And make sure to make all future payments on time. Some of the other quick fixes that people try usually don't work, says Tom Quinn, Fair, Isaac's director of consumer initiatives. The models looks at how you use the credit you've got, rather than the amount you have available. Individual lenders, however, might feel more comfortable if you reduced the amount of open credit you have available. Paying off one delinquent bill won't raise your score by very much if your record is littered with other credit blemishes.
Credit scores consider patterns of behavior.
You have to show yourself creditworthy over time. Making all your minimum payments won't make you look good if your cards are maxed out or anywhere close to it. Credit scores look at how much of your available credit you've used. When you're close to the line you look out of control. Opening new, debt-free cards won't make you look better, if your other cards are maxed out.