credit fixing companies are for-profit businesses that offer to work with credit bureaus and creditors to help improve a consumer’s credit. These companies typically check the customer’s credit reports and send letters disputing inaccurate information on their behalf. The company may then work with the credit bureaus to have the incorrect information removed. This can take between three and six months, but it’s not uncommon to see results faster than this timeframe.
Most credit repair companies will charge a monthly fee for their services. This can range from $50 to $100 per month, depending on the company. Some will also charge an initial fee, which can be used to set up a strategy for the customer. These fees are usually refundable if the customer doesn’t see results in a certain amount of time, but the best option is to find a company that offers a money-back guarantee and will let the customer cancel their subscription at any time.
The first step of a credit repair service is to review the credit report and identify any errors or mistakes. These errors can include anything from insufficient information to personal details that aren’t accurate. The credit repair agency will then contact the credit bureaus and the relevant creditors to have the incorrect information removed from the credit report. They will often write a letter to the credit bureaus that includes a detailed description of why the information is inaccurate and explains what should be included in the report instead.
Many credit repair agencies will use methods like debt validation, pay-for-delete services, and goodwill letters to try to have negative information removed from the credit report. However, these tactics can be illegal and can cost the client a lot of money. This is why it’s important to do your research and make sure the credit repair company you are working with is legitimate.
Credit repair companies will typically monitor a consumer’s credit score continuously to ensure they are making progress. The agency will then notify the client about any improvements or challenges to their credit score. The credit repair agency will then work with the credit bureaus and the relevant creditors to fix the errors on their report and ensure that the client’s credit is improving.
Lexington Law, one of the most popular credit repair companies in the country, follows a three-step process to help their clients improve their credit scores. They start by reviewing a consumer’s credit reports, identifying any errors and interviewing the consumer to get documents that prove the information is inaccurate. Then, they will file official complaints with the credit bureaus and the creditor to have the inaccurate information removed from their report. The company will then continue to follow up with the credit bureaus and the creditors until they get a satisfactory result. This process can take up to six months to complete, but the results are often worth it. The company can also provide consumers with a variety of educational resources about their credit scores, the credit industry, and ways to avoid common mistakes that can damage a credit report.
