1. Pay Credit Card Balances Strategically

• Aim for credit utilization below 30% (preferably single digits).
• Pay balances before the billing cycle ends or multiple times a month.
• Impact: Highly influential.
• Time to work: Fast, once updated with credit bureaus.

2. Ask for Higher Credit Limits

• Request a credit limit increase from your card issuer to lower utilization.
• Avoid maxing out the extra credit to keep benefits intact.
• Impact: Highly influential.
• Time to work: Fast, after the limit is reported.

3. Become an Authorized User

• Get added to a friend or relative’s credit card with a high limit and good history.
• The account holder doesn’t need to share the card with you.
• Impact: Significant, especially for those new to credit.
• Time to work: Fast, once the account is reported.

4. Pay Bills on Time

• Late payments harm your score and stay on reports for up to 7 years.
• Automate payments to ensure timely minimum payments.
• Impact: Crucial—payment history is the largest factor in scores.
• Time to work: Varies depending on the history of missed payments.

5. Dispute Credit Report Errors

• Check for mistakes on free credit reports via AnnualCreditReport.com.
• Dispute inaccuracies like incorrect late payments or outdated items.
• Impact: High if errors exist.
• Time to work: Typically 30-45 days during the dispute process.

6. Deal with Collections Accounts

• Pay off collections to stop creditor lawsuits and possibly remove negative marks.
• Request a "goodwill deletion" from creditors after paying.
• Impact: High for scoring models that ignore paid collections (e.g., newer FICO versions).
• Time to work: Moderate, depending on negotiations or disputes.

7. Use a Secured Credit Card

• Open a card with a refundable cash deposit as the limit.
• Use responsibly to build a record of on-time payments.
• Impact: Helpful for new or rebuilding credit users.
• Time to work: Several months to establish consistent history.

8. Get Credit for Rent and Utility Payments

• Use services like Experian Boost or rent-reporting companies to add payment data.
• Not all scoring models include rent and utility payments, but they enhance credit reports.
• Impact: Variable depending on payment history.
• Time to work: Instant with Experian Boost; longer for rent reporting.

9. Add to Your Credit Mix

• Open a new account (credit card or loan) to diversify credit types.
• Consider a credit-builder loan if you lack loans or a new credit card for more utilization room.
• Impact: Helpful for thin files or limited credit types.
• Time to work: Fast after the account is reported.

Summing it up

• Strategies like lowering credit utilization, disputing errors, and adding accounts can quickly boost your score.
• Consistently paying bills on time is the foundation for strong credit.
• Be patient; improvements are cumulative and build over months of positive activity.

Pro Tip: Track your progress with free tools like credit score apps to stay motivated!

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