Your Credit History


"I just saw a great apartment that I want to rent, but the landlord asked me to sign a consent to a credit check. What if those bills from my student days are still on it?"

If you have never seen your credit report or if you have not checked it within the past two years, you should request a copy from at least one of the reporting agencies. Check the report carefully to make sure there are no errors reflected in your credit report. You can correct a mistake by showing proof of the error to both the entity that reported the inaccurate information and the reporting agency, but it may take some time and effort.

Steps Toward Better Credit

"My credit history is so bad. I wish I could just start over."

If your credit history is bad and your score is low because of too much spending and poor bill paying habits, don't despair. With a little time and a bit more discipline, you can improve your credit profile. Credit scores change with each new piece of information about you. Because the scoring system gives extra weigt to the most recent activity, the positive steps you take today may make a quick improvement in your score. Here are some suggestions:

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Pay all your bills on time. Late payments will cause you to lose points.
If you owe a lot on your credit cards, stop using the cards and make at least the minimum payment every month.
If you do not have a current source of credit, get one, use it and start making regular on-time payments to prove that you can. One way to get credit is to obtain a "secured" credit card issued by a bank that requires you to keep a small amount of money on deposit for the bank's protection in case you miss payments.
Do not apply for more credit than you need. Applications will show up on your credit report and may cause potential creditors to think you are about to take on more debt.
Don't ignore your debt obligations. If you are experiencing problems paying your bills, contact your creditors immediately and try to work out a reduced payment plan. If you can't work out a reduced payment plan with your creditors, consider contacting a credit counseling service for assistance. Your creditors may be more receptive to accepting reduced payments if you enter into a repayment plan with a reputable credit counseling service company.