Credit repair companies can help you clean up errors on your credit report that may be hurting your score and keeping you from getting loans, mortgages or even a job. But not all of them are created equal. Some make outrageous claims or charge hidden fees. Others may even be scams. With so many options out there, it’s important to do your research and choose a reputable company. To help you, we’ve compiled this list of the best credit repair services to consider.
While you can dispute credit report errors yourself, it’s often a time-consuming process. Credit repair services are designed to do the heavy lifting for you, requesting your reports from each bureau and disputing mistakes with lenders and the credit bureaus on your behalf. Some of these services also offer identity theft protection, which can help you keep your information safe if you become the victim of fraud or someone steals your personal details.
It’s essential to find a service that has a track record of success and a low startup fee. It’s also a good idea to look for a company that offers transparency in its pricing, as well as educational resources on its website. You can also check consumer reviews and the company’s length of business to gauge trustworthiness. It’s also a good idea not to work with a credit repair company that instructs you not to contact the credit bureaus or encourages you to provide false information on a loan application, as this is illegal.
The first thing you should do when choosing a credit repair service is get your credit report for free. You can do this through the CFPB’s online database or by calling the credit bureaus directly. This way, you can see the exact errors on your credit report that need fixing before hiring a company to do it for you. Then, you can start by finding a service that has been around for a while and offers a money-back guarantee if it doesn’t fix the errors on your report. Also, it’s a good idea to choose a credit repair service that lets you pause your subscription at any time, so you can save on the monthly charges and only use it when necessary. For example, Credit Saint allows customers to pause their service online without paying the monthly fee. You can then resume the service at any time in the future. This is a great feature for anyone who’s on a tight budget or just needs help with one specific issue.