Are you considering using a free credit repair service to improve your credit score?
Your credit score tells a lot about your financial health. A low credit score may create an impression of financial instability. But the good news is there are ways to repair your credit score on your own.
If you are looking for DIY credit repair advice, here are some practical tips.
The first thing to do before trying to repair your credit score is to get a credit report. Your credit report contains data that your credit score is based on so make sure to check it for accuracy once you do get it.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to provide you with a free credit report at your request once every 12 months.
The FCRA also states that a credit report will be provided even with denied a loan, insurance or employment. From here, you can identify the areas in your financial life that require help and changes.
You can also secure a free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com. All you need is your name, address, social security number, and birthday for verification.
If you have already gotten your free credit report from the 3 credit bureaus covered by the FCRA, you can request a credit report from several credit bureaus for a fee.
You can get a 3-in-1 or 3-bureau credit report which includes your credit history from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
This single report allows you to see your credit history from each of the 3 credit bureaus side-by-side allows for a more detailed comparison. Keep in mind that some credit companies and lenders may not have forwarded updated financial documents to all 3 credit bureaus.
Before considering free credit repair services, review the information in your credit report to see if it is accurate.
If you find inaccuracies or outdated information from this report, officially inform your credit reporting company in writing. Provide documentations that will support your assessment.
Check your personal information, the detailed history of each of your financial accounts, and documents, as well as public records. This includes filing for bankruptcy, as well as inquiries on your credit report.
Be on the look-out for possible errors you may see on your credit report:
This will help you identify the documents you will need to file a dispute on your credit report.
Be sure to include all the items you want to dispute and the reasons why it should be removed or corrected.
Remember to send your letter by certified mail and request a return receipt. This helps you create documentation if your credit company received your formal dispute. Always keep these communication documents, as well as other enclosures.
It will usually take 30 to 45 days to investigate your dispute.
Your credit reporting company will need to communicate all your relevant data submitted to the organizations that have provided the information.
It is faster and easier to make a dispute online. However, this leaves you with no paper trail that can be further used for any other issues that may arise regarding your credit score.
You can also file disputes with the banks or businesses that have listed incorrect information on your credit report.
They too have the obligation to investigate any incomplete or inaccurate information they have submitted that affected your credit report.
Try to get current on all your past-due accounts and those that are not yet charged-off by paying for the total amount past due.
Contact your lenders to find ways or negotiate on how to get back to current. Creditors can re-age your account to remove the delinquent remark. However, you need to negotiate and talk to them to qualify.
Beat the Bush shares his tips on how to improve your credit score for free:
You do not need to hire an expert or a company to repair your credit.
You can do a free credit repair by simply being keen on the areas of your financial health that requires attention.
Having a better understanding of your liabilities and areas where you can immediately improve your finances is the key to repairing your credit score for free.
Have prior experience in free credit repairing? Share useful tips in our comments area below!
Still interested in getting a good credit score. This article on How to Improve Your Credit Score in 10 Easy Steps may help you!
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