Rebuilding credit rebuilds your life. Here's how to start over financially after incarceration.
Dealing with Bad or No Credit
Bad or no credit doesn't have to be permanent. With consistent action, you can rebuild your financial life from the ground up.
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Pull your free credit reports from all 3 bureaus
You are entitled to a free credit report from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion every year. Do this first.
Review your reports for errors and dispute them
Errors are common. Dispute any accounts or balances that are wrong — this can quickly raise your score.
Get a free credit monitoring account
Track your score for free with Credit Karma or Credit Sesame. Watch it improve as you take action.
Open a secured credit card to start building credit
A secured card requires a deposit (usually $200) and reports to all 3 bureaus. Use it for small purchases and pay it in full monthly.
Open a Credit Builder Loan
Credit unions and banks like Self.inc offer credit builder loans specifically designed to build credit from zero.
Pay ALL bills on time — even small ones
Payment history is 35% of your credit score. Set up auto-pay or calendar reminders so you never miss a payment.
Keep credit card balances below 30% of your limit
Credit utilization is 30% of your score. If your limit is $500, keep your balance below $150.
Work with a nonprofit credit counselor for debt help
NFCC member agencies offer free or low-cost credit counseling and can help you negotiate with creditors.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." — Philippians 4:13