turquoise25

@phatgear: Contact the creditor and see why it went to your credit report if you were paying it on time.

@TANYIACM10: Pay the creditor, and ask them to remove it from your report OR mark as PAID IN FULL.

• Get your credit reports from all three bureaus. http://www.ftc.gov/freereports
• Check those reports carefully; any discrepancies, contact bureau and fix them.
• If any debts, pay them.
• Apply for a credit card with a good interest rate and no annual fee. (Don't over apply for credit; hard inquiries stay on your report for two years).
• Pay the balance IN FULL, EVERY MONTH (will help avoid interest)

If you cannot afford to pay it in full, at least pay the minimum monthly payment, and whatever else you can spare Hope these tips help.

As a side note: if you choose not to pay, it will not only hurt your credit because it'll be on your reports, but the creditor can sue you and win a judgement.

As hardeight said, a credit card will help you. This is how I manage mine (I have three): for my bank and store issued credit card, I take the money I already have and use credit to pay for the things I want/need. Then I go and make an payment with the cash. I am never late, and I pay in full to avoid interest charges. This is how I have built up my credit score. Do not fall into the trap of spending what you do not have. It'll be **** near impossible to get out. 

I hate to take this role, but it's not the lenders that are evil. It is us, the consumer, that is ignorant to the terms of the contract. Always read the contract before signing.  With that being said, I have borrowed from payday lenders, and luckily didn't get caught up like @Bballmom64. How I got out of the cycle of borrowing: I curbed my spending. If I had to go w/out something, I did it. I do hope you take @sdsumarisa's advice, if you can. @AppleRules: Idk about them being latched onto a bank account. Mine weren't. I had to pay cash. I wouldn't have signed if it wanted to direct debit. Goodness no!

Contact the company that you paid the debt to.

From what I've read on here, yes. As long as the issuer reports to the credit bureu(s), and you keep your account in good standing.

@juba0988: Best advice: if you've bills you cannot pay, please, PLEASE talk to the doctor or whomever the medical bills are from. Tell them you will pay $X amount each month, AND MAKE GOOD ON THAT. Do NOT miss a payment. DO keep up with payments, and call them ever so often to check your balance and make sure they're receiving your payments. *Source: Experience!  

I just applied and was accepted. I cannot believe this. I thought that I would never get to the point to where I have a credit card. I have accounts with places like Fingerhut, but an actual credit card I can use...awesome.