The best way is to just re-pay a couple of loans. I settled debt last year and my credit is back approaching 700. I'm paying a mortgage and car payment and, of course, no credit cards. It just takes time. The credit repair route doesn't work all that well. The goal is to dispute everything on your report but the Credit agencies can deem your letter frivilous and not even take action. Unfortunately the whole credit reporting structure is a scheme that is stacked against working people in favor of lenders. The best bet is really to just pay loans back - car loan, retail credit card etc. both are easy to get. Open it, pay it for a few months, pay it off, close it. Open something else and do the same. Befor you know it you'll be back in business 1 year you'll be in good shape; 2 years you're gtg.