Your credit report should accurately represent your credit history. From the moment you first apply for a loan or a credit card, you likely have a credit history.

A credit score is a single number that helps lenders and others decide how likely you are to repay your debts. One common credit score is a FICO score. (FICO stands for Fair Isaac & Co. Credit, the company that developed the scoring method.) FICO scores range from 300 to 850 points.

Don't have credit? Would you like to improve your credit? Building good credit doesn't have to be difficult, but it does require time and patience. Follow these tips and you're on your way.

Two of the most important things you can do to maintain a good credit history are protect your credit rating and protect your privacy.

If you would like to improve your credit score, don't worry. No credit score lasts forever - it changes over time, so you can improve it over time.