According to both the Bankruptcy Code and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), information on a Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy can remain on your credit profile for 10 years from the commencement of the case. But, the devastating effects don't have to last forever, and you can immediately start rebuilding your credit by following these tips:

Clean Up Your Credit Reports

Many people find that when their Chapter 7 bankruptcies discharge, their credit reports still show several, if not all, accounts as open and overdue instead of being closed with the obligation wiped out as part of the bankruptcy. Contacting the credit bureaus and insisting that those accounts be properly reported as "included in bankruptcy" will help lessen the damage by a surprising amount. See "How to Raise Your Credit Score" for more information on cleaning up your credit reports.

Rebuilding Your Credit

Most people know that getting a secured credit card (with a typical credit line of $200 to $500) will help raise your credit score and rebuild your credit provided that you don't charge more than about 30% of your credit limit, and you make the payments on time each month. But did you know that getting a mortgage or a home equity loan (second mortgage) also helps rebuild your credit?

If you are a first-time buyer, there are government incentives to help you buy a home in just the right neighborhood. If you are already a homeowner, a home equity loan or line of credit can be used to remodel your kitchen or make other home improvements that will help improve the curb appeal of your home. And, if you currently have an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM), you may want to consider mortgage refinancing to a fixed mortgage rate to avoid the next interest hike and possibly cash out on some of your home equity for home improvements or loan consolidation. Believe it or not, a mortgage refinance can also help you rebuild your credit and raise your FICO scores.