Eddy's Take On Kikoff
The Bottom Line:
Kikoff is a leading provider of credit-building products designed to help you increase your credit score and build your credit history.
Their innovative Kikoff credit account and credit builder loan are an ideal starting point for anyone looking to establish or improve their credit profile.
This line of credit leverages the power of having various credit products and a reliable payment history to help you build skills and achieve your financial goals.
Whether just getting started or working on bumping up your current score, Kikoff offers various tools to help you succeed. So, if you're looking for smart ways to build credit, you can leverage this app.
Pros:
Cons:
Tired of being stuck with a low credit score or having no idea what a credit-building app can do for you?
Kikoff is one of the best credit-building tools for fast results. Your credit score increases in at least three months (See it on your credit report in 6 weeks).
Like myself, I needed to establish credit and never understood what bad credit can do to you.
Luckily, I started a credit repair business, and I was able to help others with their Kikoff credit account.
Now, I review different credit repair software and tools that help consumers with their credit scores.
In this Kikoff credit review, I'll show you the ins and outs of this credit-building app and how it can help you achieve your financial goals.
So, whether you're looking to build your credit score quickly or want a tool to help you stay on top of your credit report, this might be your credit repair tool.
What is Kikoff?
Kikoff is an online lender that offers various affordable credit-building services to help you build credit or improve your credit score.
Kikoff currently has three credit-building products in its portfolio to help you build excellent credit. None of these products require an application, nor do they report an inquiry to your credit report.
You don't have to worry about your approval odds for these products because you're instantly approved and can start building credit the same day.
Let's take a look at what Kikoff offers to determine which Kikoff account is right for you.
Kikoff Credit Account
The first product offered by Kikoff is the Kikoff credit line. This credit line has no application process and comes with a $750 credit limit that can only be used to purchase items from the Kikoff online store.
The Kikoff online store contains many self-help e-books that can help you gain valuable financial literacy while on your credit-building journey.
The first thing you want to do is make a purchase with your credit line from the Kikoff store. Items in the store can be purchased for as little as $10 or up to $20.
Three weeks after your initial purchase, you will receive a notification of the date of your first payment and the first payment amount.
Kikoff will then debit your minimum monthly payment automatically from your linked bank account on the same day every month going forward.
They will report this history to two credit bureaus if you make a minimum monthly payment of at least $5. (Experian and Equifax)
Kikoff Credit Builder Loan
The second credit-building tool available through this app is the Kikoff Credit Builder loan. This product is not available to new applicants but is grandfathered in for those who already have one.
This unique product appears on your credit report as an installment loan (personal loan), which helps diversify your credit mix on your credit report.
Credit mix is another credit score factor that can count as much as 10% of your overall score.
The beauty of the credit builder loan is that payments can be as little as $1 per month and are reported to the credit bureau as on-time loan payments.
I chose the $2/month installment loan, and it shows up on my credit report!
At the end of the loan term, the money you paid as payment is returned to you. It's really like a credit-building savings account.
Kikoff Credit +Cash Card (Mastercard)
Finally, Kikoff has a new credit-building tool called the Credit +Cash Card. This card is a hybrid of a secured credit card and a debit card.
Like a debit card, this Credit +Cash card will only allow you to spend up to the amount of money you have deposited onto the card.
Unlike the Kikoff credit account, which can only be used to purchase items in the internal online store, the Credit +Cash Card can be used to make regular purchases like groceries, gasoline, or dinner out.
The Kikoff Credit + Cash Card offers the following extras:
- $0 hidden fees
- 0% interest
- FDIC Insurance up to $250,000 for your deposits
- Mastercard Zero Liability Protection
- Monthly ATM withdrawal fee reimbursements
- Get your paycheck up to 2 days early when your wages are directly deposited to the Credit + Cash Card.
The best part about having the Kikoff Credit + Cash Card is as long as you are making deposits of over $50, the card history will be reported to all three credit bureaus.
Of all the products offered by Kikoff, this may be the best because you can use it like your regular checking account and debit card, but you build credit simultaneously.
All of these tools from Kikoff can help you build credit and improve your credit scores quickly and efficiently.
How Does Kikoff Increase Your Credit Score?
Most credit builder loans will provide you with a loan amount, and that's it. Kikoff will provide you with a suite of credit products that will provide you with financial protection for the future.
How? Not only do they provide you with credit report updates, but the kickoff loan monthly installments can also stay active for as long as you want to pay.
Most credit repair companies will refer you to a company like Kikoff once they remove all collections.
This is a significant benefit if you want to establish credit or improve your score in the long term, so you never have to worry about poor credit scores.
Here Is How Kikoff Makes Building Credit Easier:
The Kikoff credit building portfolio helps make credit building easier by addressing four key factors in building credit:
Payment History
Your payment history is the highest-ranking factor for a good credit score (35%). The Kikoff credit product's convenient automatic payment feature ensures you build a strong history of on-time payments.
Credit Utilization
Your credit utilization ratio is the second biggest factor in calculating your credit score. Ideally, you want to use less than 30% of your available credit to maintain a strong credit score.
With the Kikoff line of credit, you purchase a product from them for as little as $10, which keeps your credit utilization ratio low. This will also make a difference in building a strong credit history.
Account Age
The final piece of the credit puzzle is account age. The older your credit accounts are, the stronger your credit profile.
With Kikoff, the credit line has no expiration date, so you can continue using it indefinitely. As time goes by and this credit line gets older, it will help boost your credit history and score.
Credit Mix:
Kikoff offers a variety of credit products so you can improve your credit mix and diversify your credit portfolio.
How To Get Started Using Kikoff
You must create an online account and provide your social security number to get started.
Once you're approved, Kikoff will provide you with a credit line of $750 that you can use to purchase financial products from their store (You'll also need to link your bank account through Plaid).
The Kikoff store is filled with valuable self-help e-books you can use to help you with financial literacy.
Side note: I chose the $2/month installment loan as well and it actually shows up on my credit report!
Important: Make sure to download the app on the apple or google play store.
Who Created Kikoff?
The co-founders of Kikoff are Cynthia Chen and Christophe Chong, two financial experts that saw the need for a credit-building platform that was affordable, reliable, and simple to use.
Whether you're looking to build or improve your credit score, you can see more about this service at the Kikoff website.
With flexible payment options and no end date on your line of credit, it's easy to see why thousands of people have started using this financial tool.
The co-founders envisioned an app that could provide financial literacy to the users and help them make smarter decisions with their money.
How Much Does Kikoff Cost?
Kikoff is only $5 per month, making it one of the most affordable credit-building tools on the market.
There are no hidden fees or charges, so you can be sure you're getting your money's worth.
Seriously, it's a personal finance game-changer. There is no administration fee or greedy financial institution behind Kikoff.
Here are a few pricing perks:
- No administrative fees
- No Annual fees
- No late fees
- 0% APR Maximum rate
- No annual finance charges
You'll need to make sure you make on-time payments since they report monthly to the credit bureaus.
Kikoff Features
Since Kikoff reports to the major credit bureaus and competes with all other credit builders, they must offer some unique features to be the best.
Here are some of Kikoff's key features:
It never expires: Most credit builder tools have an end date, but this doesn't. You can easily set up autorenewal.
You can keep your account active for as long as you want and continue to build your credit score.
Credit Builder Loan: One of Kikoffs new credit building options is its loan. You can start saving $10 for 12 months.
Mobile App: With the online mobile app, you can easily check your credit score, view products, and receive notifications.
Access To Digital Coaches: Get full access to online courses, personal finance tools, and articles.
Kikoff FAQ
How Can I Cancel Kikoff?
You can contact support and know that your credit score will drop when you close your account because it will no longer be reported to the credit bureaus.
This is caused by the age of the account, not by your relationship with Kikoff.
How Long Does Kikoff Take To Appear On My Credit Report
Kikoff can take up to six weeks to reflect on your credit report, which I have noticed on my own report.
At least you can feel comfortable knowing you're making timely payments and building your credit score over time.
Does Kikoff Report to all 3 major credit bureaus?
To report to all three credit bureaus, you'll need both products that Kikoff offers.
This would be the monthly credit membership and credit builder loan.
Is Kikoff Legit?
Yes, Kikoff is completely legit and will show up on credit reports as "Kikoff Lending".
You can also view their reviews online or search for other people's experiences on YouTube.
Is Kikoff Worth it?
Yes, It's worth it If you've never built your credit score and are starting from scratch. Kikoff is one of the few credit builders that is very affordable.
Kikoff could help you reach your financial goals sooner than later. It's a great service to promote if you offer credit counseling.
Does Kikoff Have An App?
Yes, they have a mobile app that you can download for free on the App Store or Google Play Store.
The app allows you to access your account, make payments, view your credit score, and more.
Kikoff Alternatives
There are a few Kikoff alternatives that are worth mentioning:
- Credit Karma
- Self Credit Builder
- Nova Credit
- Experian Boost
- Sable
- Extra Debit Card
- Credit Strong
If you can use more than one, it can be very helpful in building up your credit score.
Final Thoughts
If you're looking to build your credit score fast, Kikoff is one of the best options on the market, and I haven't seen any negative reviews online.
With affordable pricing and various features, it's an excellent choice for anyone who wants to improve their financial health.
So what are you waiting for? Stop reading this Kikoff review and sign up today!