Bad consumer credit ratings don't appear overnight, so don't expect to fix them overnight, said one credit counseling agency.

But that doesn't mean people shouldn't try.

Kristen Garrett, a spokeswoman for Advantage Credit Counseling Service, said now is the time for people to take steps toward good credit, even if they aren't looking for a loan.

Nationally, a lack of credit among banks and a tightening of consumer and business credit limits caused Congress last week to pass a massive financial rescue package.

This nationwide financial crisis has made the importance of credit scores all the more apparent.

Where a credit score of 720 is good, 760 is great. And, those who have a score of 660 are required to seek counseling through an agency such as Advantage when applying for a loan through a federal program.

But, knowing your credit score isn't necessary, Garrett said.

"I don't think you need to purchase your credit score unless you are in the market for a loan," she said.

She does recommend, however, that consumers check their credit report periodically. By law, consumers once each year can get a copy of their credit report from each of the credit reporting agencies. However, there is a cost for getting a credit score. That cost is $14.95 a month that gets the subscriber a credit score, plus monthly credit monitoring.

Looking at a credit report largely indicates the credit score range. Garrett said the formula to calculate the score is too complicated to pinpoint a score, though.

"It's impossible to look at your report and guess your credit score," she said.

Joe Black, a mortgage consultant in Saxonburg with Union National Mortgage Company, tells consumers several different things impact their score:

• Payment history — Debt payments should be made on time in full.

• Credit balance — The amount of debt should be less than 30 percent of the available credit limit.

• Type of credit — A mixture of debt from auto loans, credit cards and mortgage is best.

• Inquiries — How many companies have requested the credit report within six months.

Garrett said there are ways to improve credit scores for those without the best credit history. For example, she said, make sure you pay bills on time and try not to use credit if unnecessary.

"There's a big misconception out there that you should cancel credit cards you're not using," she said. That decreases the available credit, she said, which can increase the debt-to-availability ratio to a higher than ideal percentage.

"If you don't use it, cut it up, throw it in a drawer. Don't cancel it," she said.

And, people looking for more help can turn to a nonprofit consumer credit counseling agency.