With today's economy, there are many people who are in desperate need of improved credit. No matter how poor your credit, if you follow these steps, you will be able to repair your score.

The first thing is to access your score. There are a variety of sites that you can do this; some are even free. Understanding your position in the credit world is the first step to financial redemption.

Determine which bills must be paid immediately, and which ones may be delayed for a brief period of time. By learning which actions will incur interest penalties and fees, you can arrange your payment schedule accordingly. The first accounts that you should focus on paying off are the ones that don't allow late payments.

You should document anything that looks unusual or unexpected on your credit score report. You will be able to identify mistakes and possible security issues when you have pulled all of your credit information together. Managing your credibility goes a long way toward protecting your credit rating.

As with anything, be sure that you know your rights when it comes to collection agencies. You will not be sent to jail for failing paying your bills and it is not right for anyone to threaten you with this. Laws vary by state, and you should be familiar with the ones that apply to you. Debt collectors are not allowed to verbally abuse you, and you should not stand for it.

You credit card balances should be no more than 30 percent of your credit limit. You should know that making payments will be easier if you keep your balances low.

It is important to make good on all your obligations, especially credit card debt. Many debt collectors will help you to come up with a plan that enables you to do this. If you give them the cold shoulder, they will keep calling. When you take the time to speak to debt collectors, the chances are greater that they will go easier on you. Sometimes, they'll even take a smaller sum. For instance, most creditors will work with you to establish a payment plan.

By following the guidelines outlined above, you can start to improve your poor credit score. While you might be tempted to pick and choose, the suggestions presented here are all proven ways to improve your score as quickly as possible.