 TITLE: These Tips Can Help You Improve Your Credit CONTENT: How Long Does It Take to Improve Credit?\n----------------------------------------\nImproving credit won't happen overnight. Since credit history length is a crucial part of the equation, only consistently positive credit behavior will have a major impact. Negative information stays on your credit report for a long time—seven years for late and missed payments, for instance. The effect of these on your score will become less potent over time, but it will take regular positive information to balance it out and improve your score.\nKnow, too, that going to a credit repair company will not help improve credit scores. A credit repair company can't have accurate credit information taken off your report, even if it's hurting your scores. Everything one of these companies can do is possible to do on your own at no cost. You could end up paying hundreds to thousands of dollars for this unnecessary service.\nThe Credit Repair Organizations Act is a federal law that prohibits credit repair companies from taking payment from a consumer until the promised service has been provided. It also requires companies to give consumers a written contract explaining the services it will offer and the terms and conditions of payment. You have three days to withdraw from the contract. If you work with a credit repair company—which experts generally caution against—make sure you receive and understand the contract and make sure the company abides by it. END