It is likely you have done something to damage your credit rating at some point in your life, whether it was a shopping spree, a predatory loan or just being a victim of bad economic luck. You are in luck, though. These tips will help you get your credit score to that mythical 850.

Planning is the first step to repairing your credit. If you want to change then you have to work hard and stick with it. Just buy what you need, and forget unnecessary purchases. Look at your purchases closely. If you cannot afford something, and you do not need it, do not buy it.

When starting to repair your credit, pay your bill on time from now on. You can’t just pay whatever you want whenever you want. You need to pay your entire balance when it’s due. As soon as you have cleared those old debts, you will see an immediate improvement in your credit score.

Be wary of credit score repair scams that can get you in legal trouble. There are plenty of credit scams that purport to erase your existing credit file and create a new one. It’s illegal to do this and you can get caught easily. The legal consequences are expensive, and you might be sentenced to jail.

Debt Settlement

Before going into debt settlement, find out how it will affect your credit score. Some methods are less damaging than others; research them all before making an agreement with your creditor. Some debt settlement companies are only after profits and do not communicate the likely consequences of their methods.

Repairing a poor credit score can seem like a daunting task, but improving your score is possible with guidance and knowledge. Use what you’ve learned in this article to start fixing your credit and improve your credit score.