The first step in fixing past mistakes is to get a current coy of your free credit score report. Don't be scared, got ahead and take the plunge order all three credit reports with all 3 credit scores. Ordering your credit report is actually easy and secure on-line. Contrary to popular belief ordering your own credit report does not affect your credit score.
Once you have pulled your report print it out and highlight all information that is incorrect. Make sure you understand everything on it.
Step 2: Check the expiration dates
The current law states that negative information will stay on your credit report for 7-10 years from collection date. The expiration date will vary depending on the type of collection. When you pay off a collection that does not mean it will be removed from your report.
Examine your report and determine when each collection is set to expire. Once these collections are set to expire you will see major improvement to your score.
Step 3: Dispute errors
If you find inaccurate information such as, fraudulent information, collections that expired still reporting, you have the right to dispute. You will have to dispute each of the 3 credit bureaus separately, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.Once you the bureaus have received your dispute they have 30 days to determine whether they will update information requested.
Don't dispute good credit on your report, accurate information cannot be removed from your credit report and is a waste of time. Disputing accurate information could harm your credit.
Step 4: Add positive credit
Now that you have disputed information that is not correct and have hopefully got it removed or update you can begin to add positive credit to your report. The quickest way to do this is to get a Orchard bank secured credit card. This credit card is designed to rebuild credit even for people that just got out of a bankruptcy. Make sure you use this card responsibly. Also avoid going applying for to lots of credit, you really need a couple of secured credit cards to start establishing good credit.
Step 5: Monitor your progress
It is very simple to monitor your progress of increasing your creditworthiness these days with credit report monitoring services. You can sign up for credit reporting monitoring services that will allow you to monitor your credit score, get key changes e-mailed to you, along with access to your credit report. Your credit score will improve over time as you add positive information to your report.
