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1. To receive a FICO score, a person must have at least one credit account open for six months and at least one that has been active within the last six months. Here are a few tips on how to improve that score:

   · Pay bills on time, and pay at least the minimum amount due.

   · Contact your creditors immediately if you miss a payment, and work out a payment plan (preferably before they report you to the credit bureaus).

   · Do not close credit card accounts in good standing. Someone with no history of credit tends to be seen as a higher risk than someone who has a record of managing debt responsibly.

   · Avoid charging to the limit of one card. It's better to charge less on two cards with room to spare.

   · Ask creditors to raise your credit limit so that you do not appear overextended.

   · Do not open new accounts, because it shows an interest in acquiring new debt, which can lower your score.

   · Aim for a rich mix of credit, with revolving credit (credit cards) and installment debt (car loan, student loan).

   · Correct errors on your credit reports.

   · If you suspect your creditor is not reporting positive information to the bureaus, contact the creditors or the bureaus directly to set the record straight.

   · Do not assume that a high salary guarantees a good credit score.

   · Find out the key factors that are dragging down your score so you can fix them.

   SOURCES: MyFICO.com, Freddie Mac's CreditSmart program

   Here's how you can contact each credit bureau:

   · Equifax: 800-685-1111, http://www.equifax.com/.

   · Experian: 888-397-3742, http://www.experian.com/.

   · TransUnion: 800-888-4213, http://www.transunion.com/.

   Here's where you can request your free credit report:

   · http://www.annualcreditreport.com/.