 TITLE: Can I Raise My Credit Score by 100 Points? CONTENT: How to Improve Your Credit Score\n--------------------------------\nThe steps required to improve credit can vary from person to person. While some may apply to you, others may not. However, here are some general guidelines that can help you increase your credit score:\n*   Pay all bills on time.\n*   Get caught up on past-due payments, including charge-offs and collection accounts.\n*   Pay down credit card balances and keep them low relative to their credit limits.\n*   Apply for credit only when necessary.\n*   Avoid closing older, unused credit cards.\n*   Review your credit reports for inaccuracies and dispute them with the credit bureaus.\n*   Ask a family member with good credit to add you as an authorized user on their credit card account.\nAgain, it's difficult to determine exactly how much your credit score will improve with each of these steps, but as you develop these good credit habits, you'll see positive results over time. Also, plan to monitor your credit score regularly to understand how your actions impact your score and to spot potential issues that could threaten your progress. END