It feels hopeless when you discover that your credit is bad. If you receive the score and it is below 600, things look grim for those looking to buy a car or a house or even a new cell phone. Your credit is very hard to repair once it’s been damaged, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. There are some things you can do to help build your score back up.

Get a Co-Signer

If you are interested in getting a car and you know you can afford the payments, then you may want to see if a parent or sibling can help you by being a co-signer on the car. There is no guarantee that just because they sign for it means you will get approved. Your name on there alone could end up being a problem for the lending institution. But if you do happen to get approved, just being on that application and making those monthly payments will help to restore your credit in a big way.

Check Your Credit Report

Oftentimes there are inaccuracies or false reportings on your credit report. This is good for you if you can catch them. Take your credit report and go through it line by line to find out if there is anything you think shouldn’t be present. Then send a written letter to the credit bureau, with identification enclosed, and tell them you have found inaccuracies and they will notify the companies. If the companies don’t respond in thirty days, the credit bureaus are required to strike it from the record.

This is a good way to get a credit card when you need it.  The  prepaid credit card status makes getting the card easy, and it’s a great way to build up your credit history in order to establish a better credit score.