Seeing your credit scores for the first time can be a real shocker. I can only hope that it's a pleasant surprise and your scores are higher than you thought they would be. Unfortunately in most cases the opposite is true. We tend to forget all the little negative items that we've accumulated in the past. If we forgot to pay them the first time around it's doubtful that we'll remember them a few years down the road. So does this mean you're stuck with bad credit?

The answer is no, your credit score is a constantly changing number. If you come to realize that your score is not where you want it to be you can change it. Many people hear the phrase "changing your credit score" and automatically think it sounds illegal. It certainly isn't, but at the same time it can be a long process. There is no quick fix, no one can simply go in and add a few hundred points, which would definitely be illegal.

The score that you're looking at today is the result of everything you've done up to now. Many times there will be errors on your credit report. You need to identify these problems and dispute them. Having these items removed will boost your scores.

It's just as important to begin adding positive credit items as soon as possible. Start paying your bills on time if you are not already. Bring your credit card balances down to a more manageable level.
By clearing up past problems and focusing on building new positive items you be on the road to a better credit score.