How to Get a Rapid Rescore on a Credit Report

It can be disheartening to learn that your credit score is low when you are trying to apply for a mortgage or other loan. While you can't instantly fix the mistakes you've made in the past, you can fix mistakes that are on your credit report. If your credit report has any errors, you can have the credit company fix those errors, which can result in a rapid rescore on your report. You can improve your credit score in just six weeks.

Instructions

1

Bite the bullet and order a copy of your credit report. You need to see why your credit score is low. The U.S. government allows you to receive one free credit report per year. The only official place to order your free report is AnnualCreditReport.com. When you order the free report, you do not get to see the credit score--this is an additional fee. Other sites will give you a free report and score, but will force you to sign up for a credit monitoring system with a monthly fee.

2

Look through the report to find any mistakes. One of the most common errors that you'll find is unauthorized credit checks. Whenever you get credit card offers in the mail, these companies have often checked your credit report. Also look at the accounts that are listed on the report. Are there any that are still open even though you had closed them? Are all the dates correct? Are your balances correct?

3

Notify each of the three credit bureaus about the mistakes on your report. Write a letter to the credit bureaus detailing the errors on your report and asking them to correct these errors. Make sure to send these letters by certified mail so that you can verify that the companies received your letters.

4

Follow up if you have not received a response in six weeks. The credit bureau must look into your dispute and respond with the results within six weeks. If six weeks pass and you have not heard back from the credit company, call to find out where your account stands. Prompt attention on your part will speed your rescore.