Now that the economy has taken a downturn, even more people are struggling to maintain good credit. Fixing your credit takes time, but it is entirely possible if you use the tips outlined here.

Obtaining your credit report should be the first step. There are many sites where you can get this information for a fee. Free sites also exist. Once you receive your reports, peruse it and note any errors or omissions.

Ask your creditors what bills can be paid later or in installments. Some things need to be paid immediately, while others can wait. You can focus on bills that need to be paid immediately if you are able to pay other accounts off a little at a time.

It is essential that you have a copy of your report to find mistakes. Errors happen and when you find them, make sure you alert the proper people so that they can be fixed.

It is necessary to know your rights about unpaid debt and what steps can be taken for collecting it from you. For example, it's illegal for collection agencies to verbally threaten a person over the phone, and you cannot go to prison for missing payments. Some states have different laws than others, but most of them prohibit threats and verbal abuse. You should become your own advocate by knowing your rights and ensuring that they are upheld throughout the duration of your dealings with collection agencies.

Your credit card balances should be kept under 30 percent. Making payments isn't too hard when there isn't too much on the card. If your credit utilization is over 30 percent, this can signal that you not be able to pay it all back, which can lower your credit score.

If you have past-due debts that have been reported to a collection agency, make contact with them, and offer to do what you can to work with them. If you stay in communication with the collection agencies, they are more willing to help you and perhaps offer a payment plan. If you ignore the collection calls, you will get nowhere. You will still owe the money, and you will find that they may be less willing to work with you. Collection agencies can work with your current situation, and many are able and willing to take less than you owe, so that you can manage the payments. When debt collectors start calling you, it is already too late to fix some problems. Instead of avoiding calls or making up excuses, try to work with collectors to resolve your debt issues. Collection agencies often allow customers to make repayment plans that minimize the burden on the customer. Whatever you do, you must confront your problem head on. Do not try to avoid the problem, because your debt will not go away. When you are experiencing economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances, many agencies are willing to work with you in various ways to avoid scarring your credit rating with past due bills.

Get your credit fixed now! You can start repairing your credit quickly by making use of these suggestions.