The credit scores They provide lenders a look at your financial history by looking at five main factors, but far more than five things go into that all-important triple-digit number.

You probably already know that it's important to pay your bills on time, maintain a low debt-to-available credit ratio (also known as utilization rate), and maintain a long history of accounts in good standing. You may also be aware that it helps to limit new credit applications and have a diverse mix of credit products.

However, there are some less obvious situations that can also affect your credit, such as overdue library books and unpaid parking tickets.

Below, we review these two surprising examples along with 10 other little-known things that can affect your credit scores

1. Credit limit increase requests
When you request a credit limit increase, your card issuer can do some heavy credit work. This may temporarily affect your credit scores in a few points. However, there are times when credit limit requests do not cause any damage to your credit score, such as when the issuer performs a soft tug on your credit or initiates an automatic increase.

 2. Business credit cards
If you are a small business owner or employee, actions you take with your business credit card may affect your credit scores staff. Business owners who are the primary account holders have the greatest liability, and therefore the greatest risk, to their personal credit.

Read More: What is the best time to pay your credit card, we tell you

3. Unpaid medical bills
Payment history is the most important factor in your credit score, and it extends beyond your credit card and loan bills. Any unpaid medical bills can be sent to debt collection agencies after a certain period of time.

4. Telephone Payment Plan
Installment loans, like pay-by-phone plans, may show up on your credit report and may affect your credit scores . So if you want the latest iPhone and opt for an affordable two-year payment plan, make sure you keep up with the monthly payments.

5. Rent and utility withholding
If you withhold rent and utilities or break a lease without paying the break-of-lease fee, your non-payment may be reported to the credit bureaus and negatively affect your credit. Landlords and utility companies generally do not report your payment history to credit bureaus, but they are likely to report unpaid bills.

You should always pay the bill credit card before the expiration date, but there are some situations in which it is better to pay before.

For example, if you make a large purchase or find yourself with a balance from the previous month, you may want to consider paying off your bill early. It seems like a small change, but it can have a significant effect on your overall finances and help protect your credit score.

When to pay off the balance early
While you are required to make at least the minimum payment on your statement balance by the due date to keep your account in good standing, you should always aim to pay your account in full each month.

However, that's not always possible, especially now due to coronavirus-related layoffs and record unemployment rates.

As a result, you can carry a balance from month to month. Depending on the size of your balance, this can cause you to incur thousands of dollars in interest charges if you only make the minimum payment. But if you have money left over in a month after essential expenses, you should use it to pay the utility bill. credit card ahead of time, instead of waiting until the expiration date.

When to make multiple payments on the credit card account
If the bill for your credit card is higher than usual because you've made a large purchase, like new workout equipment or office furniture, your credit utilization rate, or the percentage of your total credit that you're using, will go up. This is more noticeable when you have a lower credit limit.

The change in your balance can potentially lower your credit score, since utilization is the second most important factor in your credit score. It's important to keep a low credit utilization rate below the 30%, and ideally the 10% if you really want a good credit score.

Read More: Some things you need to know about credit cards

In these situations, and anytime you have a higher-than-normal balance, it may be a good idea to make multiple payments during your billing cycle or simply pay the entire balance before the due date. If you pay your balance more than once a month, you're more likely to have a lower credit utilization rate when the bureaus receive your information. Plus, paying multiple times can also help you keep track of your spending and reduce any overspending before you run into debt.

When card issuers report your balance to card agencies
The balance of your credit card it is reported to credit bureaus at different times in the billing cycle, depending on each lender. If you are not sure when the balance will be reported to the agencies, call your card issuer for the exact date.

Every time you open one credit card, you will receive a lengthy Card Ownership Agreement, setting out the various terms of your account. Most people just skim through this paperwork, as there is a lot of jargon and fine print.

But as the emitters of Credit cards waive payments, waive late fees, and temporarily pause payments to help borrowers stay afloat during the coronavirus, you may want to review your agreements more closely to find out what other changes may be made without your knowledge.

Pursuant to their federal agreements and regulations, issuers of Credit cards they may add, modify or remove benefits or services at their discretion. Your card issuer may change many of its features, such as reward rates and interest rates, for a variety of reasons.

Here are six benefits and terms that issuers of Credit cards can change without notice and how you can potentially avoid these situations.

-These changes of benefits and terms do not require prior notification
-Reward rate and redemption changes
-Increase or decrease the credit limit
-Increase or decrease in the variable annual interest rate for each preferential interest rate
-APR penalty that takes effect
-Promotion rate ends
-Eligible account closures

1. Reward Rate and Redemption Changes
many people open Credit cards for rewards in common spending categories like dining, groceries, gas, and travel, as well as various redemption options like statement credits, gift cards, and travel reservations. However, the reward rates and redemption options available may change at any time.

Read More: Ways to pay your credit cards amid the pandemic

2. Increase or decrease of the credit limit
When you open a credit card, you will be assigned a credit limit based on a number of factors, including a review of your credit report and credit score, your income, and your payment history. This amount can be from a couple hundred dollars to thousands, but it may not always be the same.

You have the option of requesting a credit limit increase, and sometimes your issuer may automatically increase your line of credit. Your issuer also has the right to lower your credit limit at any time, without notice.

Reasons for a lowered credit limit may include missing or late payments and/or overspending or underspending your Credit cards You may also notice that the credit limit decreases during a recession, as banks choose to limit the potential losses of cardholders who default on their debt.