Your credit report is the information provided to the credit scoring system lenders use to determine their financial risk in granting you a home loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC). Credit bureaus, or consumer reporting agencies (CRAs), collect, package, and sell what is commonly known as your "credit report" or "credit profile" to companies seeking information about your financial matters. However, these reports can contain inaccurate, incomplete, outdated and sometimes even misleading information that can lower your credit score, also known as your FICO score, and can cause you to be denied a line of credit or debt consolidation loan, or to settle for a bad credit loan with high interest and poor terms.

There are hundreds of credit bureaus across the nation, but they are generally are affiliates of, or subscribers to, these three bureaus: Trans Union, Experian, and Equifax

What is a FICO score?

FICO is a credit scoring system developed by Fair Isaac & Co. According to myFICO.com, a division of Fair Isaac, you have three credit scores that range from 300 to 850, one for each of the three credit bureaus Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Each score is based on information the credit bureau keeps on file about you (credit reports). As this information changes, your FICO credit scores tend to change, as well.

How Can I Increase My FICO Score?

Increasing your credit score takes time. The following are ways you can work towards increasing your FICO credit score.

Pay your bills on time to raise your score. Late payments and collections lower it.

Do not apply for credit frequently. Having too many inquiries worsens your score.

Reduce your credit card balances. Being "maxed" out affects your FICO score negatively.

If you have limited credit, obtain additional credit. Not enough credit can negatively impact your score.

Get a copy of your credit reports from each of the above-listed CRAs and check them for accuracy. If any information is incorrect, dispute it, so it can be corrected. This is known as repairing your credit.

Isnt Credit Repair Illegal?

Credit repair is only a concern when anyone tries to have accurately reported derogatory information illegally deleted from their credit reports. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) states that both the consumer reporting agency and the information provider (company or organization that provides information about you to a CRA) are responsible for correcting inaccurate, incomplete or outdated information in your report under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Disputing Items on Your Report

You can dispute inaccurate, incomplete or outdated items online, but the FTC suggests that you dispute them by mail. Include copies (NOT originals) of documents that support your position. Clearly identify each item you dispute, explain why you dispute it, and request that it be removed or corrected. You may want to enclose a copy of your report with the items circled. Send your letter by certified mail, "return receipt requested," so you can document what the CRA receives. Keep copies of your dispute letter and enclosures.

You could also contact the information provider directly (in writing) to dispute the items. Be sure to include copies (NOT originals) of documents that support your position. If the information is found to be inaccurate, the information provider must update the item with the CRA or have it deleted.