Many companies and programs are offering fast credit report tips, however they often come with a hefty price tag. There are many things the average consumer can do to make improvements without the help of a professional. If you have the time and a some organizational skills, and a do-it-yourself attitude, you can increase your credit score rather quickly. In some cases the results can be a couple days, but within 30 days significant improvements can be made.

The first step is to access a copy of your credit report and review it for errors. Seventy-five percent of credit reports include inaccurate information. One in four reports include errors that actually hurt you in a negative way, so pay particular attention to loans that you never took out, credit cards that should have been closed years ago, and late payments on accounts that you’ve always been on time for. If there is something as serious as a bankruptcy filing that does not belong to you, that is something that would take immediate priority, as you might be a victim of identity theft.

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