Make sure you understand the basics of how credit works. Your credit reports are maintained by three major credit bureaus—Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.
You can check your credit report for free annually with each major credit bureau. As you review your report, look for any negative or inaccurate information that could be screwing up your credit.
ExtraCredit does more than show you your credit scores. Have you recently started paying rent or utilities? Build It will add them as new tradelines with all three credit bureaus.
If you have a friend or family member willing to add you as an authorized user on their credit card, you can piggyback off their credit card activity to help establish your credit.