Late Credit Card Payments and Large Balances Late credit card payments not only burden you with additional surcharges and fees, but it can also put a black eye on your credit history. According to credit report experts, poor payment history accounts for 35% of your total credit score, and even a single late payment can quikcly chop-off 100 points from your score. Devise A Well-Crafted Vusiness Plan When building your business, also prepare a coherent, well-crafteed business plan, which includes all the essential financial details, including the required sections and sub-sections. Write down and dtermine what your long-term an dhsort-term plans are, as well as get allt he necessary licenses, permits and papers for legally operating your business. Always make it a habit to pay on time, and according to most credit experts, paying your bills on time does wonders in getting a handsome credit score. While most creditors won t report late payments made at 30 days, once it reaches 60 to 90 days, a borrower will certainly get reported. If you ve made late payments before, relax and don t worry, since over time those infractions will slowly diminish, and you ll get back your old credit score. Bankruptcy Lowers Credit Scores Whenever a person files for bankruptcy, their credit score will automatically get a 200-point deduction, and this greatly affects their chances of availing for different loans. If a person did not have a satisfactory credit score before bankruptcy, he or she will definitely have a tough time rebuilding their credit score, and rehabilitating their financial base within a reasonable period of time. The information submitted by your creditors to these credit reporting bureaus include date of account opening, type of accounts, payment history for each account, late payments, unpaid child support, overdrawn checks, or any foreclosures, suits, wage attachments, liens and bankruptcies that are derived from federal and state agencies. In sending disputes by mail, find the agency s official mailing address, which is usually located near the end of your report, and include your name and address, report number, as well as the account numbers you re disputing. Once you receive a copy of your credit report from any agency, the agency is normally given 45 days to send the results of your dispute.