Does Credit Repair Actually Work? The Truth About Fixing Your Credit Score

For anyone dealing with a bad credit score, the idea of repairing it can seem like a promising opportunity. A poor credit history can make it harder to get approved for loans, credit cards, and even rental applications. But what if there was a way to fix it? 

That’s where Fix My Credit comes in. Let’s have a chat about credit repair and whether it’s the right move for you.

What is credit repair? 

Repairing your credit allows you to improve your credit score by identifying and addressing errors, negative marks, and other factors dragging it down. This can involve disputing incorrect information on your credit report, negotiating with creditors, and adopting better financial habits to boost your score over time.

How does credit repair work?

There are two ways to approach credit repair: doing it yourself or hiring a professional service.

• DIY credit repair: You can review your credit report, spot errors, and dispute inaccuracies directly with credit reporting agencies. This process takes time, patience, and knowledge of consumer rights.
• Professional credit repair services: At Fix My Credit, we specialise in helping clients identify errors and work on your behalf to resolve issues. We can also provide strategies to improve your credit standing over time.

Can credit repair remove negative items?

It depends. If a negative item on your credit report is inaccurate, unfair, or outdated, it can often be removed through the dispute process. However, if the negative mark is legitimate, such as a missed payment or default, it will generally stay on your report until it naturally expires, usually after five to seven years.

Common credit report errors that can be fixed

You might be surprised to learn how often credit reports contain errors. Some common mistakes that can negatively impact your score include:

• Accounts that don’t belong to you
• Incorrect late payments
• Debts that have already been paid but still appear as outstanding
• Duplicate accounts
• Identity theft-related inaccuracies
• Debts that have been unfairly listed where the creditor may not have followed correct protocols in listing the default
• Court judgments that have been paid (or can be paid) and the plaintiff is prepared to sign a consent order.

If any of these errors are on your report, credit repair can help.

What credit repair can’t do

Despite what some credit repair companies might claim, credit repair cannot:

• Instantly boost your score overnight
• Remove legitimate debts or negative marks
• Create a “new” credit identity (this is illegal!)

Credit repair is about correcting inaccuracies and helping you rebuild your financial health, it’s not a quick fix or a way to erase financial mistakes instantly.

How we work to improve your credit score

Here are some common steps we take:

1. Check your credit report – We obtain a copy of your credit report from Equifax, Experian, or Illion and carefully review it for any errors.
2. Dispute any inaccuracies – If we identify mistakes, we’ll file a dispute with the credit reporting agencies to have them corrected.
3. Credit default removal – We work to have any incorrect or outdated credit defaults removed from your report.
4. Credit judgment removal – We assist in having unjustified credit judgments removed to improve your credit standing.
5. Credit enquiry removal – We’ll address unnecessary or erroneous credit inquiries to reduce their impact on your score.
6. Debt negotiation – We negotiate with creditors on your behalf to reduce outstanding balances or arrange more manageable repayment terms.
7. Small business debt restructuring – For small businesses, we offer restructuring services to help manage and clear business debt, setting you up for future financial success.

Does credit repair guarantee results?

No, unfortunately, no company can guarantee a specific increase in your credit score. How effective credit repair is depends on your individual credit history, the accuracy of your credit report, and your financial habits moving forward. We’ll be transparent about what we can and can’t do.

When to seek professional help

If credit repair feels overwhelming, a professional credit repair service like Fix My Credit might be worth considering. We can navigate the complexities of credit reporting laws and help you take control of your financial future more efficiently.

Credit repair does work when done correctly. While it won’t erase legitimate financial mistakes, it can help fix errors and set you on the right path toward a healthier credit score. 

Need help improving your credit? Contact Fix My Credit today to learn how we can assist you in repairing your credit and regaining financial freedom.