subject: Credit Repair Services - 5 Ideas When Choosing One [print this page] When you are out seeking credit repair services, what is the primary thing you search for? Most commonly the answer is, "the quickest means of improving my credit." However, this is a bad answer - one that will lead to choosing a less than optimum company and sometimes, one that will operate outside the law to improve your credit score.
When you make "fast" credit repair your priority you are opening the door to unscrupulous agencies that are hoping to take advantage of people whose primary focus is getting their credit fixed quickly. Heed these important tips so you can select the best credit repair services, while avoiding unethical credit repair services.
Tip No 1 - aboveboard credit repair agencies never promise fast results to raise your credit score. On the contrary, every trustworthy agency will be very forthcoming about what can be expected. These services will be spelled out in a contract. Be sure to insist on having a contract; and if the contract is absent, you can be certain this company and their services are not legitimate.
Tip No 2 - All legitimate companies will explain your rights and provide you with guidance regarding the credit repair services you can do for free. Things such as obtaining your free annual credit reports from each of the three credit bureaus, monitoring the entries in your report, disputing wrong entries, good financial management and so on, are things that you may, at one point in time, do on your own.
The company will make you aware of what you can, with little effort, take care of yourself, and what requires the expertise of professionals. The trustworthiness of the company you are considering can be well judged from such preliminary interactions.
Tip No 3 - No trustworthy credit professional will ever suggest that you bend or break the law. There are a lot of companies that advertise a "second or new" identity, complete and guaranteed removal of bad entries, and so on. Don't even consider believing such promises until you have visited the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website and looked at credit repair. You will then understand that the services offered by companies such as these are fraudulent and even illegal in some cases.
Tip No 4 - Every trustworthy credit company offers, included in their services, free and quality counseling. As explained earlier, a reputable company is always prepared to help you become financially self-sufficient. They will be ready to offer you the best of credit repair services and at the same time show you what you can handle on your own. If you find the company is not willing to teach you in matters regarding fixing your credit, contacting a credit bureau, and/or discourage you from taking any action on your own, than you would be well advice to look for another company.
Tip no 5 - I am leaving the best for last, because this is what will remain in your mind long after you finish reading. Check out the membership organizations to which the company belongs. For instance many leading companies of this industry align themselves to the codes of conduct laid out by the ECRA (Ethical Credit Repair Alliance), which ensures that you - the customer - get the best possible credit repair services. Make sure the agency of choice has membership in a recognized regulatory agency.
by: Jim Eastman
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