You hear radio advertisements and see television ads of people boasting about how this company repaired their credit and now they want others to know it can be done for them too. Is this real or misleading?
First understand that only if you have inaccurate information on your credit report can a company “repair” your credit. You may not like the information you see on your report however, if it is true and current you cannot get that information removed. 
Secondly, this means that you can take action to get the inaccurate information removed on your own – not pay someone else to do it. Here’s how…
- Pull up your credit report.
Click here http://go.osu.edu/BPjN to learn how to access your credit report from one of the three credit reporting agencies.
- Look over your credit report checking to see if the information is accurate.
Errors that people have found include:
- The payment status on your account may be incorrect.
- Your file may contain common or similar names as yours causing you to have their information and some of your information may be missing on the report.
- Your ex-spouses information may be mixed in with yours.
- Accounts in which delinquencies have been resolved may not be reported.
- Outdated accounts may still be listed.
- Problems because of identity theft.
- Once you have identified the “error” follow that credit bureau’s dispute process.
Equifax Equifax Disputes All disputes with Equifax are handled online.
Experian Experian Disputes All disputes with Experian are handled online.
TransUnion TransUnion Disputes 1-800-916-8800
TransUnion Disputes 2 Baldwin Place, P.O. BOX 1000 Chester, PA 19022
- You will be notified the outcome of the dispute. Once you file a dispute with the credit bureau the credit bureau and the source that provided the disputed information are legally obligated to investigate the matter. If the information in the credit report is NOT verified – it will be removed.
You can pull up one credit report at a time or all at once. But remember once you do it for “free” you are not able to get another free report for one year from the time you accessed the report(s). So you might try accessing one report from one of the three agencies every four months.
Still looking for credit repair assistance? Try a credit counselor. The Ohio Attorney General website recommends The National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®). To locate a nonprofit financial counseling organization near you go to https://www.nfcc.org/locator/.
Having someone else deal with the hassle of following through with a dispute may seem the easy route. However, this is your financial life and going through the process will benefit you in multiple ways. One being you are more confident than ever about your finances leading to a secure financial future.
Tip: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has good information on recognizing a credit repair scam – click here http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/1343/how-can-i-recognize-credit-repair-scam.html.
