Poll: More Young Singles Using Credit Scores When Making Dating Decisions

PASADENA (CBSLA.com) — More and more young singles are using a person's credit score when making dating decisions.

A recent poll by FreeCreditScore.com found that 57 percent of men and 75 percent of women considered the rating before starting or continuing a relationship.

Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a psychology professor at Cal State Los Angeles and a relationship expert, said she's not surprised by the findings.

"I do think, for women, there's still that sense of, 'This man is going to be the breadwinner or the caregiver.' Or in some cases, maybe on the other side of the spectrum, the woman might say, 'I've worked really hard for my money, and I'll be darned if a guy is going to come along and mess all that work up,'" she said.

Durvasula believes there are advantages to knowing your boyfriend or girlfriend's credit score before putting a ring on it.

"A person who brings a really poor credit score into a relationship can really limit the couple together in their ability to get a mortgage; to get a loan for a car. And then resentments can breed over time," she said.

CBS2's Rachel Kim reported that some dating websites cater to people looking for partners with a high score.

While it may be a great sign of someone's financial stability, Durvasula said, "I've got to wonder if that person with an 850 credit score is going to be the same person who wipes your nose and puts you to sleep when you've got a cold."