How to Raise Your Credit Score in 90 Days

Ninety days is a reasonable time table for improving your credit score. Updates to your credit report are made by your creditors every 30 days, giving you plenty of time to make some moves with a 90-day plan. The bigger question is just how much you can expect your score to improve. Everyone's credit situation is different, with a number of factors used to compute your credit score. Among the considerations are your payment history, the type of credit you have, such as credit cards and loans, and your level of debt.

Instructions

1

Reduce the balances on existing credit card accounts to no more than 30 percent of the credit line on each account. Check your billing statements for the balances and then make payments. MSN Money reports that creditors like to see a large gap in your credit line and the amount of credit you are using.

2

Make payments to bring all of your credit accounts current, if necessary. This includes car payments, school loans and mortgages. Paying your bills on time and maintaining low balances are the two most important factors in improving your credit score, according to Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a national nonprofit consumer information company.

3

Use old credit cards that that you may have paid off and put away. MSN Money reports that credit card companies may stop updating your accounts to the credit bureaus if you stop using the cards. Pull the cards out, make small charges and pay them off in full each month. The cards will start reporting again, which could help improve your score.

4

Get a copy of your credit report and score. View and print your report from Annual Credit Report.com. The site offers free credit reports under the terms of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Order your credit score separately, for a fee.

5

Write letters to the credit bureaus disputing any errors or outdated information included on your credit reports. Bankruptcy information can be reported on your credit report for 10 years, and all other negative information can be reported for seven years. Write letters to the credit bureaus using the addresses on the credit reports. Removing outdated or incorrect information could boost your score.

6

Order another copy of your credit report and score after 60 days and again at 90 days to track your progress. You're entitled to three free reports every 12 months from Annual Credit Report.com. During that time you can order one free credit report from each of the nationwide credit bureaus -- TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. You must order and pay for your credit score separately each time.