Also look out for any payment trends that may raise red flags among creditors, such as shifting from paying full each month, to only making minimum payments. If you have been making on-time payments to suppliers and creditors, this should be fully reflected in your profile. Company Profile When evaluating your company profile, verify the details for accuracy, such as business name and length of doing business, address, telephone number and industry type. A credit score is generally based on a credit report that s obtained from the major credit bureaus. According to the US Faire Credit Reporting Act, a person can get a free copy of their credit report from the major credit bureaus, namely TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. The credit report is provided at no cost, and can be requested every 12 months. Don t get your credit report from third-party agencies, because chances are you could be disputing errors or flaws that don t even exist. According to the US Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the major credit agencies are responsible for correcting or reducing any flaws and errors in their credit reports. By arranging for an automatic payment system for all your bills and loans, you won t need to scamper to the bank each time you forgot to pay the utility bill, or the credit card loan. Most creditors often set up an automatic payment system, which deducts a specified amount from your checking account. 5 Ways to Protect A Good Credit Score Credit has been tough to obtain these days, especially with a moribund real estate industry, and a lingering recession that s continuing to do a lot of damage to investor and consumer confidence. Whether you want to buy a new home or car, or wish to avail of a personal or student loan, it pays to have a good credit score. Today, a number of accredited credit bureaus gather and sell credit information, which are often stored in large databases, where prospective lenders, employers, insurers, government agencies, courts, and even landlords can easily open up and take a look at their client s files. An individual can also get his or her own credit report from major credit agencies like Experian, Equifax, TransUnion and other small companies that serve regional or local markets.