If you have an existing credit card, the issuer is likely to look at your credit score to decide whether to increase your credit line -- or charge you a higher interest rate, according to a credit scoring study by the Consumer Federation of America and the National Credit Reporting Association. (Bankrate, Inc.)

Credit scoring uses, where available, information from a bank's own records and may include data received from credit reference agencies. (British Bankers' Association)

Credit scoring has been used by some creditors, particularly credit card issuers, for many years as a tool in making credit decisions. Mortgage lenders, however, have only recently begun using credit scoring to decide whether to make a loan and at what price. (Federal Trade Commission)