How can I improve my credit score?

From FinancialPlanning

Your credit score is based on a number of factors and improving any of them may improve your credit score.

Factors that Affect Your Credit Score

1. Payment History - pay your bills on time, because late payments hurt your credit score. This is the most important factor in your score.

2. Total Balance Due - the more you owe, relative to your total credit limit, the lower your credit score. Paying down a large credit card balance should improve your credit score.

3. Length of Credit History - though a minor factor relative to the two above, the passage of time (without credit-harming events) can improve your credit score. This is especially true if you have any late payments, which remain in your credit history for seven years.

4. Recent Requests for Credit - If you keep applying for new credit cards, your credit score may be lowered.

5. Types of Credit - This is described as the least-important factor, but apparently having multiple types of credit with good payment histories (credit cards, mortgage, auto loan) can improve your credit score slightly.

6. Errors - If you find errors on your credit report, be sure to correct them by contacting each of the credit-reporting companies, so that you are scored correctly. Checking for errors is one reason to request a free copy of your credit report periodically.