Your score can improve by managing your credit responsibly over time and following some basic tips:

• Make sure the information in your credit report is correct. You are entitled to one free credit report annually from the three credit bureaus - Experian, Transition, and Equifax. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to obtain your free reports. You may also purchase a copy of your credit score report through this website.
  
  
• Review your credit report for accuracy (date opened, account balance, account limit, last activity) and have incorrect or erroneous information updated.
  
  
• Pay down high credit card and revolving account balances, but don't close the account. Don't apply for credit that you don't need - excessive credit report "inquiries" can lower your score.
  
  
• Avoid moving credit balances from one account to another just to take advantage of low introductory interest rates. The combination of "inquiries" and "new accounts" can negatively impact your score.
  
  
• If possible, avoid "finance company" type credit accounts, including "90-day" and "12 months same-as-cash" accounts. Mortgage loans, installment loans and revolving credit card accounts impact your score more favorably than finance company accounts.