Instead of wasting money on a credit repair service

Go online and get a copy of your three bureau report (you can do this at Equifax.com). This will give you the ability to dispute any item directly through all 3 bureaus either online, over the phone, or by mail (most recommended). If you dispute an item and the creditor verifies it, try calling the creditor and seeing if they will remove the item in exchange for some type of payment (creditors love to squeeze money from accounts they assumed were not collectible). Make sure you get whatever they tell you in writing, so even if they don't remove it you can contact the credit bureau directly with proof.

I am actually doing this now instead of hiring a credit repair service like I mentioned in my previous thread. i think I will go the mail route since the FCRA gives the creditor 30 days to respond, and mailing the dispute gives them less time.

I agree with you, but alot of people either don't have the time or know what to do.

My cousin was able to work though some things with her credit by herself. She didn't need a repair service.

If people dont have time then they can order a copy of their credit report by calling people at [url=http://www.experian.com]Experian | Free Credit Report and Credit Score | Check Your Online Credit Report Today.[/url] and it can be paid for by Visa or MasterCard. It will be mailed to you within 48 hours. They usually charge $8 or less.

Ehm. I don't try this method. But i will do that next time. I only have 1 credit card. But i don't have any problem with that..:)

I will ad my 2¢ on credit repair services. As a former mortgage banker, I can tell you using a credit repair service isn't very good for helping you get a loan. Most are shoddy and don't perform as advertised but that is secondary. The federal guidelines tell lenders to consider use of a credit repair service on par with a recently filed bankruptcy. In other words, your credit is considered bottom of the barrel credit. That makes it hard to get a loan as well as repair your credit.

Everything they say they do, you can do. In fact, the federal laws are written to not only protect your rights but to give you a blue print on how to go about dealing with creditors, debt collectors and credit bureaus. Take a few minutes and read the laws. They are on your side.

Sandalwood, thank you for throwing in your 2 cents.  Your advice is worth a lot more than that, by the way :)  I agree that a person can easily do on their own what these credit repair outfits claim they will do.  Plus, when you do it yourself, you know exactly where things stand.  I think people are intimidated by the thought of doing this on their own, but once they step out and take action, they'll find it's a pretty simple process.