Regrettably, credit repair has a negative connotation similar to that of dentistry. People often don't want anyone tinkering with their finances and loathe the idea of dealing with credit repair. It's unfortunate that practically anyone with a heartbeat and persuasive skills can open a credit repair business. Consequently, credit repair companies are now as ubiquitous as fast-food chains. By being in the credit repair industry for 15 years and operating one of the largest credit repair firms in the country, I have a deep understanding of the criticisms our sector faces. Sadly, much of it is valid.
Bad credit is a growing problem that affects millions of people. The boom of credit repair companies in the previous year highlights the enormous number of firms available to consumers. Consequently, customers must conduct intense research to ensure they don't fall victim to fraud.
The perks of being a credit repair business owner include transforming people's lives. With over 20,000 satisfied clients, I want to offer transparency and clarity about how our industry works. My aim is to provide consumers with the tools they need to make the best possible decision when hiring credit repair services.
Table of Contents
How to Find the Best Credit Repair Company in Kansas City
Different Credit Repair Companies in Kansas City: What Sets Them Apart?
The Credit Repair Process in Kansas City
The Importance of Addressing Personal Finances Before Credit Repair
Free Credit Repair Services in Kansas City
Expert Tips for Successful Credit Repair
How to Find the Best Credit Repair Company in Kansas City
When clients ask me about the top credit repair companies in Kansas City, I don't directly promote my firm. Instead, I advise them to do their own research and exercise due diligence to make an informed decision. While online reviews can be helpful, they may not always represent the true picture. I strongly advise against selecting a company without performing proper research, but rather recommend doing your own analysis to find the best credit repair company. Based on my 15 years of experience, persuasion is not the ideal method to influence customers; rather, providing conviction through research is more effective. To assist you further, I have compiled a comprehensive list of things essential for helping you determine which credit repair company to hire.
Begin by making a list of suitable companies. A quick Google search can provide companies in the Kansas City area with a good or acceptable rating. It's best to compile a local list to ensure security by selecting an organization close to your home.
After creating your list, look into the credibility of each company. Consider only those with a good online presence, a good reputation, and an established website lasting at least three years. Verify if the reviews are legitimate and accurate before making a decision.
The next critical step is to start making calls. Contact the companies on your list and ask critical questions regarding their practices and procedures.
Here are a few questions recommended by our experts:
-How long have you been in business? Are you unlicensed and bonded? If so, can you provide a copy of your bond?
-Do you have a physical location where I can come in and meet the team?
-Do you offer a free consultation?
-Do you offer a money-back guarantee?
-What is your fee structure? Is it a flat or monthly charge?
-What is the average duration of the complete process?
Use the responses to analyze and compare each credit repair company. Through this process, you will be able to make the best decisions that suit your requirements.
Different Credit Repair Companies in Kansas City: What Sets Them Apart?
There are more than one million active credit repair and financial service companies in the U.S. alone. While the variety gives you more options, it can also be confusing to choose a company that can provide quality service. To better understand credit repair, we distinguish three common types of credit repair companies.
Flat Fee Companies
Out of all credit repair companies, only 5% operate under a flat fee structure. However, flat fee credit repair is the best option if you wish to get speedy and affordable services. Upon consultation, the credit repair company will examine your credit reports and provide a quote based on the accounts they dispute. You'll only pay for the disputed accounts and a one-time fee for the service. Since the company has an incentive to complete their services as fast as they can, flat fee services typically have shorter completion timelines. Most mortgage companies prefer working with flat fee service providers because it shortens the pre-approval process. Opting for flat fee companies might help you save more money while getting excellent results.
Monthly Fee Companies
While most credit repair companies follow a monthly fee structure, it may not always be the best option for all clients. Most monthly fee providers don't analyze your credit report, which makes us wonder how they can help. With extended service times, monthly fee companies are more likely to dispute a few items at a time. You might pay a lower out-of-pocket fee each month, but the cumulative charges could get costly. The longer you stay with the company, the longer they can charge monthly fees without necessarily speeding up the credit repair process.
Pay for Delete
Only a few credit repair companies offer a pay-for-delete credit repair model that entails paying only for the results. This structure pressures the company to deliver since they receive payment only when they show progress. However, most people get into trouble with this model since they fail to look at fee structures. This method charges a lot per item removed. If an account affects all three credit bureaus, then removing the account is treated as three items, and thus you end up paying huge sums of money, contributing to the high cost of the service.
Ultimately, a flat fee company is our top recommendation, but conducting research and cost calculations is always encouraged before making your choice.
The Credit Repair Process in Kansas City
When it comes to credit repair, there are many opinions out there about the best way to go about it. However, much of the advice can be outdated or ineffective. As someone who's been in the industry for 15 years, I've seen the process evolve and change with new regulations and laws. While credit repair itself isn't complicated, credit reporting agencies will often try to impede effective dispute processes by implementing procedures that force customers to use limited online platforms. This is why it's essential to stay up-to-date on changes to provide the best results to clients.
A Look at the Process
Credit repair became popular in 2015, and many users found success with "not mine" disputes, where negative accounts were disputed under the claim that they did not belong to them. However, this process was short-lived, and the credit reporting agencies created new procedures, such as e-OSCAR, to filter out frivolous disputes. Today, new and unique dispute tactics are necessary to get items corrected or deleted from your credit report.
The New and Effective Credit Repair Process
The process is simple, but most people aren't using it effectively. It's your legal right to contest any account's validity on your credit report. Requesting proof of an account's validity is the first step, and if there's an error detected, then responding by asking for it to be fixed or deleted is the best course of action. Asking for original signed documents or payment ledgers is a good way to start. If you're not sure what documents to request, you can call a non-customer to ask what's required to authorize a new loan. Stay tuned for a blog post with all the essential documentation you can request.
The Importance of Addressing Personal Finances Before Credit Repair
The driving force behind a credit score is personal finance. It is essential to understand this fact, especially when millions of Americans struggle with credit issues. Personal finances are like the stock market- they fluctuate based on one's personal financial situation. Credit repair is one of the ways to fix derogatory accounts on your credit report, but it is not a comprehensive solution. To ensure sustainable credit, it is crucial to make personal finances a priority. This means paying off credit balances, consistently paying accounts on time, and reducing the use of credit cards. Before investing in credit repair, individuals need to focus on getting their financial deficit in line. Failure to do so results in an endless cycle of credit repair, where individuals pour money into it instead of using their paychecks to pay down balances. Therefore, it is crucial to get finances in line so that credit can be fixed for good.
Free Credit Repair Services in Kansas City
A common query that surfaces frequently is how to repair credit without paying a fee. The answer is that it is possible to do so without incurring an expense, except for the cost of stationery and postage, by completing the repair services personally. I have written several blogs outlining professional methods on how to repair credit without spending any money, but do note that these free methods require a significant investment of time. You have a legal right to challenge your credit report whenever you wish, however, most people tend to refrain from taking any action or are too busy to undertake the challenge. For those who prefer not to take their credit repair themselves, it is highly recommended to pay a professional credit repair agency to resolve the issue. If you are willing to invest about 2-4 hours a month to challenge your credit report for free, I suggest checking out my "Credit Repair Like the Pros†blog post to obtain useful tips.
Provide a Testimonial or Review
When I initially dabbled in credit repair in the early 2000s, I provided free credit repair services to people in exchange for a testimonial or review. Back then, I did not have any reviews or testimonials, so I asked people if I could repair their credit in exchange for a detailed testimonial or review. In return, the client was given credit repair services without any fees. While I did bear the cost of sending out the disputes, the value of the review was considerably higher than the cost of credit repair. The point is that many new credit repair companies are willing to offer the same service. My suggestion is to join Facebook groups dedicated to "Credit Repair," post a simple message like this, and find professionals who are willing to assist:
“I’m looking for a new credit repair business owner who would be willing to help me with some credit concerns in exchange for an immensely detailed 5 star review.â€
The comments may not all be in your favor, but you should have no difficulty finding someone to fix your credit for free.
Expert Tips for Successful Credit Repair
If you're serious about restoring your credit scores and regaining financial freedom, there are a few key things you need to do. First, take the time to thoroughly research credit repair companies before signing up with one. There are many shady operators out there who will take your money without delivering results. Second, focus on improving your own financial habits and tackling the root causes of your credit issues. No amount of credit repair will compensate for reckless spending or poor saving strategies. Finally, don't lose hope or patience during the credit repair process. With persistence and diligence, you can follow in the footsteps of over 20,000 satisfied clients who have seen their credit scores soar thanks to credit repair services. Remember: credit repair is only part of the solution; personal financial responsibility is the foundation.