Top 5 Steps to Improve Credit

Order Credit Reports

Find out what the top three credit bureaus - Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian - are saying about you. It's likely that your reports are slightly different. Creditors don't have to report to all three credit bureaus. They generally report to the credit bureau to which they also subscribe. When you apply for credit, the company you applied to must supply the credit bureau's name, address and telephone number. You have 60 days after receiving a denial notice to request your copy.

Examine Reports Carefully

Examine your reports carefully because almost every consumer has an error on at least one credit report from one of the major credit bureaus. Credit bureaus generate your report on information they receive from your creditors but they do not verify.

Carefully look for everything from typing errors, outdated and incomplete information, to inaccurate account histories. Make a thorough list of the items you will dispute and why.

Continued on ListMyFive