The Better Business Bureau offers the following tips to improve a credit score:

• Review your credit report at least annually. Errors on your report could
hurt a credit score. Each of the reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian,
TransUnion) is required to provide a free copy of a personal credit report
once every 12 months.

• Pay bills on time. Late payments tarnish credit scores.

• Do not ignore traffic tickets (parking or moving violations) since the tickets adversely affect credit scores.

• Keep your credit card debt low.

• Limit the number of credit cards you have.

• Consider credit counseling. Check with the BBB to verify an organization’s reliability before contacting credit counseling services.