How to Fix Your Credit Score: Free Action Plan

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• Get your free credit reports
  US: AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site for free reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, now available every week. AnnualCreditReport.com · FTC: free credit reports
• Check your reports with all three agencies
  UK: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion all keep files on you, and you can see your statutory report free. MoneyHelper: how to check your credit report
• Order your free credit reports
  Canada: request your free report from Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada. FCAC: credit reports and scores
• Get your free credit reports
  Australia: you can get a free copy of your credit report from each credit reporting agency. Moneysmart: credit reports
• Dispute anything that is wrong
  Mistakes like accounts that aren’t yours or wrong late payments can lower your score. You can dispute errors with the credit bureau and the company that reported them, for free. FTC: disputing errors on your credit reports
• Ask for mistakes to be corrected
  Contact the credit reference agency to correct wrong information. It’s free. MoneyHelper: how to improve your credit score
• Ask for errors to be fixed
  You can ask the credit reporting agency or the lender to correct wrong information, for free. OAIC: correct your credit report
• Pay every bill on time
  Payment history is the biggest factor in most scores. Set up autopay for at least the minimum, or reminders. If you’ve missed payments, get current and stay current.
• Keep card balances low
  Try to use only a small part of your credit limits. The CFPB says experts advise no more than 30% of your total limit. Use the utilization calculator below.
• Only apply for credit you need
  Lots of applications in a short time can lower your score.
• Think twice before closing old cards
  Closing cards can raise your utilization and shorten your credit history.
• Register on the electoral roll
  UK lenders use the electoral register to confirm your address, which can help your credit file. GOV.UK: register to vote
• New to credit? Try a credit-builder product
  A secured credit card or credit-builder loan, used carefully and paid on time, can help you build a history.
• Freeze your credit if you’re worried about identity theft
  A freeze is free in the US and stops new accounts being opened in your name. It doesn’t affect your score. FTC: credit freezes and fraud alerts
• Be patient
  Accurate negative information can’t be removed early. In the US most stays on your report for up to 7 years, and its impact fades as you build a better record. FTC: fixing your credit FAQs

Enter your credit card balances and limits to see how much of your available credit you are using.

What affects your credit score?

Each scoring company uses its own formula. FICO, a widely used US score, says these are the main parts of its scores:

Sources: myFICO: what’s in your credit score · CFPB: how to get and keep a good credit score

How do I freeze my credit? (US)

Contact each of the three bureaus. A freeze is free, and you can lift it any time, for example before applying for a loan.

• Equifax credit freeze
• Experian freeze center
• TransUnion credit freeze

How fast can I fix my credit?

There’s no instant fix. Correcting a genuine error can help as soon as the bureau updates your file. Otherwise, scores usually improve gradually as you pay on time, bring balances down and avoid new negative marks. High-interest debt makes this harder, so a plan from the debt payoff planner helps on both fronts.

Frequently asked questions