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higher score can give you more financial options and many favorable
credit offers. If you already have a good score, you can still
improve it. There is no way to instantly boost your credit score.
But improvement is possible, no matter what your credit history
includes. With patience, time and tenacity, you can get the credit
score you desire.
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Seven
ways to start improving your credit score today
| 1.
Check your credit report regularly. Correct any incorrect
information you find on your credit report as quickly as possible.
Incorrect information is an invalid reflection of you as a credit
consumer. |
| 2.
Learn what your current credit score is as it appears on your
credit report. You can get your credit score by contacting any
credit reporting agency, such as Equifax, Experian or TransUnion.
These credit reporting agencies allow you to quickly get your
credit score, along with your credit report, for a small fee.
Remember, each of these 3 credit reporting agencies will have
slightly different scores. |
| 3.
Have as few open credit card accounts as possible. Don't open new
accounts that you don't need. The more open accounts you have, the
lower your score - even if your accounts have a zero balance. Why?
If you have an open account, it is assumed you could charge on it
at anytime. Therefore, even though you have a zero balance, the
account is viewed as debt you could possibly incur at any moment. |
| 4.
Try to keep account balances on your credit cards as low as
possible. The higher your debt to balance ratio, the lower your
score will fall. High balances on your account may negatively
affect your score because you have a greater chance of missing
payments. |
| 5.
Make all of your payments on time. Past Due accounts will be
listed on your credit report. Usually, you have 60 days before
this happens. If you cannot pay your bills on time, call your
creditors as soon as possible to explain the circumstances and
work out a payment schedule you can meet. If you are having
trouble paying due to circumstances such as serious illness or
unemployment, submit (in writing) an explanation to the credit
reporting agencies. This explanation will be added to your credit
report. Remember, the sooner you deal with your payment problems,
the more cooperative creditors will be. |
| 6.
Minimize the number of inquiries on your credit report. You can do
this by not applying for multiple credit cards over a short period
of time. Apply for new credit accounts only as needed. Each time
an inquiry is made on your credit report, it is listed. You may
lose as much as 5 points from your credit score for each inquiry. |
| 7.
If you have a bad credit history, consider opening new accounts
and then paying them off on time. This establishes a positive
credit history for you and shows that you now handle debt
responsibly. |
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