This document outlines 8 simple steps to rebuild your credit score: 1) Order your credit report from each of the 3 major credit bureaus, 2) Get a secured credit card to establish credit, 3) Pay all bills on time to improve payment history, 4) Keep credit utilization low by paying down balances, 5) Contact lenders to increase credit limits, 6) Be cautious of opening too many new accounts, 7) Pay off low-balance loans first before larger debts, and 8) Use online resources to learn more about rebuilding credit.

1. Rebuild Your
Credit Score
With 8
Simple Steps

2. WWhath daote sd ao goeosd acr egdoit oscdor ec greetd yoitu ?
score get you?

4. WChraet ddoiets sa cgooorde csre rdait nscgoere fgreot ymou ?
300-850

6. WhWat dhoaets ad geooted rcrmediitn secosr ey goetu yro u?
credit score?

9.  Order from 1 credit bureau today
What does a good credit score get you?
 Order from another one in several months
 Order from the 3rd in 8 months

11.  Get a secured credit card
What does a good credit score get you?
 Requires cash security deposit, which sets
your credit limit
 Check to see if your bank or credit offers one

13.  Bill payment history is #1 influencer of
What does a good credit credit scores
score get you?
 Paying just 1 bill 60+ days late can impact
your credit score
 At least pay minimum amount due to
rebuild credit

15.  Balance to credit limit ratio is another influencer
 Keep your balance low or pay it down to rebuild
What does a good credit score get you?
credit
 Contact your bank/credit union to increase your
credit limit which increases balance to credit
Limit ratio

17.  Some banks don’t increase credit balances for
What does a good credit score get you?
minimum payments
 When you pay more than the minimum,
the ratio of balance to credit limit improves
 You’ll rebuild your credit as a result

19.  Having many accounts in a short time can
decrease credit scores
What does a good credit score get you?
 Schumer Box is a good research tool for
credit options
 This tool gives a summary of credit card
Disclosures
 Avoid cards with high penalty fees/rates

21.  Begin by paying off low balance loans
What does a good credit score get you?
 Next, work on reducing larger loan balances
 Making regular payments are crucial
 Pay down debt if you have additional funds after
paying monthly balance

23.  Here are additional online resources that
show you how to rebuild credit:
What does a good credit score get you?
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/topics/money-credit
http://www.experian.com/index-hpw.html
https://www.creditkarma.com/