How Bad Credit Could Affect You [Infographic] | Credit One Bank

Your request is being processed.

Please wait.

<meta property="cq:wcmmode" content="disabled"/><meta property="articleFeedData" content="{"baseUrl":"/articles/a-cautionary-tale-of-bad-credit-infographic","bottomArticles":[{"date":"Mon May 11 16:15:19 PDT 2026","imagePath":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/images/articles/2024/10/240517_DA_WhatCreditScoreDoYouStartWith_SEOA_FINAL.jpg","author":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/content-fragments/authorbio/jorge-labrador/jcr:content/data/master","previewDescription":"Wondering what your starting credit score is? Learn how to build a strong foundation from the beginning of your credit journey.","title":"What Credit Score Do You Start With?","pagePath":"/articles/what-credit-score-do-you-start-with","imageAlt":"A young woman raises her fist in celebration while holding up her credit card, as if she\u2019s pleased with her starting credit score.","tags":["creditonebank:CreditEducation","credit-one-central-topics:credit-card","credit-one-central-topics:credit-report","credit-one-central-topics:credit-score","credit-one-central-topics:building-credit"]},{"date":"Mon May 11 16:15:19 PDT 2026","imagePath":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/images/articles/2024/12/240595_DA_UnsecuredCreditCards_SEOA_FINAL.jpg","author":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/content-fragments/authorbio/heather-vale/jcr:content/data/master","previewDescription":"Unsecured credit cards can boost your financial situation, but only if you manage them properly. Here\u2019s everything you need to know before getting one.","title":"What Are Unsecured Credit Cards?","pagePath":"/articles/what-are-unsecured-credit-cards","imageAlt":"A woman thoughtfully holds up her credit card while walking through an outdoor shopping center, perhaps happy that she has an unsecured credit card.","tags":["credit-one-central-topics:credit-card","credit-one-central-topics:credit-score","creditonebank:CreditEducation","credit-one-central-topics:building-credit"]},{"date":"Mon May 11 16:15:17 PDT 2026","imagePath":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/images/articles/2024/10/240497_DA_ImproveYourCreditScore_SEOA_FINAL.jpg","author":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/content-fragments/authorbio/heather-vale/jcr:content/data/master","previewDescription":"Raising your credit score could lead to higher credit limits and lower interest rates. Here\u2019s how to improve your score and your overall financial life.","title":"How To Improve Your Credit Score","pagePath":"/articles/how-to-improve-your-credit-score","imageAlt":"A business woman holds a credit card while using her laptop, and an image of a globe reading \u201ccredit score\u201d is surrounded by icons of various financial aspects that could affect a credit score.","tags":["creditonebank:CreditEducation","credit-one-central-topics:credit-score"]}],"authorArticlesMobile":[],"topArticles":[{"date":"Thu May 21 00:00:00 PDT 2026","imagePath":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/images/articles/2026/05/260210 - DA_RefreshRebuildingCredit_SEOA_FINAL.jpg","author":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/content-fragments/authorbio/heather-vale/jcr:content/data/master","previewDescription":"If you\u2019ve been through a financial crisis, you may be wondering how to rebuild your credit. It takes time, but here\u2019s how to do it. ","title":"Rebuilding Your Credit After a Financial Crisis","pagePath":"/articles/rebuilding-your-credit-after-a-financial-crisis","imageAlt":"A young woman rests her chin on her hands as if she\u2019s contemplating a crisis while another woman, who is perhaps her therapist or credit counselor, looks on with a clipboard.","tags":["creditonebank:CreditEducation","credit-one-central-topics:building-credit","credit-one-central-topics:credit-card","credit-one-central-topics:credit-score"]},{"date":"Wed May 20 00:00:00 PDT 2026","imagePath":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/images/articles/2026/05/260189_DA_RefreshSecuredToUnsecured_SEOA_Final.jpg","author":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/content-fragments/authorbio/heather-vale/jcr:content/data/master","previewDescription":"Secured credit cards can help you build credit when used strategically. But how and when can you upgrade to an unsecured card?","title":"How Long Does It Take for a Secured Card To Become Unsecured?","pagePath":"/articles/how-long-does-it-take-for-a-secured-card-to-become-unsecured","imageAlt":"A young woman sits on her couch while happily comparing two credit cards, one in each hand. One may be a secured credit card and the other is her newly earned unsecured card.","tags":["creditonebank:CreditEducation","credit-one-central-topics:building-credit","credit-one-central-topics:credit-card","credit-one-central-topics:credit-score"]},{"date":"Mon May 11 16:15:19 PDT 2026","imagePath":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/images/articles/2024/09/240415_DA_CreditCardChargedOff_SEOA_FINAL.jpg","author":"/content/dam/cob-corp-acquisition/content-fragments/authorbio/heather-vale/jcr:content/data/master","previewDescription":"What happens when your credit card gets charged off? Discover the impact on your credit, how debt collection works, and steps to reduce the effects.","title":"What Happens When a Credit Card Is Charged Off?","pagePath":"/articles/what-happens-when-a-credit-card-is-charged-off","imageAlt":"A young woman looks at her credit card and several past-due invoices, indicating her credit card may be charged off.","tags":["creditonebank:CreditEducation","credit-one-central-topics:credit-card","credit-one-central-topics:debt","credit-one-central-topics:building-credit"]}],"lastPageNumberMobile":0,"currentPageNumber":1,"lastPageNumber":80,"articlesTopics":["credit report","credit score","building credit","credit card","debt"],"currentPageNumberMobile":1}"/>

FDIC-Insured - Backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government

Accept Mail Offer
See If You Pre-Qualify
For What's Ahead
Customer Service

Credit Education
Personal Finance
Life Events
Financial Planning
Glossary

Credit Education
Personal Finance
Life Events
Financial Planning
Glossary

Home
Blank

A Cautionary Tale of Bad Credit [Infographic]

Author: Sean P. Egen

June 27, 2019

Topics:

Credit Score Infographic

A cautionary tale of what could happen if you have bad credit

A cautionary tale of what could happen if you have bad credit

Photo of the author

About the author:

After realizing he couldn’t pay back his outrageous film school student loans with rejection notices from Hollywood studios, Sean focused his screenwriting skills on scripting corporate videos. Videos led to marketing communications, which led to articles and, before he knew it, Sean was making a living as a writer. He continues to do so today by leveraging his expertise in credit, financial planning, wealth-building, and living your best life for Credit One Bank.

Recommended Articles

What Kind of Beard Would Your Credit Score Be?

Thu Jul 25 2019

If Credit Scores Were Facial Hair [Infographic]

Not everyone can grow facial hair, but most of us can appreciate the different styles and what they might suggest about the men sporting them. Check out the beard style your credit

Things That Should Appear In Your Credit Reports

Sat Feb 15 2020

Will This Appear In My Credit Report? [Quiz]

Your credit reports contain useful information that paints a picture of your “creditworthiness.” But, like any type of report, credit reports don’t tell a reader the complete

Tips for Building Credit

Fri Mar 26 2021

How to Build Credit [Infographic]

So you want to build credit but you’ve got no credit cards or other forms of credit. Well, how are you supposed to build a credit history without any credit? It’s not easy, but these

Credit Cards

Browse Credit Cards
See If You Pre-Qualify
Accept Mail Offer
Application Status

Deposits

Jumbo Deposit Products
High-Yield Jumbo CD
Bump Up Jumbo CD
High-Yield Savings

Support

FAQs
Contact Us
Accessibility
Keys to Credit

About Us

Company
Partnerships
Community
Careers
Testimonials

Credit One Bank Mobile App

Privacy
Terms of Use
Security & Fraud
Card Agreements

© 2026 Credit One Bank, N.A. All Rights Reserved. Member FDIC. This is a secure site.