FICO Rules, but Other Options Remain

The "amounts owed" on credit cards count for another 30 percent of the FICO score. The lower the debt as a percentage of the credit limit, the better, said Fair Isaac spokesman Craig Watts. Experts recommend that consumers keep the balance on cards at no more than 35 percent of their credit line.

The other pieces of the score are length of credit history, new credit and types of credit used.

· Reports: The credit report is a separate document, compiled by credit bureaus based on information from your creditors. It shows all loans or credit accounts in your name, the limit on the cards and payment history. It also includes a record of everyone who has made an inquiry on your file within a certain period of time.

Federal law entitles everyone to a free report every 12 months from each of the major credit bureaus. Check it to make sure the information is correct.

To get a free report from any or all of the bureaus, go to http://www.annualcreditreport.com , a Web site run by the three firms. Or call 877-322-8228 and follow the prompts. Some people want to see all three reports before looking for a mortgage.

Maryland residents can get a second free report from each bureau per year, from the same Web site.

You can also get a free credit report and score from one or all of the three bureaus if you sign up to try services that monitor your reports. But after a certain period of free use, often only 30 days, those services carry a monthly fee.

The bureaus also sell reports. Fair Isaac's Web site, http://www.MyFICO.com , sells the three FICO scores and credit reports for about $48.

· Concerns: Critics have said for years that some credit card companies don't report credit limits, thus unfairly reducing scores. A South Carolina consumer has filed class-action lawsuits against the three bureaus, charging that they unfairly allow this practice. But no federal law requires lenders to report data to any bureau. They only must strive to be accurate.

Fair Isaac offers general tips on improving scores, such as paying off debt rather than moving it around, and not opening new credit card accounts that you don't need.