Your Credit Score, Your Money & What’s at Stake (Updated Edition): How to Improve the 3-Digit Number That Shapes Your Financial Future

4. Improving Your Score—The Right Way

Okay, now you know your score, and you have a good idea of what goes into creating it. So, how do you make it better?

Step 1: Start with Your Credit Report

Because your credit score is based on your credit report, you should begin by ordering your reports from all three credit bureaus and reviewing each one for accuracy.

By federal law, U.S. consumers are entitled to one free credit report from each of the bureaus every year. You can order your reports from the Annual Credit Report Request Service by calling 877-322-8228 or by using its Web site, www.annualcreditreport.com. (If you use the online service, be sure to enter the Web site address correctly. If you mistype even ...