I read this article via moneycentral.msn.com on how getting a secured credit card will hasten to improve your credit score.

If you filed for bankruptcy or have a low credit score, it's gonna be so hard for you to get an unsecured regular credit card and relying solely on cash is not really your best option especially if you want to improve your beacon score.

Getting a secured credit card (companies like Hometrust visa and Capital One offers secured credit cards) is your best option to get a better credit score. Use no more than 30% of your credit limit and make sure you pay your bills on time to ensure a good credit rating. Remember, companies offering secured credit cards periodically report to the credit bureaus. So maxing out your limit will not reflect good on you. Secured credit cards might offer lower credit limits that regular credit cards, but this is for the best. When you can afford it, you can increase your credit limit by adding more collateral or deposit to your card.