A credit repair company helps its clients clean up their credit reports by disputing errors and educating them on how to manage their debt. However, not all credit repair companies are created equal. Some have been found to be scams. The best way to avoid falling victim to a scam is by identifying red flags such as demanding payment up front, making promises that sound too good to be true and refusing to provide answers to basic questions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau warns consumers to beware of any credit repair company that claims it can erase bad marks or remove situations like bankruptcy from a person’s report or that it can craft a new identity for the client.
Credit repair companies make their money by charging fees for their services in exchange for contacting credit bureaus and creditors on the client’s behalf to dispute inaccurate information. They also educate their clients on how to improve their credit on their own, which can include opening a new account, paying off debt and maintaining a low credit utilization ratio. Many of these companies charge a flat monthly fee to perform these services, but the exact amount depends on the credit situation and how much negative information is removed from the report.
Some of the top credit repair companies are Ovation Credit, Credit Saint and Lexington Law. These companies are among the oldest in the industry and have extensive experience handling disputes with credit bureaus and creditors on behalf of their clients. They are able to do this because they understand how the credit reporting process works and what customers are legally entitled to request from both credit bureaus and creditors.
Besides assisting clients in disputing inaccuracies on their credit reports, these companies can also help them navigate the debt relief process by negotiating with creditors to settle or lower existing debts and helping them develop a plan to repay what they owe. They may also offer educational materials, workshops and one-on-one consultations to teach their clients how to maintain a healthy credit score.
Another service that some of the top credit repair companies offer is a monitoring service for their clients, which tracks changes to a client’s credit reports and alerts them of any potential errors or fraudulent activity. This is especially useful for people who have multiple credit cards or a history of debt that spans several years, as these errors can be difficult to spot on their own.
Aside from providing access to monitoring, credit repair companies also generally offer a range of other services that can be helpful for their clients. These can include offering education and advice about how to build a strong credit profile, as well as giving their clients tools for budgeting and creating a debt repayment plan. Some of these credit repair services can also be accessed for free or at a reduced cost through nonprofit organizations and government programs. In addition, some of the top credit repair companies offer a variety of discounts for military personnel, seniors and veterans.