How to improve credit score (I declared bankruptcy)

To get your credit report for free, go to annualcreditreport.com.

To check your credit score, go to myfico.com. There you will find all the information your need about your credit score.

Never exceed the limit of your credit cards, or get close to it. If possible, use no more than 30% of your credit card balance. Your credit score will suffer if you are constantly near, or over the limit.

One of the most effective ways of keeping your credit score high is paying your bills on time. Never miss or be late with a payment of anything.

When you take a cash advance, that might indicate that you have money problems, or that you will have them in the near future. This could lower your credit rating, so try to avoid it if at all possible.

If you are not sure you'll be able to improve your credit score on your own, try using a credit repair company. Be sure to know how much will it cost you and what exactly are they able to do for you that you can't do on your own.

For a list of the best credit repair companies, check thetoptens.com

Often canceling old cards and opening new ones will look bad on your credit score. The longer you have an open account with the same credit card company, the more reliable you will look to potential money lenders, landlords, employers, etc.

Regularly check your credit report and complain about any mistakes it might hold. Everybody make mistakes, so don't take your report for granted. Study it carefully to see if everything written in it is true.

Clear your debt as much as possible. The less debt you have, the better will your credit score look. Check Debt for solutions.

Being late on your payments, or missing them entirely, will decrease your credit score. If you know you won't be able to honor current payment schedule, talk to your lenders to make a new payment plan, the one you will be able to sustain. That way you will avoid damage to your credit score.

You don't have to use it very often, or at all, but it's good to have at least one. It will boost your credit scores. If you never had a credit card before, or if you declared bankruptcy, you will most likely be eligible only for a secure credit card you can get from your own bank. Ask your bank about it.

Consider taking a small loan you can easily repay. Make sure your payments are on time. Take into account that your interest rate will be high because of your poor credit score. However, when you repay it, your credit score will increase and when you apply for a new loan (if you need it), you will be able to get it at a lower rate.

The more credit you have available to you, the better will your credit score be. You don't have to use it. Just keep it available. If it's too tempting to have several credit cards and you're afraid you'll get into more debt, just cut them up.