Credit scores reflect a borrower's credit payment patterns over time with the most emphasis placed on recent information (24 months). There are some other strategies a potential borrower can employ that may have a positive effect on his/her score.

1. Pay down the balances on revolving accounts. Credit scores are more negatively affected by delinquencies on revolving than installment credit. In addition, high outstanding balances on revolving accounts can have a major impact on the score. By reducing the balance, but not closing the account, the borrower will improve their balance/high credit ratios and positively impact his/her score. It will take the bureaus at least 45 to 60 days to reflect a lower balance.
   
   
2. Pay past due accounts current.
   
   
3. Avoid credit surfing. This is the practice of shifting revolving credit balances from one card to another, usually to take advantage of low introductory interest rates. The combination of inquires and newly opened balances, especially since new balances will show on a credit report before old ones are reported as paid, can make a consumer appear to be in search of new credit.
   
   
4. Avoid finance company credit. New credits in the form of cash loans from a finance company have more of a negative impact on a borrower's score than other installment or revolving debt. Borrowers should also avoid 90-day 12 months same-as-cash finance company transactions in the months preceding their loan application.
   
   
5. Have erroneous information corrected or updated. Borrowers should pay particular attention to the accuracy of the credit history, such as the dates of last activity and/or delinquency, since recent information has the greatest impact on credit scoring.
   
   
6. Avoid creating numerous inquires. Each inquiry can lower your score.
   
   
7. Have your scores corrected as soon as possible. Some useful websites to visit are:
   
   

   www.annualcreditreport.com		www.experian.com
   www.equifax.com