Posted on November 6, 2007 at 2:30 pm 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.

Posted on November 6, 2007 at 2:30 pm 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.

Posted on November 6, 2007 at 2:30 pm My cousin was able to work though some things with her credit by herself. She didn't need a repair service.

Posted on November 6, 2007 at 2:30 pm 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.

Posted on November 26, 2007 at 9:44 am 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..:)

Posted on November 26, 2007 at 3:52 pm 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.

Posted on December 8, 2007 at 1:29 pm 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.

Posted on July 24, 2008 at 10:20 am Hi,Yes people repair your own credit and make sure you read the Fair Credit Reporting Act before you start.Good luck!

Posted on September 20, 2008 at 10:39 pm My daughter was told that to increase her score (repair her credit) she needed to start making payments on loans, credit cards or any other account on time.  In other words, late payments are a problem and, of course are reported.  The loan officer could give her a better loan rate with a better credit score.  He recommended at least 6 months of on-time payments and then to check her score.  If it went up she could get a lower rate. 

Posted on February 24, 2009 at 2:39 pm You may want to consider books or e-books on the subject as a reference point for choosing the right path to restoring your credit.   You can also look at getting some software to help you, too.  It won't send a negative message to the credit world, but as with other tools, may help guide you through what most of us would consider "uncharted" territory.Good luck!