In today's world, many people have credit problems. Regardless of how dire your current credit situation may be, these tips can set you on the road to recovery.

First, you need to access your current credit score. You can can get your credit score for free through many different websites. With your score in hand, you can start taking steps to correct inaccurate information and raise your score.

Talk to your creditors openly about your debt. Debt collectors can help tremendously in telling you what you need to pay right now, and what can be paid in smaller payments. You can avoid paying penalties and additional interest when you have this information. Realize that certain accounts will be more lenient than others, and adjust your payment schedule accordingly.

Locate all relevant materials pertaining to your credit report. Your report might contain errors or you might have been a victim of identity theft without knowing it. If there is an error on your credit report, contact the credit reporting agencies or the debtor and have the mistake removed.

Do some research and understand the rights you have as a debtor when dealing with collection agencies. 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. While each state may have different laws, it is generally illegal for

a credit agency to threaten, harass or verbally abuse you.

Take control of the situation to ensure you are not being treated improperly.

Keep your credit card debt below 30 percent of your total credit. Using only 30 percent will make it easier for you to make your monthly payments and keep you from getting in over your head. Your checking account and wallet will thank you if you stay around 30 percent.

It's wise to arrange a payment plan with the collection agency or to contact a debt settlement agency that can help you combine all your debts into one monthly payment. More often that not, creditors will work with you to produce satisfactory results. Avoidance just makes the problem last longer. By ignoring your creditors for prolonged periods of time, you are not doing yourself any favors. If you initiate a meeting with the collection services to develop a payment plan, they will be glad to work one out with you. Some collectors will help you by lowering the amount that you need to pay off. Cooperating with debt collectors is always in your best interest, because they will often let you work out a payment plan. If you do not work with the collection agencies, your debt will just continue to increase.

If you use these tips, you will be on the road to recovery. Do the things the article describes and fix your credit yourself.