taking steps to raise a bad credit score
There are many steps you can take to improve your credit score. Just because you have bad credit now doesn't mean you have to be stuck with a low credit score forever. Here are some things you can do to start improving your score:
- Start paying credit card bills, car loan payments and mortgage loan payments on time.
- Negotiate with collection agencies and past-due creditors to come up with a payment plan you can afford, and one that will allow your account to show as "current" rather than "past due" on your credit report.
- After bankruptcy or foreclosure, it's important to show that you're able to bounce back and make future payments on time. Opening a secured line of credit or secured credit card and making payments on time for 12 months can have a positive impact on your credit score.
- Review a copy of your credit report on a regular basis to ensure there are no errors.
