·         If you have missed payments, get current and stay current. The longer you pay your bills on time, the better your BEACON®, FICO® and EMPIRICA® score.

·         If you are having trouble making ends meet, contact your creditors or see a legitimate credit counselor. This won't improve your BEACON®, FICO® and EMPIRICA® score immediately, but if you can begin to manage your credit and pay on time, your score will improve.

·         Keep balances low on credit cards and other revolving credit. High outstanding debt can affect a BEACON®, FICO® and EMPIRICA® score.

·         Pay off debt rather than move it around. The most effective way to improve your BEACON®, FICO® and EMPIRICA® score in this area is by paying down your revolving credit.

·         Re-establish your credit history if you have had problems. Opening new accounts responsibly and paying them on time will raise your BEACON®, FICO® and EMPIRICA® score in the long term.

·         Note that it's OK to request and check your own credit report. This won't affect your BEACON®, FICO® and EMPIRICA® score, as long as you order your credit report directly from the credit reporting agency or through an organization authorized to provide credit reports to consumers.

·         Apply for and open new credit accounts only as needed. Don't open accounts just to have a better credit mix - it probably won't raise your BEACON®, FICO® and EMPIRICA® score.

·         Have credit cards but manage them responsibly. In general, having credit cards and installment loans (and making timely payments) may improve your BEACON®, FICO® and EMPIRICA® score. Someone with no credit cards, for example, tends to be higher-risk than someone who has managed credit cards responsibly.

·         Do your rate shopping for a loan within a focused period of time. BEACON®, FICO® and EMPIRICA® scores distinguish between a search for a mortgage or auto loan (where it is customary to shop for the best rate), and a search for many new credit lines.