Your credit report is your track record.  Your Credit Scores is a numerical representation of your track record.  May individuals have low Credit Scores because they don't have enough positive items on their credit report.  Positive items can be added in several ways:

• Have a friend or relative add your name and Social Security Number to one of their credit cards as a joint owner.  If the friend or relative's account is older than two years and has a perfect payment record with a zero balance, this will usually have a positive affect on your credit rating the very next reporting cycle.  Your credit report will show that item on your credit report with its historical track record as your item and will list you as a joint owner.
• If your credit report is clean enough, a banker at your local bank may be able to help you get an unsecured Master Charge or Visa credit card from your local bank.  Note: ATM cards and Debit cards do not report to credit reporting agencies even if they have The Master Charge or Visa logo on the card.
• Open a secured credit card.  Many (not all) banks offer secured credit cards. These credit cards require that you open a savings account and keep a balance in that account in the amount of your credit limit on your credit card.  Every time you use your card, your are basically borrowing your own money.  You will also charged an annual fee for these cards.  Note: ATM cards and Debit cards do not report to credit reporting agencies even if they have The Master Charge or Visa logo on the card.
• Open an installment account at a department store or some other firm that might offer a payment plan.  Be sure this firm reports to all three credit agencies; many don't.
• Apply for gas credit cards or other revolving credit cards from retail stores.

Three accounts of the above nature will probably be plenty.  Be sure you pay these accounts on time and pay the balance on the account down to zero.  Use these cards once a month by purchasing something small that you would be buying anyway like a tank of gas.  Always pay the balance down to zero. 

Keep the number of inquires on your credit report down to three or four in the most recent six months period.     

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The information on this page and in this website is derived from sources that we believe are reliable. This information is not guaranteed.  We are not offering legal or accounting advice and suggest that you contact a lawyer and an accountant before taking any action.