Improve Credit Fast: Score Basics and Tips

If you’re looking to improve your credit score quickly, there are a few strategies you can try. Depending on the factors that are dragging down your score, you may be able to see a significant improvement in as little as a few months.

Even if your credit score is currently in the “fair” or “bad” range, there’s hope for improvement. With the right approach, you could potentially add as many as 100 points to your score in a relatively short period of time. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most effective ways to build your credit quickly and get your finances back on track.

Is 100 Points Realistic?

If you have a low credit score, achieving a 100-point increase is possible and can be done quickly. A senior director of public education and advocacy for credit bureau Experian, Rod Griffin, says that those with lower scores have a better chance of achieving a 100-point increase due to the greater potential for improvement. Small changes can lead to significant score increases. Here are some strategies you can use to improve your credit quickly:

Pay credit card balances strategically
Dispute errors on your credit report
Make all payments on time
Use Experian Boost to get credit for bills you already pay
Keep your credit utilization below 30% of your limit

By implementing these strategies, you can improve your credit score and achieve a 100-point increase.

1. Pay credit card balances strategically

Your credit utilization, or the portion of your credit limit that you’re using at any given time, is an essential factor in calculating your credit score. It is recommended that you use less than 30% of your limit on any card, but lower is better. The highest scorers tend to have credit utilization in the single digits. You can track your credit utilization on each card and overall by viewing your credit score profile.

To improve your credit score, you want to make sure your balance is low when the card issuer reports it to the credit bureaus. A simple way to do that is to pay down the balance before the billing cycle ends or to pay several times throughout the month to always keep your balance low. This will ensure that the lower utilization is used in calculating your score.

Paying credit card balances strategically can have a highly influential impact on your credit score. Your credit utilization is the second-biggest factor in your credit score, and the biggest factor is paying on time. The time commitment required to pay off your credit card balance is low to medium. You can set calendar reminders to log in and make payments or add alerts on your credit card accounts to let you know when your balance hits a set amount.

This strategy can work fast, as soon as your credit card reports a lower balance to the credit bureaus, that lower utilization will be used in calculating your score. To stay on top of your credit score changes, you can see your free score anytime, get notified when it changes, and build it with personalized insights.

2. Ask for higher credit limits

Asking for a higher credit limit can be a great way to improve your credit score. When your credit limit goes up and your balance stays the same, it instantly lowers your overall credit utilization, which can improve your credit. If you’ve added more years of positive credit experience or your income has gone up, you have a decent shot at getting a higher limit.

Before you make this request, plan how you’ll keep your spending habits steady and not max out that extra available credit. If those higher limits are a temptation, this might not be the best strategy for you.

Contact your credit card issuer to ask about getting a higher limit. See if it’s possible to avoid a “hard” credit inquiry, which can temporarily drop your score a few points. The time commitment for this strategy is low.

Once the higher limit is reported to credit bureaus, it will lower your overall credit utilization — as long as you don’t use up the extra “room” on the card. This strategy can work fast.

It’s important to note that this strategy can be highly influential because utilization is a large factor in credit scores. However, it’s also important to be cautious and not let the higher limit lead to increased spending and debt.

Overall, asking for a higher credit limit can be a simple and effective way to improve your credit score, but it’s important to use it responsibly and not let it lead to overspending.

4. Pay Bills on Time

Paying your bills on time is the most important factor in both FICO and VantageScore credit scoring systems. Late payments can stay on your credit reports for 7½ years and every month an account is marked delinquent hurts your score.

If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, call the creditor immediately and pay up as soon as you can. Ask if the creditor will consider no longer reporting the missed payment to the credit bureaus. Even if the creditor won’t do that, it’s worth getting current on the account ASAP.

To prevent missed payments, set up account reminders and consider automatic payments to cover at least the minimum. This has a low time commitment and can have a highly influential impact on your credit score.

The impact of delinquent payments fades over time, and adding more positive credit accounts can help to speed that up. How fast it could work varies, depending on how many payments you’ve missed and how recently. It also matters how late a payment was (30, 60, 90 or more days past due).

In summary, paying your bills on time is crucial to maintaining a good credit score. Set up account reminders and consider automatic payments to prevent missed payments. If you miss a payment, call the creditor immediately and pay up as soon as you can to minimize the impact on your credit score.

5. Dispute Credit Report Errors

Disputing errors on your credit report is an effective way to quickly improve your credit score. You have the right to obtain a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus, which you can request through AnnualCreditReport.com. Once you have your reports, carefully review them for any mistakes. These errors could include payments marked as late when you paid on time, someone else’s credit activity mixed with yours, or negative information that is too old to be listed anymore.

Disputing credit report errors can vary in impact, but it could be high if a creditor is reporting that you missed a payment when you didn’t. The time commitment for disputing errors can be medium to high, as it takes time to request and read your free credit reports, dispute errors, and track the follow-up. However, the process is worthwhile, especially if you’re trying to build your credit ahead of a milestone such as applying for a large loan. If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage, get disputes done with plenty of time to spare.

The speed at which disputing errors could work varies. The credit bureaus have 30 days to investigate and respond. Some companies offer to dispute errors and quickly improve your credit, but proceed with caution.

Nerdy Tip: If you prefer to receive your credit report in Spanish, you can request it directly from each of the three major credit bureaus. TransUnion can be reached at 800-916-8800, Equifax can be reached at 888-378-4329 or by visiting their website, and Experian can be reached at 888-397-3742 or by visiting their website.

In summary, disputing credit report errors is a crucial step in improving your credit score. Request your free credit reports from the three major credit bureaus, review them for mistakes, and dispute any errors you find. Keep in mind that the process can take some time, but it’s worth it in the end.

6. Deal with Collections Accounts

Dealing with collections accounts is an essential step towards improving your credit score. Paying off a collections account removes the risk of being sued over the debt and can persuade the collection agency to stop reporting the debt once you pay it. Moreover, if the collections account is inaccurate or too old to be listed, you can have it removed from your credit report.

However, the impact of collections accounts on your credit score varies. An account in collections is a serious negative mark on your credit report, so if the collector agrees to stop reporting the account, it could help a great deal. If the collector keeps reporting the account, the effect depends on the scoring model used to create your score. The FICO 8 model, which is most widely used for credit decisions, still takes paid collections into account. However, more recent FICO models and VantageScores ignore paid-off collections.

If you are looking to improve your credit score quickly, paying off collections accounts can help. On credit scores that ignore paid collections, such as VantageScore and newer FICOs, as soon as the paid-off status is reported to credit bureaus, it can benefit your scores. In other cases, such as disputing a collection account or asking for a goodwill deletion, the process could take a few months.

In summary, dealing with collections accounts is crucial for improving your credit score. Paying off collections accounts can help, but the impact on your score depends on the scoring model used. If you have inaccurate or old collections accounts, you can have them removed from your credit report.

7. Use a secured credit card

If you are new to credit or have a dented credit history, a secured credit card can be a useful tool to build or rebuild your credit. A secured credit card requires a cash deposit upfront, which becomes your credit limit. You can use it like a regular credit card and make on-time payments to help build your credit. Look for a secured card that reports your credit activity to all three major credit bureaus to maximize the impact.

Using a secured credit card can have a medium time commitment. It may take several months to see significant improvements in your credit score. However, the goal is not just to have another card but to build a record of keeping balances low and paying on time. This will help you add positive credit history and dilute past missteps.

Consider alternative credit cards that don’t require a security deposit. However, secured credit cards can be a good option for those who are new to credit or have a dented credit history. By using a secured credit card responsibly, you can build a solid credit foundation and improve your credit score over time.

8. Get credit for rent and utility payments

Would you like to improve your credit score by adding your utility and rent payments to your credit report? Rent reporting services can help you do that. By adding your on-time rent payments to your credit reports, you can build a long record of consistent payments that can only help your credit score. However, it’s important to note that not every scoring model considers rent payments. For example, FICO 8 does not include rent payments, but VantageScores do.

Another option to consider is Experian Boost. I have personally used it, as well as their Experian Digital Checking. This free service allows you to link your bank accounts and scan for payments to streaming services, phone and utility bills, as well as eligible rent payments. You can choose which payments you want to add to your Experian credit report. If a creditor pulls your FICO 8 using Experian data, you get the benefit of that additional payment history.

It’s important to note that the impact of adding rent and utility payments to your credit report varies. Additionally, the time commitment is low, as no additional time is needed after the initial setup. Experian Boost works instantly, but the rent reporting aspect of it, as with rent reporting services, will vary based on your payment history. Some services offer an instant “lookback” of the past two years of payments, but without that, it could take some months to build a record of on-time payments.

9. Add to your credit mix

Having a diverse credit mix can help improve your credit score, especially if you don’t have a good mix of credit accounts. If you only have credit cards, consider adding a loan to your credit mix. A credit-builder loan can be a low-cost option to add to your credit mix. Make sure the loan you’re considering adding reports to all three credit bureaus.

On the other hand, if you have only loans or few credit cards, adding a new credit card can help improve your credit mix. In addition to improving credit mix, it can reduce your overall credit utilization by providing more available credit.

Adding a new credit account in good standing can help improve your credit score, but it is important to consider the potential impact. Opening a loan account is more likely to help someone with only credit cards. For people with few accounts or short credit histories, there is more potential gain.

Adding a new credit account requires a medium time commitment. Consider whether the time spent researching providers and applying is worth the potential lift to your score. Weigh what you’d pay in interest and fees if you’re getting a loan or card strictly to improve your credit.

As soon as the new account’s activity is reported to the credit bureaus, it can start to benefit you. Therefore, adding a new credit account can work fast in improving your credit score.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast can you raise your credit?

Someone with a low credit score is better positioned to quickly make gains than someone with a strong credit history. Paying bills on time and using less of your available credit limit on cards can raise your credit in as little as 30 days.

How can I raise my credit in 30 days?

Paying bills on time and paying down balances on your credit cards are the most powerful steps you can take to raise your credit. Issuers report your payment behavior to the credit bureaus every 30 days, so positive steps can help your credit quickly.

How do I get my credit score up 100 points in one month?

If you have a low score, you’re better positioned to make gains than someone with a good credit score. Depending on what’s holding it down, you may be able to add as many as 100 points through positive credit habits like paying on time or using less of your available credit.

What’s the best way to build a record of on-time payments?

Regardless of your income, building a history of paying on time is one of the most important financial habits you can start. A credit card offers one of the easiest ways to do this. Set up automatic payments to make sure you don’t miss any payments. If you tend to shy away from credit cards to avoid the temptation to overspend, consider treating the credit card as a debit card, paying the balance just as soon as it posts.

Can I still build credit if I have a small income?

Absolutely. The same ingredients go into building a great score, no matter how large or small your paycheck is. If you live in a low-income household, utilizing assistance programs can help free up extra money to pay down debt and ensure on-time payments, both of which are important factors used to calculate your credit score.

What are some effective ways to increase your credit score quickly?

If you want to increase your credit score quickly, some effective ways include paying your credit card balances strategically, asking for higher credit limits, becoming an authorized user, paying bills on time, disputing credit report errors, and dealing with collections accounts. You can also consider using a credit repair service to help you improve your credit score.

Are there any credit boosting apps that can help improve my credit score?

Yes, there are several credit boosting apps available that can help you improve your credit score. Some popular options include Credit Karma, Credit Sesame, and Mint. These apps allow you to monitor your credit score, receive alerts for changes, and get personalized recommendations for improving your credit.

What are some of the top credit score sites to use for monitoring and improving your credit?

Some of the top credit score sites to use for monitoring and improving your credit include Credit Karma, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. These sites provide free credit reports and credit scores, as well as personalized tips for improving your credit.

How can you raise your credit score by 100 points in just 30 days?

Raising your credit score by 100 points in just 30 days is a challenging task, but it is possible. Some effective ways to achieve this include paying off high credit card balances, disputing credit report errors, becoming an authorized user on someone else’s account, and asking for a credit limit increase.

What is the fastest way to build credit from a score of 500?

If you have a credit score of 500, the fastest way to build credit is to start by paying all your bills on time and in full. You can also consider getting a secured credit card, which requires a deposit but can help you build credit. Another option is to become an authorized user on someone else’s account, which can help you establish credit without having to take on any debt.

Is a credit builder loan a good option for improving your credit score?

Yes, a credit builder loan can be a good option for improving your credit score. With a credit builder loan, you borrow a small amount of money and make regular payments over a set period of time. As you make payments on time, your credit score will gradually improve. However, it’s important to make sure that the lender reports to all three credit bureaus so that your payments are reflected in your credit report.