People spend a lot of time trying to do all the things that are said to increase your credit score.
Especially after filing for chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy.
There are a lot of things you can do to improve your credit score no matter what your current score is.
However for some people in some situations it is just as important to know what things you may be doing that can lower your credit score.
This 'don't' list is just as important to improving your credit score.
Don't take advantage of a store card offering "no finance charges for a full year" - In theory this is a great offer, but not for someone trying to rebuild their credit.
It is typical for people to make large purchases on store cards when they are offering a no interest special.
The problem is that if the debt sits on the card throughout the year while you pay it off it is counting against your debt to credit ratio.
Additionally store cards don't start with a large credit limit so you are using most of your available credit on the card.
Don't open several cards in an attempt to increase your debt to credit ratio - The more credit you have available to you with very little debt is beneficial to your credit score.
However this does not mean you should go out and open 10 credit cards at one time.
Every time you open a card it has a small negative effect on your credit score.
So doing several in a short time is going to have a larger effect.
Don't transfer debt to a new card and then close the old card - If you have the opportunity to move debt from a credit card with a high interest rate to one with a low interest rate you should definitely do it.
However if the new card has a lower credit limit it would not be wise to turn around a close the old card after the transfer has been made.
This will have a negative effect on your debt to credit ratio.
Don't make light of traffic violations, parking tickets and library fines - An old parking ticket or your unpaid library fines may not seem like a big deal but if you ignore them for too long there is a chance that you will be sent to collections for what you owe.
No matter how small the debt, If you go to collections you will have a black mark on your credit report that will stay there for 7 years.
These tips combined with all the tips for things you should be doing will increase your credit score in no time.