Credit Repair Tips: 10 Ways to Quickly Get Your Credit Score in Shape

This is a frequently asked question in my office: “How do I improve my credit score after bankruptcy?” It may seem like the end of your credit score when financial disaster strikes, but you’d be surprised to learn that you can quickly rebuild your credit to get jobs and finance large purchases like a home or car. Here are my top 10 ways to quickly whip up your credit score Fit:

1. Never load more than 25% of any available line of credit;
2. Eliminate debt. [Pay it off, filed bankruptcy, or settle it]
3. Pay balances in full each month, on time [never charge more than you can afford]
4. Review your credit report annually for accuracy and to correct errors;
5. Never co-sign for another’s debt unless you are willing to pay for it;
6. Shred all privacy related documents [names, addresses, birthdates, etc.]
7. When shopping online, be sure to protect your identity/information;
8. Check your credit card statements monthly to make sure all charges are correct;
9. Request a new open account only as needed;
10. Don’t close old accounts

Having a great credit score is within everyone’s reach if you follow these simple tips. For more detailed information, visit the credit education center. I generally don’t recommend going into debt because, as a bankruptcy attorney, my job is to help eliminate debt for my clients. However, I find that many clients experienced problems not related to financial irresponsibility, but rather a financial calamity. This Great Recession has caused tremendous unemployment and underemployment where workers’ wages and/or hours are reduced. Many of these statistics are not included in the government’s unemployment rate, which makes it seem like our economy is improving. It is possible to recover from a drop in credit score. Working with a credit repair expert can speed up this process.

A reputable, professional credit repair company will conduct an ongoing written dispute campaign against every error it finds on your credit reports with the three major credit bureaus. You will also receive credit education during the process. After 60 Minutes aired 40 Million Errors: Is Your Credit Report Accurate?, there has been an increase in lawsuits against the credit bureaus Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union and creditors who report incorrect information under the Reporting Act. Fair Credit and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. These federal laws protect consumers from harassment by debt collectors and false information on credit reports.