If you are seeking quality credit repair services, what is it that you look for first? Most commonly the answer is, “the fastest way to improve my credit score.” But this is exactly the wrong approach – one that will lead to choosing a less than optimum company and in many cases, one that will use tactics of questionable legality to raise your credit score.
Surprised? Confused? Let’s take a look at it.
When you’re looking to get your credit fixed “fast”, you are opening the door to dishonest credit repair services that are conceptualized and marketed exactly along these lines.Allow me to introduce you to five foolproof tips in order to choose the best credit repair services, while protecting yourself from scam credit repair services.
Tip No 1 – trustworthy credit repair professionals never promise fast results to help your credit report or score. On the contrary, a trustworthy credit repair company will make sure you are informed as to what credit repair services you can expect. You will have these credit repair services listed in the form of a contract. Make sure they do present you with a contract; and if a contract is not forthcoming, you can be certain the company is a ripoff.
Tip No 2 – All reputable credit repair companies will make you aware of your rights and provide you with guidance in regard to the credit repair services that you can (and should) do for free. Things such as getting a free annual credit reports from the three bureaus, detecting errors in your report, disputing those errors, managing your finances and the like, are the things you can take care of on your own at some point in time.
The company will explained to you what you can do yourself with little effort, and what will better be left in the hands of professionals. The value of the credit repair services that company is offering can be well judged from such preliminary interactions.
Tip No 3 – No legitimate company would ever suggest bending the legal rules. You will find many agencies advertising “second” or “brand new” credit reports, complete and guaranteed removal of bad entries, immediate improvement in your credit score and so on.
Please! Before you take such claims seriously, visit the Government site of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and looked at credit repair. This will make you aware of the fact that the credit repair services promised by these types of companies are fraudulent and very likely illegal.
Tip No 4 – All reputable credit repair agencies offer, included with their services, free and quality counseling. As we have already discussed, a legitimate credit repair business is always prepared to help you become financially self-sufficient. They will be prepared to offer you top-quality credit repair services while at the same time, they will be happy to teach you what you can do on your own. If the agency is unwilling for you to learn about credit repair, contacting a credit bureau, and/or discourage you from taking any action on your own, then they are clearly fraudulent.
Tip no 5 – This is being mentioned last, in hopes it is the most likely to be remembered. Check out whatever membership organizations to which the company belongs. As an example, many legitimate companies who repair credit adhere to the code of ethics outlined by the ECRA (Ethical Credit Repair Alliance), which ensures that you – the customer – get the best possible credit repair services. Check out and ensure that your chosen agency is part of an ethical and nationally recognized regulatory body.