Credit scores, how to improve!

jo41

Can anyone help me out with credit scores and how to improve them?
I hope I'm posting in the right place and if not perhaps someone can point me in the right direction.
I started the very addictive payment a day in August 2008 and at the same time subscribed to a multiple credit report agency. Since making the payment a day I have managed to clear a credit card, a store card, a catalougue and an overdraft. My credit score however is not looking any healthier. Does anyone know how long it takes for the score to get better? Also I have read on some posts that the score doesn't really make any difference to anything but I'm not sure about that either.
Thank you in advance for any help or advice.
Jo

jo41

Just bumping this up for any help!

backfromthebrink

I wouldnt mind having this info too

beer_tins

Well it's true that the "score" doesn't really matter. Lenders search the reports using their own criteria. The reoports go back 7 years (I think), but the last 2 years are generally the most important. Other things that affect the report and the (fairly meaningless IMO) score are missed payments, available credit, current level of debt etc. etc. There's not really a hard and fast rule.

Miss_Marple_2

If you have cleared them, have you closed them ?

If you have a number of open accounts, this can count against you, so make sure you close any accounts that you won't be using again

jo41

I have closed them but some of them still don't show as closed. What I'm wondering as well is does the score gradually creep up or will it just happen after a few months of good behaviour?
Thanks for the replies.