How to improve my credit score legally?

Submitted by judycaesar on Thu, 06/04/2009 - 19:30
Forums

I am trying to buy a home however my mid fico is 551 how can I legally increase my score? I need to boast my score by 100 points is this possible? Also can I have items deleted from my credit report.

Everything you described is DEFINITELY POSSIBLE!
Do your homework, starting with this site, and hold the bureaus and the creditors and collection agencies to the standards of accuracy, completeness, and verifiability!

Fri, 06/05/2009 - 01:35 Permalink

Hi judycaesar,

If you want to delete negative items from your credit report, you can directly dispute with the credit bureaus. You should send a Dispute Letter through certified mail with a return receipt requested. You will find a sample Dispute Letter in the Letters of Credit section. You can enclose a copy of the credit report, with the disputed items encircled. The credit bureaus will verify within 15 days. You are also entitled to get a free copy of your credit report after it has been corrected and updated.

Removing negative items will help to improve your score. Here are 5 other tips you can follow to increase your credit score:

1) Try to remain current on all your credit card accounts by making timely payment.
2) Keep your credit card utilization rate below the 50% mark.
3) Get a secured credit card, and make timely payments for it.
4) You can request a relative or friend to add you as an authorized user to one of their old credit card accounts. This will increase the length of your credit history.
5) Paying off an installment loan before the due date will give a boost to your score.

Fri, 06/05/2009 - 04:33 Permalink