You can work on your credit without getting a credit repair company involved. The following steps can help you get started.
Even if the information is true, you may be able to get it taken off your report if it hurts your credit. For example, if your credit report shows that you were 60 days late on a credit card payment, you can call the credit card company and ask if it can be taken off.
Yates says that your chances are better if the account is open and even better if it is in good standing. "If the account is closed or has been sent to collections, the company doesn't have much reason to help you, but that doesn't mean it wouldn't be worth a try."
If you have an unpaid bill that has been sent to a debt collector, you can try to work out a deal to pay less than the full amount owed.
"Once it's cleared up, they may be willing to take it off your credit report no matter what you agree to," says Yates. "At the very least, you don't want it to show up as unpaid, and even if it is paid, it's still a good idea to ask them if they'd be willing to take it off, since they've already been paid."
People who have credit problems because of something like a medical emergency or a divorce can add a short statement to their credit report to explain what happened. Yates says that this won't help you get a credit decision right away, but it can help when someone looks at your report in depth, like for a mortgage.
Good credit habits should be formed.
In addition to these steps, you should also get into the habit of making payments on time and using less of your credit. As you work to improve your credit score, make sure you know what factors go into it.
Even if the information is true, you may be able to get it taken off your report if it hurts your credit. For example, if your credit report shows that you were 60 days late on a credit card payment, you can call the credit card company and ask if it can be taken off.
Yates says that your chances are better if the account is open and even better if it is in good standing. "If the account is closed or has been sent to collections, the company doesn't have much reason to help you, but that doesn't mean it wouldn't be worth a try."
If you have an unpaid bill that has been sent to a debt collector, you can try to work out a deal to pay less than the full amount owed.
"Once it's cleared up, they may be willing to take it off your credit report no matter what you agree to," says Yates. "At the very least, you don't want it to show up as unpaid, and even if it is paid, it's still a good idea to ask them if they'd be willing to take it off, since they've already been paid."
People who have credit problems because of something like a medical emergency or a divorce can add a short statement to their credit report to explain what happened. Yates says that this won't help you get a credit decision right away, but it can help when someone looks at your report in depth, like for a mortgage.
Good credit habits should be formed.
In addition to these steps, you should also get into the habit of making payments on time and using less of your credit. As you work to improve your credit score, make sure you know what factors go into it.
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