| Conventional wisdom says that if you want to raise | | | | Alternatively, you could ask your creditor to directly |
| your credit score, you need to focus on disputing all | | | | report positive credit information to the credit bureaus. |
| the negative items on your credit report to have them | | | | This is worth a try even though some creditors |
| removed. But many are unaware that the opposite is | | | | routinely only report to certain credit agencies or not at |
| also true. It's possible to increase your credit score by | | | | all, and won't deviate from their standard procedure. |
| adding positive information to your credit file that has | | | | Confirmation of Stability |
| been omitted. Asking that information that positively | | | | Any evidence you can add to your credit report that |
| reflects on your creditworthiness be added to your | | | | indicates your stability will further help your cause. Such |
| report can help build your credit score as well. | | | | information might include data related to employment |
| Consider having the following three kinds of data | | | | and/or your residence. If you can show longevity in |
| added to your report if they would help your score. | | | | either of those areas and it's not reflected on your |
| Explanation of Disputed or Incomplete Facts | | | | credit report, have that changed. Also, update any |
| Credit reporting agencies are required to include an | | | | missing or inaccurate social security, phone, or birth |
| explanatory statement in your credit report if you | | | | date information while you're at it to avoid potential |
| dispute the accuracy or completeness of a particular | | | | account mistakes. |
| item. Your statement should be well thought out and | | | | You never know which credit bureau a potential lender |
| brief. Simply not being able to pay is not a legitimate | | | | will use to gather your credit information from. To |
| excuse, but if you have other extenuating | | | | ensure your information is correct across all three |
| circumstances, they can add value. You might have to | | | | national credit bureaus, you will want to make sure you |
| pay a fee to have your statement included with your | | | | update your information with all of them. |
| file, but then you can request it be sent out with future | | | | You're entitled to one free credit report annually from |
| reports, as well to update ones sent out previously - | | | | each of the three credit reporting agencies. Exercise |
| up to six months prior or two years if it was for | | | | that right once you're done with your updates to |
| employment purposes. | | | | ensure the changes you've requested have been |
| Omission of Positive Histories | | | | added. Check once again for any outdated or |
| Accounts that you might expect to find on your credit | | | | inaccurate data. Going forward, continue to do a credit |
| report are often omitted. For example, mortgage and | | | | check annually and fix any mistakes and add positive |
| auto loan information are frequently omitted. Local | | | | items. Regularly checking your credit report can both |
| banks and credit unions often don't report either. | | | | limit your exposure to identity theft, as well as help you |
| Positive information from these sources can benefit | | | | maintain the highest credit score you can. Even though |
| your credit score and you should ask that such data | | | | it takes time, you can effectively add positive |
| be added to your account. While the agencies aren't | | | | information to your credit report to build a better credit |
| required to add this data they often do, but you might | | | | score. |
| be charged a fee. | | | | |