Your credit score is an all-important number, especially if you’re in the market to buy a house, a new car or even insurance. The number is an analysis of your credit history and will sit on a scale between 300 and 850.

700 and above is considered good. To get in that range, it’s important to make sure you’re paying your bills on time.

There’s a delicate balance with how much debt you carry. You don’t want too much of it, but don’t shy away from using credit either. Proving that you can pay off debt can help improve your score. Use the cards you have and make those payments. Payment history makes up about 35 percent of your credit score. Keep in mind, every time you apply for a credit card, you’ll get a notch on your credit history.

Another tip, check your credit reports for mistakes. You’re entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies every year. You can sign up on websites like Annual Credit Report. Aim to get a report once every four months so you can monitor them throughout the year. If you find any mistakes, report them to the credit agency and follow up.

If there’s a mistake you haven’t been able to get fixed, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

If you have bad credit, a credit repair service can do it for you. But, there are no secret tricks. There’s nothing they can do legally that you can’t do yourself.

Warning Signs of Credit Repair Company Scams

  • Companies that want you to pay for credit repair services before they provide any services. Credit repair companies cannot require you to pay until they have completed the services they have promised.
  • Companies that do not tell you your legal rights and what you can do for yourself for free.
  • Companies that recommend that you not contact a credit reporting company directly.
  • Companies that advise you to dispute accurate information in your credit report or take any action that seems illegal, like creating a new credit identity. If you follow illegal advice and commit fraud, you may be subject to prosecution.
  • Source: Federal Trade Commission