
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Rebuilding Credit
Medical debt can affect your credit score if the debt is over $500 and over a year old. Due to a 2023 rule, such debts can appear on credit reports and stay for up to seven years.
Medical Debt and Credit
What should I do if I'm a victim of identity theft?
If you suspect identity theft, contact your financial institutions to mitigate potential damage, report the fraud to the companies where it occurred, and initiate a fraud alert with credit bureaus. The Federal Trade Commission recommends reporting the theft to help with recovery.
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
Is credit repair legal?
Yes, credit repair is legal under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which allows consumers to dispute inaccurate information on their credit reports. However, it's important to be cautious of scams and understand your rights when engaging in credit repair.
Legal Aspects of Credit Repair
What negative items can be removed from my credit report?
We can dispute and remove inaccurate, outdated, or unverifiable negative items, such as:
✅ Late payments
✅ Collections & charge-offs
✅ Bankruptcies (case-by-case basis)
✅ Foreclosures & repossessions
✅ Hard inquiries
✅ Identity theft-related accounts
Credit Report Disputes
What are some common credit repair scams to watch out for?
Common credit repair scams include promises of instant score improvements, requests for upfront fees before any services are provided, and guarantees of removing accurate negative items from your credit report.
Credit Repair Scams
How can I rebuild my credit after a financial setback?
Rebuilding credit involves steps such as reviewing your credit reports for errors, making timely payments, reducing credit card balances, and considering credit-builder loans or secured credit cards.
Rebuilding Credit
Can I improve my credit score on my own?
Yes, by paying bills on time, reducing debt, keeping credit card balances low, and disputing inaccuracies on your credit report, you can improve your credit score without professional assistance.
Improving Credit Score
How can I dispute errors on my credit report?
To correct mistakes in your credit report, contact both the credit bureau and the business that supplied the inaccurate information. Provide a detailed explanation of the error and include supporting documentation.
Disputing Credit Report Errors
How does credit repair work?
Credit repair involves identifying inaccurate or negative items on your credit report and disputing them with the credit bureaus to improve your credit score.
Credit Repair Basics
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
The CROA is a federal law that regulates credit repair companies, prohibiting deceptive practices and requiring specific disclosures to consumers.
Legal Aspects of Credit Repair
How long does negative information stay on my credit report?
Most negative information remains on your credit report for seven years, while bankruptcy information can stay for up to ten years.
Credit Report Information
What is credit repair?
Credit repair involves identifying and disputing inaccurate or negative items on your credit report to improve your credit score. This process can be done by individuals or with the assistance of reputable credit repair services.
Credit Repair Basics
How long does it take to improve my credit score?
Credit repair typically takes 30 to 90 days, depending on the number of disputes, the responsiveness of credit bureaus, and the complexity of the case. While some improvements happen quickly, full restoration can take several months.
Credit Score Improvement