Credit repair companies work on your behalf with creditors and the three major credit bureaus to help remove questionable items from your credit reports and improve your credit score. You can always try to repair your credit yourself; however, depending on your financial situation, working with a reputable credit repair service may save you time and provide a better outcome in the long run.
In addition to disputing errors on your credit report, a good credit repair company will also offer services like credit score tracking and identity theft insurance as an added bonus, all at an affordable price. Ideally, you'll also want to work with a credit repair company that has a reasonable cancellation policy and provides a money-back guarantee. Fortunately, the best credit repair companies will be easy to locate due to their excellent track records with prior clients.
According to our research, Credit Pros is the best overall credit repair company due to its credit builder loan and line of credit offerings, money-back guarantee, and mobile app. To choose the best credit repair companies, we evaluated 17 credit repair services on 39 factors, including costs and fees (40.5%), services offered (34%), customer experiences (22.5%), and stability (3%). Some credit repair companies only work with one or two of the major credit bureaus, but each company on our list works with all three—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Best Credit Repair Companies for September 2024
- Best Overall: The Credit Pros
- Most Aggressive Timeline: The Credit People
- Best Simple Credit Repair Options: Credit Saint
- Most Experienced: Sky Blue Credit
- Best for Dispute Services: CreditFirm.net
- Best Customer Experience: CreditRepair.com
- Best for Transparency: Lexington Law
- Best for Additional Services: Credit Assistance Network
Best Overall : The Credit Pros
![The Credit Pros Logo](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/lZCw1PW-11KvgxRBL9seV-kwaPk=/fit-in/1500x750/filters:format(png):fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/The-Credit-Pros-Logo-ceaf77533ae648c58f7aed4834c7ba9e.jpg)
- Monthly disputes: Yes
- Lowest monthly fee: $129.00
- Lowest first payment: $119.00
The Credit Pros is our choice for Best Overall thanks to its credit builder loan and line of credit, along with being top-notch for most of the other criteria we reviewed. Prospective clients get a free credit repair consultation to help them decide which of the company's three packages is best for them.
While Credit Pros doesn’t clearly outline the types of letters it will send to the credit bureaus or creditors on your behalf, it does get to work quickly. New customers can expect this company to start working on their credit just three to five business days after signing up, and you can track progress through the Credit Pros mobile app or online portal.
Credit builder loan available
Mobile app available
Offers money-back guarantee
$5,000.00 line of credit with National Credit Direct available
No debt management program available
Higher cost than some competitors
The Money Management plan offered by Credit Pros (which doesn't actually include any credit repair services) costs $69.00 per month. The next level, Prosperity, costs $129.00 per month and does include credit repair. Customers who need significant assistance can also opt for its Success Plus plan for $149.00 per month.
To be eligible for a credit builder loan you'll need to sign up for the Success Plus plan, and then apply. Credit builder loans are a bit like reverse loans—you make the payments first, and then you get the money. Make all your payments on time, and you'll wind up with a loan account on your credit reports in good standing, which can help improve your credit. Credit Pros' credit builder loan reports to all three major credit bureaus.
According to customer support, the $5,000.00 line of credit is available with the Money Management plan; this is less useful than the credit builder loan because it only reports to Experian. That means it won't show up on your TransUnion and Equifax credit reports. This line of credit is quite limited, as it can only be used for purchases with the National Credit Direct store.
As a Credit Pros customer, you’ll get access to TransUnion credit monitoring, so if there are changes to your report you’ll be alerted quickly. All packages also come with budgeting and bill payment tools, in addition to identity theft protection. With its Success Plus plan, you’ll get unlimited credit bureau disputes, creditor interventions, access to your credit reports and scores with all three bureaus, as well as a credit builder loan.
Originally founded in 2009, Credit Pros is headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. For more information, see the full Credit Pros Credit Repair review.
Most Aggressive Timeline : The Credit People
![The Credit People](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/z260CGYBRy3CJqQ0wHcoE0hXkyQ=/fit-in/1500x750/filters:format(png):fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/The-Credit-People-logo-9e899c8c865b4fc6acf4b9ff444ae84f.jpg)
The Credit People
- Monthly disputes: Yes
- Lowest monthly fee: $99.00
- Lowest first payment: $19.00
Unlike some competitors that offer vague timelines highlighting customer results, The Credit People will begin work almost immediately, and the company indicates that some customers will see results within just 60 days. It also provides your free credit scores and reports right after you sign up, helping you better monitor your credit situation right when you start. Having this starting point can be helpful for gauging your progress over time.
Money-back guarantee
Competitive pricing
Offers free credit consultation
No mobile app
Doesn’t offer a debt management program
No identity theft insurance
The Credit People offers a free credit repair consultation and one service package with three payment options. Customers can choose to pay $99.00 per month, $119.00 per month, or $599.00 per year.
Its offerings include unlimited disputes, a credit analysis, creditor interventions, monthly score updates, and credit monitoring, but note that some of these features, like credit interventions, are not available in the lowest-cost plan. Identity theft insurance and debt management solutions aren’t offered. If you’re unhappy with its annual service, the company offers a six-month satisfaction guarantee.
Clients can reach out to The Credit People customer service over email, by phone, and through live chat or support ticketing. The website offers helpful educational materials, and you can view your progress in an online portal. But there’s no mobile app available.
Originally founded in 2001, The Credit People is headquartered in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. For more information, see the full The Credit People Credit Repair review.
Best Simple Credit Repair Options : Credit Saint
![Credit Saint](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/YCYH_gVRIGrXoNhT8PJxo_Npm3I=/fit-in/1500x750/filters:format(png):fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Credit_Saint-e503baee21424761a9bdbdef67cbb93b.jpg)
Credit Saint
- Monthly disputes: Yes
- Lowest monthly fee: $79.99
- Lowest first payment: $99.00
Credit Saint offers a comprehensive package for simple credit repair needs, designed for those who may not require all the bells and whistles of the more expensive plans. The company also has a long history, a strong reputation, and an excellent 90-day money-back guarantee.
90-day money-back guarantee
Three credit repair packages
Transparent pricing
Not available in all states
Relatively high first payment
Credit Saint has been in business since 2004 and is headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey. The website features rankings from various personal finance websites, and its services include ongoing credit education.
Credit Saint's three types of credit repair provide customers with a clear-cut path to becoming more creditworthy. The basic Credit Polish package might offer everything you need, or you may have to go with a higher tier.
Credit Saint offers a free consultation by phone, during which you can discuss which package is right for you. After that, you'll have online access and phone support throughout the process. Credit Saint provides credit monitoring through its affiliate, Credit Squad, so you can make sure things are going in the right direction.
For more information, read the full Credit Saint review.
Most Experienced : Sky Blue Credit
![Sky Blue Credit](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/q6V_1mfwjCXLKhudSmZchR4mV4Q=/fit-in/1500x750/filters:format(png):fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Sky-Blue-Credit-Repair-e5bc617bee844f7bb4d916fa9441cc9b.jpg)
Sky Blue Credit
- Monthly disputes: Yes
- Lowest monthly fee: $79.00
- Lowest first payment: $79.00
Sky Blue was founded in 1989 and is one of the most well-established credit repair services available. It provides all the services you’d expect, including credit repair, credit monitoring, unlimited disputes, and debt-management advice that can help you improve your financial habits.
Offers 90-day guarantee
Easy to cancel membership
Transparent pricing
Only one service plan
No mobile app
No live chat available
Sky Blue offers a single-service plan with competitive pricing. Customers pay $99.00 per month, plus a $99.00 first payment. In addition to credit monitoring, repair, disputes, and debt management, you’ll also get extra services like cease and desist letters, goodwill letters, and an identity theft consultation at no added cost.
While Sky Blue offers a generous array of features and services, it provides fewer customer service options than some competitors. Clients can connect with customer service over the phone, via email, and by getting a support ticket. But it doesn’t offer live chat or a mobile app, which is surprising given that the company has been in business so long.
Sky Blue also has some fairly recent complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), where unhappy customers mention issues with customer service and incorrect account information.
Sky Blue is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida. For more information, see the full Sky Blue Credit Repair review.
Best for Dispute Services : CreditFirm.net
![CreditFirm.net](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/BNHFJq1UI_N-8UjxN4SxkEXfcXc=/fit-in/1500x750/filters:format(png):fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Credit_Firm-101624023efd4060a99ca114ed667359.jpg)
CreditFirm.net
- Monthly disputes: Yes
- Lowest monthly fee: $49.99
- Lowest first payment: N/A
CreditFirm.net is our top choice for dispute services among reputable credit repair companies. Not only does it send unlimited dispute letters on your behalf, but it will dispute issues with creditors and credit bureaus in several different ways, including sending debt validation, goodwill, and cease-and-desist letters. It also conducts CFPB investigations on behalf of clients and provides identity theft assistance.
Relatively low monthly fees
Offers free consultation
Can cancel anytime
No identity theft insurance available
Does not offer mobile app
No live chat feature
CreditFirm.net, which was founded in 1997, offers two plans for its customers, one for an individual person, at $49.99 per month, and one for couples, at $89.99 per month. The plans are the same, but the latter plan simply offers a discount when you sign up as a couple.
The plans both include a credit analysis, unlimited disputes, goodwill letters, inquiry challenges, and credit monitoring. Plus, you’ll get a personal credit consultant assigned to your account, which can be useful because they’ll already have insight into your case if you have any questions.
While CreditFirm.net offers customer service via phone, email, and support ticket, live chat is not available. It also does not offer a mobile app for clients, and the company does have one relatively recent complaint with the CFPB.
CreditFirm.net is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois. For more information, see the full CreditFirm.net Credit Repair review.
Best Customer Experience : CreditRepair.com
![CreditRepair.com](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/pItg1fEiBS05FlIOM0uVAQZRWDk=/fit-in/1500x750/filters:format(png):fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Credit_Repair-5b865bd1138b4ffa92c0dc9fa80419f5.jpg)
CreditRepair.com
- Monthly disputes: Yes
- Lowest monthly fee: $49.95
- Lowest first payment: $49.95
CreditRepair.com is our top choice for the best customer experience. Not only does it offer customer-friendly pricing, but it also provides multiple ways to connect with customer service, as a member, including by phone and live chat. Clients can also get a free credit assessment when they sign up and track their progress through the company’s mobile app.
The CFPB proposed a settlement with a group of companies operating some of the largest credit repair brands in the country, including CreditRepair.com, requiring them to pay a fine of $2.7 billion and banning them from telemarketing credit repair services for 10 years. The companies collected illegal advance fees through telemarketing, violating federal law. More than 4 million consumers were cheated, the CFPB said.
Free credit assessment available
Has mobile app
Offers accessible customer service
No money-back guarantee
Similar to several competitors, CreditRepair.com offers tiered service packages. With its $49.95 Value package, you get bureau challenges, inquiry interventions, and credit score updates. Its Direct package costs $69.95 and comes with everything from the Value plan, in addition to goodwill letters.
With a $99.95-per-month Standard package, you get the features of the Direct plan plus FICO Score inquiry assistance, which lets you dispute items on your own. Its highest-tier Advanced package costs $119.95 per month and comes with Direct plan features, monthly credit scores, and more dispute options.
CreditRepair.com has received complaints with the CFPB. Dissatisfied customers complain about excessive fees and issues canceling their service. Despite these complaints, CreditRepair.com could be worth considering if you’re seeking relatively affordable services and accessible customer representatives.
Originally founded in 2012, CreditRepair.com is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. For more information, see the full CreditRepair.com review.
Best for Transparency : Lexington Law
![Lexington Law Credit Repair Review](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/Lb-No0CUgAIsBiSDa0jqOgCrsU8=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:format(png):fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Lexington_Law-b1ce951e6cfb44bf87d5504819757712.jpg)
Lexington Law Credit Repair
- Monthly disputes: 3 to 8 per 30–45 days
- Lowest monthly fee: $139.95
- Lowest first payment: Not disclosed
Lexington Law is our top pick for transparency, as its website and customer representatives are very forthcoming with information. While many credit repair company websites lack details about plans and features, Lexington Law provides informative descriptions of its services and outlines the three-step process it uses to repair your credit. Plus, it offers a detailed frequently asked questions page and a free assessment for new clients where a representative can answer any questions you might have.
The CFPB proposed a settlement with a group of companies operating some of the largest credit repair brands in the country, including Lexington Law, requiring them to pay a fine of $2.7 billion and banning them from telemarketing credit repair services for 10 years. The companies collected illegal advance fees through telemarketing, violating federal law. More than 4 million consumers were cheated, the CFPB said.
Several "focus tracks" to choose from
Multiple discounts available
Identity theft insurance included
Only 3 to 8 disputes per 30–45 days
No business credit services available
Doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee
Lexington Law formerly offered several different plan options, but now offers a single plan that costs $139.95 per month. You can check out the service at no cost for 5 to 15 days before a payment will be charged.
This plan comes with with multiple bureau challenges and creditor intervention letters, access to help from lawyers and paralegals, and personalized credit score improvement strategies. There are a variety of "focus tracks" to choose from, depending on your specific situation, such as medical bills, identity theft, national emergency, and divorce.
While Lexington Law does have several complaints with the CFPB, it also offers accessible customer service through live chat. You can also review your progress through the Lexington Law mobile app or online portal.
Originally founded in 2004, Lexington Law is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, and services 49 states. For more information, see the full Lexington Law Credit Repair review.
Best for Additional Services : Credit Assistance Network
![Credit Assistance Network](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/NBKeIyuNqIyj5x3akKDWSXeo0Ok=/fit-in/1500x750/filters:format(png):fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Credit_Network_Assistance-e9252782dba84e8e9c818cd3b1ae1c10.jpg)
Credit Assistance Network
- Monthly disputes: Yes
- Lowest monthly fee: $49.00
- Lowest first payment: $149.00
The Credit Assistance Network has been helping its customers repair their credit since 2004. While it offers many of the services you’d expect from a credit repair company, including dispute, debt validation, and goodwill letters, customers also get credit monitoring and alerts, identity theft protection, and access to personal finance tools.
Rather than providing services itself, Credit Assistance Network connects you with other companies; for credit repair, you’ll end up signing up with one of several affiliates.
Free credit consultation available
Offers money-back guarantee
Flexible cancellation policy
No live chat support
Limited educational resources
No mobile app
Credit Assistance Network offers three service plans: Money Management ($49.00 per month), Prosperity Package ($119.00 per month), and Success Package ($149.00 per month). The Money Management plan comes with all of the services we discussed above, while the higher-tier plans come with added features like medication discounts and guaranteed lines of credit.
This company’s suite of services is appealing, but its customer service is somewhat lacking. Customer representatives can be reached via phone, email, and support ticket. But there’s no live chat or mobile app available, and its website doesn’t offer many educational resources. There also aren’t many customer reviews of the company online.
Credit Assistance Network is based in Newark, New Jersey. For more information, see the full Credit Assistance Network Credit Repair review.
The Bottom Line
Our top pick for credit repair is the Credit Pros, which has standard pricing and many tools to help you repair and rebuild your credit. In addition to contacting credit bureaus and creditors on your behalf, the Credit Pros offers credit builder loans, TransUnion credit monitoring, and lines of credit, all of which you can discuss during a free consultation.
Our other top choices cover a wide variety of needs. If you're in a hurry, for example, The Credit People offers the most aggressive timeline, while CreditFirm can help if you have a variety of dispute needs. To effectively rebuild your credit, take the time to find the right company for your specific situation.
Compare the Best Credit Repair Companies
Company | Starting Monthly Fee | First Payment | Monthly Disputes |
---|---|---|---|
The Credit Pros Best Overall | $129.00 | $119.00 | Yes |
Credit Saint Best Simple Credit Repair Options | $79.99 | $99.00 | Yes |
SkyBlue Credit Most Experienced | $79.00 | $79.00 | Yes |
The Credit People Most Aggressive Timeline | $99.00 | $19.00 | Yes |
CreditFirm.net Best for Dispute Services | $49.99 | N/A | Yes |
CreditRepair.com Best Customer Experience | $49.95 | $49.95 | Yes |
Lexington Law Best for Transparency | $139.95 | Not disclosed | 3 to 8 per 30–45 days |
Credit Assistance Network Best for Additional Services | $49.00 | $149.00 | Yes |
Repairing Your Credit on Your Own
If you’d prefer not to work with a credit repair service, you can repair your credit on your own. While this process can take time, it could be worth it for those who have minor credit issues that need fixing. All three credit bureaus let you dispute inaccurate or incomplete information on your credit reports, and you can choose to dispute online or by mail. Most also offer dispute letter templates that you can download and use.
Working on your financial habits can also help improve your credit over time. You might start by using a budgeting tool and looking at your finances to develop a budgeting system that works. This way, you’ll have a good idea of money coming in every month and how you’re spending it. Many budgeting tools also have bill tracking and payment features, which can be useful if you’re trying to stay on track with payments.
If you’re interested in repairing your credit on your own, check out these resources:
- The 5 Biggest Factors That Affect Your Credit
- How to Read a Consumer Credit Report
- Inside Credit Repair: What You Need to Know to Fix Your Credit
- How to Use a Credit Card to Build Credit
Credit Bureau Contact Information
Credit Bureau | File Dispute Online | File Dispute By Mail |
---|---|---|
Equifax | https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute/ | Equifax Information Services, LLC P.O. Box 740256 Atlanta, GA 30374-0256 |
Experian | https://www.experian.com/disputes/main.html | Experian P.O. Box 4500 Allen, TX 75013 |
TransUnion | https://www.transunion.com/credit-disputes/dispute-your-credit | TransUnion Consumer Solutions P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016 |
How to Dispute a Credit Report
If you discover a mistake or outdated information on your credit report, you can follow the three-step process outlined below to dispute the error.
Step 1: Contact the Credit Reporting Company (or Companies)
You'll want to dispute the error(s) with each credit bureau that has the mistake. You can contact the major credit bureaus online, by mail, or by phone. If you decide to dispute by mail, then you can fill out a sample letter from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). In your letter, you'll want to include your contact information, a request that the incorrect or inaccurate information be removed or corrected, each mistake you want fixed (and why), copies of any supporting documents, and a copy of the relevant report (with the mistake(s) circled).
Step 2: Contact the Company That Provided the Erroneous Information
You'll then have to dispute the incorrect or inaccurate information with the business that provided it. The CFPB and the FTC each provide template letters for contacting these businesses as well. Your letter should specify that you're disputing one or more errors, and it should include your complete name and address, each mistake you want fixed (and why), and copies of any supporting documents.
Step 3: Monitor Your Credit Report(s)
After all letters have been sent, you should keep a close eye on your credit report(s) to ensure that each bureau has removed the incorrect or inaccurate information. Should the business that reported the erroneous information continue to do so, check that each credit bureau has placed a notice that you're disputing the information.
How to Fix Your Credit Score
If you're interested in fixing your credit score on your own, then following the steps listed below can put you on the right path without having to pay the sizable fees that credit repair companies often charge:
Step 1: Review Your Credit Report
By law, the three major credit bureaus are each required to provide you with a free copy of your credit report once per year. Ideally, you should check your credit reports from one of the bureaus every four months. Review each report to identify any possible mistakes.
Step 2: Dispute Inaccurate or Incomplete Information
If you do find one or more errors on your credit report, you should file a dispute with the respective credit bureau as soon as possible. The credit bureau will remove or update any mistakes and, while it's not a guarantee, this may improve your score.
Step 3: Find Ways to Better Manage Your Debt
One of the best things you can do to improve your credit score is to make payments on any outstanding debt you have. The reason for this is twofold: Firstly, payment history accounts for 35% (the largest share) of your FICO score, so paying your bills on time is the best thing you can do to fix your credit. If you're already late on any payments, bring any past-due accounts current as soon as possible—the longer you wait, the harder it'll be to repair the damage. Secondly, the amount of debt you owe is responsible for 30% of your FICO score, so keeping your credit utilization ratio low will also improve your score. If you can't afford to make payments on your outstanding debts, reach out to your lender about hardship options immediately.
Step 4: Keep Debt Accounts Open When Possible
This may seem to contradict the above point, but the amount of time you've had an account open is viewed positively by lenders. It's not as important as paying down your debt (with account history only composing 15% of your FICO score), but keeping your credit card balances open and your credit utilization low (as opposed to not using any credit) are both still good strategies for improving a bad credit score.
Step 5: Look Into Credit-Improving Lending
Products like credit builder loans, which are specifically designed to help build (or rebuild) your credit, and secured loans or credit cards, which are easier for borrowers with poor credit to qualify for due to being backed by collateral, offer opportunities to show financial responsibility to the three major credit bureaus. As you make on-time payments on these smaller loans/lines of credit, your positive payment history will slowly improve your credit score over time.
Guide to Choosing the Best Credit Repair Company
As you shop around for credit repair companies, you’ll likely notice that different companies offer slightly different services, pricing, and customer service options. Here’s what to look for as you compare options and narrow down your choices.
What Is a Credit Repair Company and How Does It Work?
Credit repair companies will engage with the credit bureaus and creditors to help get misleading, incomplete, or inaccurate information removed from your credit reports. The goal is to clean up your payment history, which is the largest factor that affects your credit score.
While a credit repair company typically doesn’t do anything you can’t do on your own, these services can be helpful if you need significant assistance with your credit. For instance, if you have several accounts to deal with or lots of errors on your credit reports, a credit repair company could be a good option for you. Disputing all of the issues on your own may be too time-consuming or overwhelming, especially if you’re dealing with significant financial stress.
How to Compare Credit Repair Companies
There are several factors to compare as you shop around for the right credit repair services, including:
- Services offered: Review which services each credit repair company offers. For instance, some might offer credit repair and credit monitoring, while others offer additional services like debt management plans or identity theft protection.
- Cost: Compare the cost of services, including both monthly and first payment. Look into any discounts available to help lower the cost of services.
- Number of monthly disputes: Certain credit repair companies may offer unlimited disputes, while others provide a specific number of disputes per month. Consider your needs and the number of disputes offered as you research companies.
- Credit bureau coverage: Look at which credit bureaus each company works with. It’s a good idea to choose a company that works with all three major bureaus if you need negative items removed from your Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion reports (most companies work with all three).
- Free credit consultation: Many credit repair services offer free credit consultations for new customers. These consultations can provide helpful guidance and insight into the services offered and what you should reasonably expect.
- Guarantees: Certain companies offer money-back guarantees for a set time frame, often 30, 60, or 90 days. See if the companies you’re considering offer any guarantees in case you’re dissatisfied with the services, as it can be difficult to know what will come of attempted credit repair.
How to Not Fall for Credit Repair Scams
If you’re thinking about working with a credit repair service, it’s important to choose a reputable option. Unfortunately, there are some shady companies in this industry eager to take advantage of financially vulnerable consumers, so doing your due diligence is essential.
Each company on our list is reputable and abides by Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA) regulations, but if you’d like to shop around further, you can start by looking at the CFPB Complaint Database. This database lets you review complaints about companies that consumers have logged with the CFPB since 2011. However, a lack of complaints doesn’t necessarily indicate a good company reputation—a company must respond to a complaint for it to be listed on the CFPB, so companies can avoid listings by not responding.
While it may be tempting to use services like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to research companies, that’s generally not the best approach. Companies can pay to become accredited on the BBB platform, which could make them seem more legitimate than they actually are.
We've carefully looked into and researched each of the businesses that we recommend listed above to ensure that they're legitimate credit repair companies. If you suspect a credit repair company you’ve come across is scamming customers or otherwise engaged in fraud, you can report them to the FTC.
What Are Some Warning Signs of Credit Repair Scams
- Pressuring you for upfront payment: Under the Credit Repair Organizations Act, credit repair companies can't request or receive payment until they've performed the promised services. However, legitimate businesses might set up monthly payment plans to get around this requirement.
- Promising to increase your credit score or remove any negative credit information: If a company claims it can remove all negative information from your credit report, including accurate and current information, it's lying.
- Refusing to explain your rights: If a company fails to explain your legal rights (or refuses to do so), that's a big red flag. This can include not informing you of what you can do by yourself for free, in addition to recommending you not contact any credit bureaus.
- Instructing you to be dishonest or misrepresent yourself: No legitimate credit repair company will ever ask you to lie on your loan application or to file a false identity theft report.
- Promising to create create a new credit identity or hide your bad credit history: When a credit repair company offers to do this, they'll typically do so with a stolen SSN or have you apply for EIN to use in place of your SSN. Applying for credit with a number other than your own is illegal, and you could face fines or even prison time.
How to Find a Credit Repair Company Near You
Some people prefer to work with local companies rather than connect with a company online. While discussing issues about your credit can feel embarrassing, a recommendation from a trusted loved one may provide peace of mind that the company you’re working with is legitimate.
As you compare options, search for company complaints in the CFPB database, review company websites and contact information, and research consumer review sites for insight. If possible, opt for companies that offer a free consultation so you can get a better sense of their services.
Working with a local company can be helpful if you’d like to speak with someone in person. But be aware that your options may be more limited depending on where you’re located.
Alternatives to Credit Repair Companies
While working with a credit repair company can be a good option for improving your credit score, it's just one of many possible solutions, and it won't be the right fit for everyone. Outside of trying to repair your credit on your own, you can consider seeking credit counseling or a debt settlement company.
Credit Counseling
A credit counseling agency often offers many of the same benefits that a credit repair company typically does, including reaching out to creditors on your behalf. Its primary function, however, is to work with you directly to devise money management strategies that'll help you avoid bankruptcy.
After analyzing your income, expenses, and debts, a credit counselor will provide advice and plans tailored to your financial situation. Working with one of these organizations can be a good alternative to a credit repair company if you know your credit report is accurate and primarily need help with budgeting, managing spending, and controlling debt.
Credit counselors are often nonprofit or not-for-profit agencies and, as such, many charge low fees (or nothing at all) for their services. This isn't always the case, however, so be sure to review what fees you may be charged, in addition to whether an agency will put a comment that you worked with them on your credit report (which could make you seem like a credit risk to prospective lenders).
Debt Settlement
Debt settlement companies are typically for-profit entities that work with creditors on your behalf. The biggest difference between debt settlement companies and credit repair companies is that the former negotiate with creditors to arrange settlements or even debt forgiveness on your behalf, whereas not all of the latter will contact your creditors for you, and those that do usually only do so to dispute errors on your credit report.
The main thing they have in common, however, is that neither type of company offers anything that you can't do yourself. In fact, some creditors will refuse to negotiate with debt settlement companies. Additionally, even if a company is able to have your debt reduced or forgiven, you will likely have to pay income taxes on the amount that was settled, and a debt settlement can remain on your credit report for seven years.
Legitimate companies offering something as enticing as debt forgiveness have also made this field fraught with scams. Be on the lookout for companies that promise fast debt settlements or try to charge fees upfront before they actually succeed in reducing your debt. Additionally, if a company instructs you to provide inaccurate or false personal information, illegally use an Employer Identification Number (EIN) instead of your Social Security Number (SSN), or do something else fraudulent when applying for credit, then you're dealing with a scam.
How Much Does a Credit Repair Company Cost?
Credit repair company costs can vary heavily, as different companies have different pricing structures. When you hire a credit repair company, you'll typically be charged a monthly fee. Prices can range from $19.00 to $149.00 per month, depending on the service you select.
Instead of charging a monthly fee, some credit repair companies use a performance-based billing model, wherein a client is charged a fee for each item on their credit report that the company challenges. Some companies will only charge you if they successfully have a negative mark deleted from your report, while others will levy a fee regardless of a challenge's success. Additionally, if a single error appears on more than one of your credit reports, a performance-based credit repair company may treat that as several items for billing purposes.
In addition to the sticker price of the service you choose, there may also be enrollment fees that would increase the overall cost. You have a right to cancel a credit repair service at any time, though you may be charged a cancellation fee.
Under the federal CROA, a credit repair company can neither request nor receive payment until it's completed the services it's promised to provide. If a company tries to get you to pay fees upfront before completing the promised service, you may be dealing with a scam.
Why You Should Trust Us
Investopedia collected and analyzed a wide range of key data points from several credit repair companies to identify the most important factors for readers choosing the right service to suit their needs. We used this data to review each company for costs and fees, services offered, customer experiences, and other features to provide unbiased, comprehensive reviews to ensure our readers make the right decision for their needs. Investopedia launched in 1999, and has been helping readers find the best credit repair companies since 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What’s the Fastest Way to Repair Your Credit?
Working with a credit repair service may be the fastest way to repair your credit if you need significant assistance. While these services generally don’t provide a set time frame for improvement, many will start working on your credit right after you sign up. However, even if a company starts work quickly, it can still take a few months or even longer to see changes in your credit reports and score.
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Are Credit Repair Companies Legit?
There are legitimate credit repair companies that, if hired, may be able to help improve your score by removing inaccurate information from your credit report. However, the industry is also full of scam artists posing as legitimate credit repair companies. If you encounter a business that promises it can remove all negative information from your credit report (including accurate information), requires you to pay them upfront, or suggests you dispute information you know is correct, you're almost certainly dealing with a scam.
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Can Credit Repair Companies Remove Bankruptcies and Collections?
Yes, it’s possible for credit repair companies to remove bankruptcies and collection accounts in certain instances. If you’ve paid off the debt, they could send a goodwill deletion request on your behalf. Or, if the account information is inaccurate or outdated, the credit repair service could file a dispute letter to get it removed. For instance, Chapter 13 bankruptcies are supposed to be removed from your credit reports after seven years.
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Do Credit Repair Companies Work?
Credit repair companies can work. Good credit repair companies will work on your behalf to have incorrect information removed from your credit report, potentially boosting your score as a result. However, if the information hurting your score is accurate, then there's nothing they can do to change that. Additionally, credit repair companies don't do anything you couldn't do by yourself.
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What Is the Best Option to Fix My Credit?
Outside of working with a credit repair company, there are a few different things you can do to fix a bad credit score. First, request a copy of your free credit report from one of the three major credit bureaus. Review your report, and if you find any errors, dispute that negative information with the respective bureau. Next, continue to make consistent, on-time payments on any concurrent debt you have. Be sure to prioritize paying off any overdue balances you may have. Once you've got a handle on your existing debt, then you may want to consider taking out new debt to improve your credit mix, but only do so if you're certain you can handle the additional payments.
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What Is a Good Credit Score?
As there is more than one credit score model, the exact range of where a "good" credit score falls will vary. With a FICO score, one of the most commonly used models, borrowers in the 670 to 739 range are considered to have good credit, while 740–799 indicates a "very good" credit history. Anyone with a score of 800 or more has an "excellent" rating, and scores between 580-669 and those below 580 are considered "fair" and "poor," respectively.
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What Is a Bad Credit Score?
Using the FICO model, any credit score below 580 is considered "poor," which is the lowest credit rating. Credit scores between 580-669 are often lumped into the "bad" category alongside poor scores. 300 is the lowest possible credit score most models allow for.
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Companies We Reviewed
We researched and reviewed 17 businesses to find the best credit repair companies listed above. While we write individual reviews for most companies, we do not always write reviews for companies we would not recommend. Below are the companies we researched along with links to individual company reviews to help you learn more before making a decision:
AMB Credit Consultants, Credilife, Credit Assistance Network, Credit Glory, Credit Saint, Credit Versio, CreditFirm.net, CreditRepair.com, CreditNerds, Lexington Law, Ovation, Sky Blue, The Credit Guru, The Credit People, The Credit Pros, Trinity Credit Services, USA Credit Repair
How We Pick the Best Credit Repair Companies
We evaluated 17 credit repair companies and collected over 600 data points before selecting our top choices. We weighed 39 criteria, giving the highest weights to those that are the most significant for customers.
The top picks were selected based on:
- Costs and fees (weighted 40.5% in total)
- Services offered (34%)
- Customer experience (22.5%)
- Stability (3%)
We took into account factors like how many disputes will be sent per month, what kinds of dispute letters will be sent, cancellation and return policies, and how long companies have been in business. This information was used in our company's star ratings and best picks. Learn more about how we evaluated credit repair companies in our complete methodology.
Guide to Credit Repair
Learn more about credit repair:
Investopedia / Joules Garcia