If you are tired of having credit cards and / or loans turned down, it is probably time to get some work done on your credit report repair. and you Many people turn to professional services, as it can be a difficult process to review reports, remove negatives, and work on repairs. However, not all of these services are worth the time and investment. Some are blatant scams. What do the best credit repair programs offer?
Some of the good things to look for include a free consultation, compliance with local laws, longevity, and a partnership with at least one attorney. The ideal credit repair organization will NOT charge you directly. They will offer you a free consultation and review your report to tell you what can and cannot be done. Ask them if they have experience with the type of situation you need to resolve, such as large credit card debt or removing an IRS link.
Speaking of attorneys, it is probably for the best that you stick with a program that has attorneys working for it. Law firms are the best credit repair programs since they know all the laws related to credit bureaus, banks, and lenders. Having them on your side is especially helpful if there are suspicious items on your credit report and you are concerned about a fraud attempt.
What are some of the “red flags” to look for? How do you know when to leave a “credit repair program”?
Features that the best credit repair programs don’t have
What to avoid:
• Any company that tries to demand an advance payment.
• The promise of a “quick / easy solution”. There are no “quick and easy fixes” when it comes to credit repair.
• Any kind of guarantee or promise that a company will “raise its score”
• Companies that have pending claims against them.
• Any suggestion that you “lie” or create a “parallel identity”.
• Make any suggestions or do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
The fact is, the best credit repair programs never make any promises other than the guarantee that they will review your credit reports and give you an analysis of whether there really is any hope for you and that they will help you. in any way possible, as long as the methods adhere to local and federal laws.
Before signing any contract, read all disclosures. DO NOT set up a payment plan with automatic detection. Familiarize yourself with the “Credit Repair Organization Act” to find out exactly what a business is prohibited from doing. If the program is legitimate, you will only have to start making payments once you receive proof that they are doing everything they can (legally) to help you.
Now that you know what the best credit repair programs offer, you can begin your search. Many people recommend Lexington Law, as the company offers a free one-on-one consultation and access to your TransUnion report summary. There are also many positive Lexington Law reviews online.