If you want to improve your credit score, you might think the only option is to remove negative items from your credit report. But there is another effective strategy: adding positive accounts.
New positive accounts can boost your credit score faster than waiting for negative marks to age off. Each new account gives you a fresh opportunity to show on-time payments and responsible use of credit. The more positive data you have, the stronger your credit profile looks to lenders.
The best part? You do not need to sit on the sidelines hoping your credit score improves. You can take action today to add positive credit and start moving in the right direction.
Review Your Credit Report First
Before adding new positive accounts, check your credit reports for accuracy. Make sure all your current positive accounts—like credit cards, loans, and other credit lines—are being reported correctly to all three credit bureaus.
Sometimes lenders fail to report an account or send incomplete information. If a positive account is missing or showing incorrect details, contact the lender or credit bureau to request an update. Having an accurate credit report gives you the best starting point before adding new accounts to help your credit score.
8 Powerful Ways to Add Positive Accounts to Your Credit Report
You can build your credit score faster by adding new positive accounts. The options below can give your credit report the boost it needs.
1. Open a Secured Credit Card
A secured credit card is one of the easiest ways to start building credit, especially if you have little or no credit history. You provide a refundable deposit, which becomes your credit limit. Then you use the card just like a regular credit card.
Your payments and account activity are reported to the credit bureaus. This gives you a steady stream of positive data—as long as you pay on time and keep your balance low.
Many major banks and fintech companies offer secured credit cards designed to help build credit. Shop around to find one with no annual fee and automatic upgrades to unsecured cards when your credit improves.
See also: Best Secured Credit Cards of 2025
2. Use a Credit Builder Loan or Credit Builder Card
Credit builder loans and credit builder cards are designed specifically to help you build credit. Both are excellent tools if you are starting from scratch or trying to rebuild.
Credit builder loans work by holding the loan amount in a locked savings account. You make fixed monthly payments, and when the loan is paid off, the funds are released to you. Throughout the process, your on-time payments are reported to the credit bureaus.
Credit builder cards function like secured credit cards but are often offered by fintech companies with additional credit tracking tools. Popular options include:
- Self Credit Builder Loan & Self Credit Card
- Chime Credit Builder Card
- Current Build Card
- Varo Believe Card
These tools make it easy to establish a consistent positive payment history and improve your credit score.
See also: Best Credit Builder Loans of 2025
3. Become an Authorized User on Someone’s Credit Card
Becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit card is a proven way to help your credit score. The primary cardholder adds you to their account, and their positive payment history is reported on your credit report.
You do not need to use the card or even have access to it. What matters is that the account has a long history of on-time payments and low credit utilization.
Talk to a trusted friend or family member with excellent credit. If they are willing to add you as an authorized user, it could give your credit report a quick and meaningful boost.
4. Add Utility, Phone, and Streaming Payments with Experian Boost
Experian Boost is a free service that allows you to add eligible utility, phone, and streaming service payments to your Experian credit report. Many consumers see an immediate increase in their credit score after using it.
To use Experian Boost, link your bank account and select the payments you want to add. Experian will scan for qualifying payments and include them on your credit report.
This service is particularly helpful if you are building credit for the first time or if you have few traditional credit accounts.
5. Use UltraFICO to Link Bank Data and Boost Your Score
UltraFICO is a newer scoring option that lets you enhance your credit score by linking your bank account data. It looks at your account balance history, length of account history, and bank activity.
UltraFICO works with the FICO 8 UltraFICO scoring model and is optional. You choose whether to share your bank data. This can help you qualify for credit if your credit report is thin but you have responsible banking habits.
While UltraFICO is not yet used by all lenders, it is a valuable option to explore—especially if you want every possible edge when applying for credit.
6. Report Rent Payments to the Credit Bureaus
Rent payments are not automatically included on your credit report, but you can add them with a rent reporting service. These services report your rent payments to one or more of the major credit bureaus.
Top rent reporting options include:
Some banks and property management companies also offer rent reporting, sometimes for free. Ask your landlord or property manager if this is available.
Adding rent payments can be a powerful way to build positive credit, especially if you have been paying on time consistently.
7. Use Buy Now, Pay Later Services That Report Positive Payments
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services can now help your credit—if you choose the right ones. Some BNPL providers report positive payment history to credit bureaus.
Examples of BNPL services that may report include:
Not all BNPL services report yet, and some only report late payments. Before using BNPL to build credit, check the provider’s credit reporting policy and make sure you can make all payments on time.
Used carefully, BNPL can add another stream of positive credit data to your credit report.
8. Take Out a Small Personal Loan and Pay It Responsibly
A small personal loan, used strategically, can also help you build credit. The key is to choose a loan with affordable monthly payments and pay it off as agreed.
Many online lenders and credit unions offer personal loans to consumers who want to build or rebuild credit. Before taking out a loan, check whether the lender reports to all three credit bureaus.
If you make consistent, on-time payments, the loan will add positive history to your credit report and strengthen your credit score.
How to Make Sure Positive Accounts Are Reported Correctly
Once you add new positive accounts, it is important to verify that they appear on your credit report and are being reported accurately.
- Ask your creditors to report your accounts: Before opening a new account, confirm that the creditor reports to all three major credit bureaus. If they do not, that account will not help your credit score.
- Follow up with credit bureaus if something is missing: After a few months, check your credit reports. If an account is missing or reported incorrectly, contact the creditor first. If that does not resolve the issue, file a dispute with the credit bureau to request a correction.
- Track your credit reports regularly: Review your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion at least once a year. This helps you spot errors early and ensures your positive credit activity is being reported as expected.
What You Can’t Add to Your Credit Report
Not every payment you make can help your credit score. Here is what you should know.
- Payments that won’t count: Payments for insurance, medical bills, gym memberships, or regular household bills are not reported to credit bureaus unless they go to collections. Making these payments on time is good for your finances, but they will not build your credit score.
- Why self-reporting is not possible (except via certain services): You cannot directly self-report payments to credit bureaus. Only approved data furnishers, such as banks, credit card issuers, and certain verified services, can report payment history. Experian Boost and rent reporting services are the main exceptions that allow consumer-initiated reporting.
- Common myths about adding positive credit: Some consumers believe they can send proof of payment or account history directly to credit bureaus to improve their credit score. This is not allowed. The only way to add positive accounts is through lenders or approved third-party services that are set up to report the data.
Final Thoughts
Adding positive accounts to your credit report is one of the best ways to build a stronger credit score. With options like secured credit cards, credit builder loans, rent reporting, and even BNPL services, there are more tools than ever to help you take action.
Start by choosing one or two methods that fit your financial situation. The sooner you add new positive accounts, the sooner you can see results in your credit profile.
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