How to Help Yourself Repair Your Credit

As a credit repair company, we want your business. We believe that our process results in faster improvement and better results for our customers than if they took a strictly DIY approach to their credit repair. On the other hand, we charge for our services and we understand that many people struggling with credit repair are also struggling with money. So, we have put together a guide to help you raise your credit score.

Examine your credit report, regularly.

Your credit report is a list of positive and negative information about your credit utilization and payment history. You should be examining your credit report regularly to ensure that the information contained in it is accurate.

What is a credit report?

While everyone refers to it as a credit report, there are actually three different credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. Each of these companies compiles their own reports of your credit and provides a credit score for you, which creditors and other companies get when they “run” or “pull” your credit score.

How can I get a free copy of my credit report?

Each of the three companies is required to provide you a free credit report, at your request, once a year. In addition, if a company uses your credit score to take an adverse action against you, such as denying your application for credit, turning you down for a job, or turning you down for insurance, you can submit a written request for a credit report within 60 days of the adverse action. In addition, many credit cards and other consumer services over free credit monitoring and can supply free credit reports, often on a monthly basis.

What do I look for on my credit report?

You are looking for errors. Most people know to look for items that do not belong to them at all, but credit reporting agencies are held to an extremely high standard. You are not just looking for items that do not belong to you, but to items that contain any possible discrepancies. The reporting agency is then required to contact the creditor, who carries the burden of proving the negative item. If they cannot substantiate the negative report, it should be removed.

How do I notify the credit reporting agency of a discrepancy?

Inform the credit reporting agency (or agencies), in writing, of the information you think is inaccurate, including any documentation to support your claim. If you have fraudulent items on your credit report, you may need to make a police report regarding identity theft to support your claims. Send your letter by certified mail and request a return receipt so that you can prove the agency received your letter.

Do credit reporting companies have to review all discrepancies?

No. If you send in a discrepancy complaint that seems frivolous, they do not have to investigate the claim. However, for legitimate discrepancies they have 30 days to investigate the complaint and must change or delete items that are erroneous.