. Equifax explains hard inquiry impact

Boost your 679 within 30‑90 days by targeting high‑interest revolving debt, clearing reporting mistakes, and trimming credit utilization.

• Pay down credit‑card balances to below 30 % of each limit; the impact shows on most scores in 30 days (Equifax credit score guide).
• Request a free Equifax report, locate inaccurate late‑payment or charge‑off entries, and dispute them using the online portal; successful disputes can lift a 679 by 20‑40 points within weeks.
• Set up automatic minimum payments on all revolving accounts; consistent on‑time history prevents new negatives and may add 5‑10 points.
• Convert one revolving balance to a personal installment loan; the mix of credit types often improves a 679 by 5‑15 points after the first full month of reporting.
• Eliminate any 'pay‑day' or high‑APR credit lines by paying them off or closing them after the balance reaches zero; the removal reduces overall utilization and can yield another 5‑10 points.

A solid, sustainable plan that keeps your Equifax credit score climbing can lift a 679 into the 750‑plus range.

1. Pay every bill on time, every month - payment history accounts for about 35 % of the Equifax credit score, so automatic payments or calendar alerts create a flawless record that compounds over years.
2. Keep utilization under 10 % - the ratio of balances to limits drives roughly 30 % of the score; gradually paying down existing balances and requesting higher limits on older cards lowers the figure without increasing debt.
3. Preserve the age of your oldest accounts - length of credit history contributes ~15 % of the score; avoid closing long‑standing cards even if you rarely use them, because the average age will otherwise drop.
4. Maintain a healthy credit mix - a blend of revolving, installment and, if possible, a small credit‑builder loan shows you can handle different obligations; this factor typically adds a few points once the mix is diversified for a year or two.
5. Restrict new inquiries - each hard pull can shave a few points, especially when your score hovers in the fair range; plan new credit applications strategically and let existing inquiries age out (12 months) before requesting more.
6. Monitor and dispute errors regularly - even after the 'find and dispute errors' step earlier, periodic checks catch fresh inaccuracies that could stall progress; a clean report lets the long‑term moves work uninterrupted.

These habits, applied consistently over 12 - 24 months, generally push a 679 past the 750 milestone, setting the stage for the authorized‑user options discussed next.

Spotting a fake TransUnion tradeline starts with matching every entry to your actual accounts.

Look for red flags such as:

• a creditor you've never dealt with,
• an opening date within the last 30‑45 days that shows no payment activity,
• a balance that equals or exceeds the credit limit,
• duplicate entries with the same account number,
• misspelled name or altered Social Security number,
• an authorized user (AU) tradeline that shows no activity from the primary holder,
• any tradeline you never authorized.

When you see one of these signals, open a dispute on the TransUnion fraud dispute portal and consider a security freeze while you verify the tradeline's legitimacy.

Typically, a 679 Equifax credit score climbs into the 'good' bracket (around 700) within three to six months if you keep payments on time, lower credit utilization below 30 % and let any negative items age. Quick wins like paying down a revolving balance from 30 % to 10 % can add 20 - 30 points in 90 days, as discussed in the 'quick wins' section.

Reaching the 'excellent' tier (750 +) generally requires 12 - 18 months of sustained habits: consistently low utilization (under 10 %), no new hard inquiries, a longer mix of credit types, and the removal of any lingering errors. Those long‑term moves are covered in the next section, 'long‑term moves to push your 679 past 750.'