Credit score

I was retrenched about 2years ago and I fell behind with my payments as I had no income.<br> I was employed last year September and requested my credit report to settle all my accounts.<br> It did take some time and about 3 months ago I paid up all my accounts in cash. <br> I had no defaults or judgements on my name, however I'm not happy as to how my credit score was affected.<br> <br> I had to fight with transunion to update my details with paid up letters and lots of phone calls.<br> <br> My credit points starting was 427 and today it's at 557 and I've been working hard to increase them.<br> <br> However I can't even get a mr price account to help me increase my points as I get a car allowance and need to buy myself a company car.<br> <br> No bank will help me even with my paid up and retrenchment letter.<br> I get told to open a retail or cell phone account but how do I do that if no one will accept me.<br> <br> I'm frustrated as I did the right thing by paying off all my accounts only to be told you don't qualify.<br> <br> Please I need help with increasing my credit record. One would expect after paying so much money that your credit status would be fair to good not poor. <br> <br>