If your credit is bad and you don’t see relief in the future, you may want to think about trying to repair it. This is the process of removing negative items from your credit reports. While you can try to do everything yourself, the process can be time-consuming, especially if there are multiple negatives, which can range from mistakes to unfair claims by lenders. One way to speed up the process and get some relief as quickly as possible is to turn to credit repair companies.

Since it is an industry full of scams, you need to be careful which company you choose. Before choosing a company, start with the basics: reputation and fees. The price of the service will vary depending on the company, the features and how much they will be able to do for you. However, there is one thing that any legitimate company will NOT do: charge you up front. You should only stick with companies that offer free consultations. Let them take a look at your credit reports first so they can assess your situation. THEN you can talk about money.

Good credit repair companies don’t just contact the credit bureaus. In fact, they also try to contact lenders and debt collectors. Even if the negative items are due to your own mistakes, you can still negotiate, as long as the repair company is legitimate and has attorneys in its network.

How fast do credit repair companies work?

How long will it take to repair your credit and increase your score? There should never be any specific guarantee. Avoid any company that promises to “increase your score by 100 points in just 2 months!” However, since credit bureaus must respond and resolve each dispute within 30 to 45 days, you should have a general idea of ​​how long it will take to clear things up. If you have multiple negative items, it will obviously take longer. There are always variables involved, no matter how few or how many negative elements you need to remove.

Before you sign any contract, make sure you understand exactly what you’re signing up for and how much you’ll have to pay each time you’re charged. According to the Credit Repair Organizations Act, these types of companies are prohibited from demanding any advance payment. They cannot legally charge you until they start completing some work for you.

Which of the credit repair companies should you trust? One company that is always mentioned is Lexington Law. It is a trusted name and you can expect your own dedicated paralegal to work with you on your case. You may even be eligible for discounts with Lexington Law.