• “Credit problems? No problem!”
• “We can erase bad credit – 100% guaranteed”
• “Create a new credit identity – legally”
• “We can remove bankruptcies, judgments, liens, and bad loans from your credit forever!”
It is in your best interest to save your money. Don’t believe all of the headlines and catch phrases regarding what can be done in a few weeks to save your credit. Repairing your credit takes time, effort and a personal debt repayment plan. Now there may be items that can be removed from your credit, but these are items that are erroneous or that should have already been removed because you have satisfied the time frame with regards to the credit reporting guidelines.
Watch for warning signs! If you decide to use a credit repair service, beware of companies that:
• Want you to pay for the services before the services are provided;
• Do not tell you of your legal rights and what you can do on your own;
• Recommend that you do not contact the credit bureau directly;
• Suggest that you try to invent a “new” credit report by applying for a Employer Identification Number (EIN) to use instead of your Social Security Number; or
• Advise you to dispute all information on your credit report or take any action that seems illegal, like creating a new credit identity.
Remember following illegal advice and committing fraud may make you subject to prosecution.
Under the Credit Repair Organization Act, credit repair companies can not require you to pay until they have completed the services promised. No one can legally remove accurate and timely negative information from your credit report. However, the law does allow you to request a reinvestigation of information in your file that you dispute as inaccurate or incomplete. There is no charge for this. Everything a credit repair company can do for you, you can do for little or no cost on your own. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you can:
• Obtain a free copy of your credit report, once a year or if you have been denied credit, denied insurance, or denied employment within the last 60 days.
• Dispute mistakes or outdated items for free. Simply ask the credit reporting agency for a dispute form or submit your dispute in writing, along with supporting documentation. Do not send in your original documents.
When the reinvestigation is complete, the credit bureau must give you written results and a free copy of your credit report in the dispute results in a change. If the item is changed or removed the credit bureau can not put the disputed information back in your file unless the information is verified for accuracy and completeness, and the credit bureau gives you a written notice that includes the name, address and phone number of the provider.
If the reinvestigation does not resolve your dispute, have the credit bureau include your version of the dispute in your file and in future reports. There is no charge for a reinvestigation.
By law, credit repair companies must give you a copy of the “Consumer Credit File Rights under State and Federal Law” before requiring you to sign a contract. They must also give you a written contract that spells out your rights and obligations. Read these documents carefully before you sign a contract.
Whether you have poor credit or not you should periodically check your credit report. Checking your credit history for accuracy in advance could speed up the credit granting process if you are planning a large purchase.
To contact the credit bureaus:
- Equifax – 1-800-685-1111 – http://www.equifax.com/
- Experian – 1-888-397-3742 – http://www.experian.com/
- TransUnion – 1-800-916-8800 – http://www.transunion.com/
All information provided was published by the Federal Trade Commission
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