The Financial Post reports in its Saturday edition that a credit score is a number between 300 and 900 and it is based on specific information contained in your credit report. Guest columnist Sandra Fry writes that it will usually have two credit reports: one from Equifax and the other from Transunion. Each can contain slightly different information depending on how and to which company your creditors report the information. The score you are assigned changes based on how you are using the credit that has already been granted to you and it helps lenders decide the likelihood that you will repay any further credit they give you. Want to improve your score? Focus on improving how you manage the credit you already have. Get a free copy of each of your credit reports to ensure they are accurate. No one can improve your credit score for you, so, as tempting as it is, avoid expensive loans, high-fee programs and promises of quick action. Stick with federally regulated banks, credit unions or credit-card companies when applying for a secured credit card. Private companies offer them, too, under license to use the Visa and Mastercard systems and logos, but it can be much harder to settle disputes with less regulated companies.