Pay bills on-time – a 30 day late notice on your credit report is for a payment posted 30+ days after the due date.  A late payment may incur late fees, but cannot be reported to the credit agencies unless it is over 30 days late. Maintain your credit balance at 50% or less of the available balance if possible Maintain credit – when you pay off a balance, don’t close the card.  It actually helps your score to have open credit.  You are being judged that you are using credit wisely.  If you close the account, there is nothing to which you can be judged.