Do anyone know of a reputable Credit Repair Agency?
I have several charge offs, and collections items on my credit report. I would like to get these items removed. The biggest challenge is with Experian they do not delete anything. I would like to purchase a home increase my score. I paid all my collection accounts and charge offs everything have zero balances three years ago. I only fell behind because I was taking care of a sick parent. My mistake was I never received or asked for a written letter from the creditor to remove it off my credit report after I paid it. At the time all I was thinking about 3 years ago was paying off my debt. Do credit repair work and is there any repair agency that is highly experienced with Experian. I tried the creditor but they will not work with me. I tried disputing all come back verified. I believe I need a experienced person to help with this. I'm in Southern California
Public Comments
- Go to one of the non-profit credit repair agencies in your area. The ones that charge a fee are not to be trusted.
- From the 2007 edition of Consumer Action Handbook, I quote "Credit repair companies advertise they can erase bad credit for a hefty fee. Don't believe it." Under the credit repair organizations act, credit repair companies can't require you to pay until them have completed the promised services. They must also give you: a copy of the consumer credit file rights under State and Federal law before you sign a contract, a written contract that spells out your right and obligations, three days to cancel without paying any fees.
- Try Credit Justice Services. This is the company that I work for. I work exclusively with realtors and mortgage brokers across the country repairing credit for their clients that can't qualify for a home loan. CJS is the best - hands down. I have a consultant in San Diego. I'll be glad to get you in touch with him if you would like to pm me. Despite all the bad press out there about credit repair companies, this one is a diamond in the rough. We have an in house attorney and corporate compliance officer. The company isn't just legal - it's pristine. The uninformed will tell you never to use a credit repair company. A good company can many times get items removed that you could not, disputing the item yourself. Why? Because you probably aren't as versed in the laws as a credit repair company is. Good luck whatever you do!
- I had a terrible score several months ago: 365. Ouch. I needed to enhance my score, since I need to apply for the Sallie Mae signature loans. There were so many accounts on my report that were delinquent and even though I paid them off years ago, they just were not coming off. I was recommended through the school's financial aid office to use a service to assist in cleaning up some of my credit report to up my score. I did much research and was very weary about these credit "fixer" companies. After I did my research I decided to go with Credit Bureau Experts: www.CreditBureauExperts.Com. The first couple of months was around $40.00 and that is when most of the "clean up" is done. You do not have to continue with the program after that time. I am still on it and it is only like $20.00 per month. My score did go from 365 to 642 within 4 months. My credit report is half the size that it was previously. They are still working on my file and each month my score goes up 10-20 more points, so I do not find this company to be a scam at all. I think it works best if you pay off your bills and pay on time.
- Forget about it. There is no such thing as a reputable credit repair agency. They can only do what you've already done. If you want to buy a home go the contract for deed way. Which is renting to own. You make 12 monthly ontime payments then refi. You then own the house. If you've paid the charge offs they will have to sit on the report for the balance of the seven years from the last payment date. That's not a problem now. The mortgage co. may give you a little higher rate, but the previous debts can't go to judgment and become a lien on the property, and that's what a mortgage co looks for with bad debt.
- I just paid off my debt a couple of months ago. If you paid all this items in full you can contact the collection agency you paid to and they are required to send you a letter of release after 30 days of the account being paid. With or without these letters you can then dispute the items online. I purchased a 30 day free trial offer at freecreditreport.com provided by Experian and right on the website I was able to dispute all the items that were not updated. My credit score went from 513 to 632 in just about 3 weeks. Just make sure to cancel the 30 day offer if you no longer want it before the 30 days because they will then charge you what ever the monthly fee is. I know if you paid off all your debt either the collency agency can send you a letter and you can send that to the credit bureau or you can just dispute it online and they will take care of verifing if the accounts were paid or not and then they will update your CR, but it seems as if they are stating it's good so my best advice is to contact the collection agencies, they should look up your account by your social security number. Try it first. Don't pay these people money for the same thing you can probably do yourself! Good Luck.
- if you have bad or no credit and have no credit cards try to obtain two credit cards and make sure all of your monthly payments are made on time. This will help increase your credit score by OFFSETING or DILUTING your past credit problems. If you cannot be approved for a unsecured credit card, obtain a secured credit card. Also, credit repair companies cannot remove negative information on your credit report. They are lying if they say they can.
- It never ceases to amaze me how many people seem to want to jump on the "credit repair is no good or is illegal bandwagon”. To clarify one of the comments that were made in response to your question - a credit repair company can charge before providing services if they are a bank, credit union or 501(c)3. Now back to your question; there are reputable firms out there you just need to be cautious. I have been in the mortgage industry for 8 years and am a certified mortgage planning specialist (CMPS). I have put many clients through a credit repair process and in ALL cases have had great results. The company is VR-Tech Marketing Group and United Credit Education Services. The client is able to track there progress online as they go through the program through a secure back office. As far as getting deletions, just about anybody can get some deletions on the first round of disputes, it what happens after that. The languages on the letters need to change according to the response you receive. That where having a good professional service can help. UCES gets deletions in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th round disputes. The Credit Repair Organization Act States that a client in an effort to improve there credit rating can contract a credit repair service. I would have to bet that the people that respond with its not legal or do it yourself probably have credit issues them selves and further more aren't willing to help you. I am not sure what would make someone give advice that would effect another persons life so adversely and not know what they are talking about. Anyway for more information go to www.unitedcredited.com Thanks Mark Bustamonte Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist Certified Credit Consultant 866-840-2240 Toll Free
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