So let’s assume that those previous problems are behind you, you understand the value of making payments on time, and that you now want to rebuild your credit so that your credit score will also be increased. Keep in mind that this is a PROCESS and it does not happen overnight. In reality, it will take a minimum of several months of consistently good actions on your part, but that is also part of how your credit score is derived, by looking at your credit HISTORY and seeing a consistently good record. And of course, it takes time to create that history.
Another very important step that many people forget or do not take time to do is to get a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies, which are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Each of them keeps a credit report on you, and since they do not share data between them, each very likely has a different view of you from a credit perspective. Get your credit reports and go over them with a fine tooth comb looking for inaccurate information. The reality is that the majority of consumer credit reports contain errors, and those errors do not get corrected automatically. In fact, they NEVER get corrected unless YOU initiate the action to get it corrected.
Another reason for going over your credit reports is to look for accounts that do not belong to you. The crime of identity theft is the fastest growing crime of this century, and you could be a victim of identity theft and not even know about it, although this would probably be reflected in your credit reports by listing accounts that you do not know about.