How to Fix Your Credit Score Yourself

You don't have to hire a debt attorney or a credit counselor to raise your credit score. You can take matters into your own hands and improve your credit score by managing your debts.

Instructions

1

Get a current copy of your credit report from all three credit reporting agencies. The agencies are Experian, Transunion, and Equifax. Examine your credit report very carefully. You will need to do this for each credit agency credit report. Some credit accounts may show up on your Equifax credit report and not on your Transunion credit report. Read each report to ensure that all credit account information is accurate and look for errors that you may need to dispute. You may find typos, outdated credit account information or incomplete information that has been reported by the creditor.

2

File a credit dispute report for any unfamiliar, inaccurate or fraudulent information that appears on your credit reports. Inaccuracies could include a wrong name, wrong creditor, wrong date, wrong amount of debt report or other judgments you are not aware of. You can file a dispute online or you can send a debt judgment credit dispute report to the creditor. You may also send the proper documentation to the credit agency to get an inaccurate debt report removed. If you have documentation that a credit account has been paid in full, but it is still showing up as unpaid, send the proper documentation to the credit agency.

3

Begin a plan of action to reduce your overall credit account debt. Call creditors and negotiate with them. You may be able to get your interest rate reduced, monthly payments lowered, or change the due date to help may help you manage your payments.

4

Pay your bills on time. Late payments, judgments and bankruptcies can affect your credit score for a very long time and can significantly lower your credit score.