Utility and cellular phone companies usually only report negatives to the credit agencies. If you have been paying your utility bills on time; request that they report this positive information to the credit agencies.
Update your information with all credit agencies – ensure only ONE name is registered for you (not John Smith, J. Smith and John P Smith, Various AKAs show you may be trying to use credit in other names. Find out how long old debts are kept on record and make sure old information is removed.
Try and keep balances of credit cards to 20% of their limit (ha ha!)
Keep paid accounts open.
Consolidate small balances on low credit limit accounts to larger credit limit accounts.
