Have you had difficult times because of your bad credit? In a tough economy, most people see their credit score go down. Luckily, you can improve your score and start now with the tips in this article.

If you have credit cards where the balance is more than half of your credit limit, pay these down right away. If your credit card balances exceed 50% of their limits, it will lower your credit score, so spread your debt over multiple cards, or better, pay down the balances.

Try opening an installment account. Make sure you can afford to make the payments and try to maintain a minimum monthly balance. Your FICO score will rise over time, if you responsibly manage this type of account.

Never trust a business or person who offers to clear up your credit for a price. Especially if it is correct information they say they can remove. Negative credit information remains on your record for up to seven years. You can, however, succeed at having incorrect information erased from your credit reports.

Credit restoration requires that you begin paying your bills. To help your credit, you should be paying the full amount owed within the time allowed. Once you have started to pay towards your past-due accounts, you credit score will gradually improve.

If you are looking into a credit counselor, be sure to find out information about them before you choose to use them. Some counselors truly want to help you, while others are untrustworthy and have other motives. Also be aware that there are other credit counseling services run by dishonest people. These services are scams and should be avoided at any cost. Wise consumers always verify that credit counselors are legitimate before dealing with them.

If your low credit rating has ever frustrated you and left you discouraged about your future, then apply the advice here to change your course. The helpful tips help stop your credit score from falling and make it go up instead.