Need to Repair your Credit? 5 easy steps
Five Easy Steps to Repairing Your Credit
Have you damaged your credit rating, and now need to repair it?
It can be a long, tedious process, if you aren't sure of exactly
what to do. And if you decide to work with an agency that
specializes in this type of work, you're paying someone to do
work that you can do yourself, for free. This article will
discuss what options you can take to repair your credit,
yourself, without having to pay a penny to do it.
If after the walk through in this article, you are still having
problems with your credit repair, it is well advised that you
talk to an experienced lawyer in this area. There may be no
other way to get some unauthorized information off your report -
but let's try these simple steps, first!
1. Credit Repair: Get Copies of Your Credit Reports
Send a letter to each of the major credit reporting agencies
(TransUnion, Equifax, CSC, Innovax, and Experian), asking them
for a copy of your credit records. Some states require that you
send along a copy of a credit denial letter with this letter, or
else they will levy a charge (somewhere between $3-10). If you
are serious about trying to repair your credit, you'll need to
do this manually, instead of online, for several reasons. First
of all, many online credit repair companies are hit or miss; you
may or may not get the information you require. Secondly, the
printouts may be difficult to read (after having been scanned
several times), and last of all, it is difficult to go back and
find exactly where the information was located, if need be,
again.
2. Credit Repair: Take a Good Look
Make a copy of all of the credit reports you receive, and
highlight each and every person and company who has reviewed
your credit history. Do you know who all of these people, and
companies are? You should. Do some sleuthing, and try and figure
out if every company listed is one that you have given access
to. Don't forget that many agencies are allowed to access your
credit rating reports, such as collection agencies, people
trying to grant you credit, insurance underwriters, etc. Any
entries that say "PRM" next to them are for promotional reasons,
and are entirely legal. And finally, review all of your payment
history with each credit agency to ensure it is all correct. If
there is a discrepancy somewhere, write down the particulars.
You'll need to go hunting for information confirming your case.
3. Credit Repair: Send a Letter
If applicable, send a letter to each of the credit agencies,
letting them know there has been an error. Be specific; attach
proof stating your case (a cancelled check stub, payment history
printout, etc.) You may use the form that the credit repair
agency sends you instead of writing out your own letter, but
don't feel badly if you need more space to state your case. Make
sure to keep a copy of everything that you send as well, just in
case it gets lost in transit.
4. Credit Repair: Review
About 30 days after you've sent off your letters, you should
receive responses from the credit repair agencies you have
contacted. The letter will show clearly what has been changed,
along with a new copy of your credit report, as well as any
omissions, deletions, or additions to your credit repair file.
If you still have an issue, you have up to two years to make
changes on your file, as per the Fair Credit Reporting Act
(FCRA).