This is where I play devil's advocate. Credit scoring should never affect your ability to get insurance, utilities hooked up or a job, unless that job requires you to be in charge of money or other assets. The credit scoring system in this country is a JOKE with absolutely no oversight. Three different companies, with no accountability.
I have had my share of run-ins with the jackasses when getting my mortgages, trying to clear up errors. They flatly refused, in some cases. Our score wasn't bad, but it was the damned principle - when you see incorrect info on your credit report, you want it fixed. So yeah, those experiences made me most angry for people who have crappy credit scores for reasons like job loss, divorce, etc. Once the big three slam your score to the basement, it is very hard to get by - I picture a newly single mom who left a jerk of a husband and suddenly can't get the power hooked up in her new apartment because the power company pulled her credit and wants a huge deposit.... or the family of 6 whose sole bread earner finally finds the perfect job after being laid off for a few months, only to be turned down because their credit score hit the crapper while he or she was out of work.
OK, rant over, and I know I sound like the DUmp monkeys, but the credit thing pisses me off. Pretty much anything that keeps people from being productive, working taxpayers and off the dole pisses me off.
Yep..raises hand...the ex decided when *HE* left to stop paying the mortgage in the first month. I was a stay at home mother for 12 years and had NO income and knew I wasn't likely to even get close to what I made before that(and I still don't after working over 3 years now). He never really gave a second thought to his credit and it was my credit and his income that really allowed us our very first house before this one. Now I have neither and he at least has his income. It does not take into consideration extenuating circumstances. Thank goodness my work did when I got hired.
Yes, he behaves differently now, but that foible during that year has left a mark I may never be able to drag myself from independently:-( I've just resigned myself that I'll never buy a home again after that. Sucks!