Similar to dentists, credit repair, unfortunately, has a reputation that most people want to avoid. People don't want anyone messing with their credit, and they dread dealing with credit repair companies. It's unfortunate that anyone can start a credit repair company by just having a heartbeat and the ability to persuade. This fact means that there's a credit repair company on every corner just like McDonald's. Being in the credit repair industry for 15 years and leading one of the biggest credit repair companies in the country, I'm well aware of the scrutiny that our industry faces, and most of the criticisms are accurate.
Bad credit is an epidemic that's getting worse by the day. The rise of credit repair companies in the past year alone is an indication of the many options available for credit repair. As a result, consumers must do their due diligence to ensure they don't get taken advantage of.
As the owner of a credit repair business, I've been fortunate enough to assist over 20,000 individuals in improving their credit and changing their lives. As a gesture of giving back, I intend to provide clarity and transparency on how our industry works and provide the necessary tools to assist consumers in selecting the right credit repair company.
Contents:
How to Find the Best Credit Repair Company in Hillsboro
Types of Credit Repair Companies in Hillsboro: What's the Difference?
The Credit Repair Process in Hillsboro
Credit Repair Alone is Not Enough
Free Credit Repair Services in Hillsboro
Helpful Advice Before Choosing a Credit Repair Company
How to Find the Best Credit Repair Company in Hillsboro
If you're looking for a credit repair company in Hillsboro, it can be hard to know where to start. As someone who's been working in the industry for 15 years, I know that a company's reputation is everything. But with so many fly-by-night operators out there, it can be hard to tell the good from the bad. Here are three steps you can take to find a reputable credit repair company in your area:
Step 1: Make a List
Start by doing a quick Google search for credit repair companies in Hillsboro. Look for companies that have a good or acceptable Google review rating and that are close to your home. While you're not required to use a local company, it can be reassuring to know that you can show up at their office unannounced if you need to. Make a list of the top candidates.
Step 2: Check Their Reputation
Once you have a list of potential companies, it's time to check their reputation. Look for companies that have an established online presence, including a website that's been online for at least three years. Use a tool like https://archive.org/web/ to check their website history. Also, make sure they have enough reviews to give you a clear picture of their reputation. Scan through the reviews to make sure they are legitimate and accurate.
Step 3: Make the Call
Finally, it's time to make the call. Most companies do not answer the phone during business hours, which can be a red flag. When you call, ask a few questions to get a better idea of what you'll be working with. Ask about their experience, licensing, and bonding. Find out if they have a physical office you can visit. Ask if they offer a free consultation and a money-back guarantee. Finally, ask about their fee structure and how long the process typically takes.
Following these steps will help you find a reputable credit repair company in Hillsboro that can help you achieve your financial goals. Remember, it's important to do your due diligence and research each company thoroughly before making a decision.
Types of Credit Repair Companies in Hillsboro: What's the Difference?
The United States has over a million financial service companies, including credit repair companies. With so many options available, it can be challenging to differentiate between experienced and inexperienced credit repair companies. To better understand credit repair services, here are the three types of credit repair companies you will find, including:
Flat fee companies
Only 5% of companies operate on this structure, making it the best way to quickly achieve desired results and save money. Flat fee companies only charge for the accounts they dispute, giving them an incentive to complete the services as soon as possible. The credit repair company examines your credit reports, provides a consultation, quotes you a price, and charges a one-time fee.
Monthly fee companies
Most credit repair companies charge monthly fees, but they don't examine your credit reports. Companies that use this model do not fit all clients; it doesn't motivate the credit repair company to remedy your credit quickly. The credit repair company is disputing only a few items at a time, which prolongs the process.
Pay for Delete
Fewer companies offer this model, but it offers an interesting and enticing way to pay for credit repair. Pay for Delete works on the principle of paying only for results. Credit repair companies will charge for each item removed, which can get expensive over time.
Although flat fee companies are recommended, it's essential to research and compare different companies based on your preferences.
The Credit Repair Process in Hillsboro
There are many opinions about credit repair and the process, but a lot of the advice out there is outdated or not useful. The credit repair process is continuously improving, but with law changes and regulations, it's always changing. However, credit repair isn't complicated, but credit reporting agencies sometimes put processes and procedures in place to stop effective dispute processes, limiting the consumer's control over their disputes. It's essential to keep up with changes to provide the best results for clients.
Let's talk about the process. When credit repair became popular in 2015, users found success with not mine disputes. People disputed every negative and derogatory account, and the credit reporting agencies would remove them quickly because they claimed they were not theirs. However, similar accounts removed in month one would reappear in month three after the secondary legal reinvestigation process. The credit reporting agencies developed e-OSCAR to filter out inaccurate and frivolous dispute letters, making it challenging to get results within the dispute process. Nowadays, unique and new dispute tactics become more effective with credit repair.
The new, effective credit repair process involves contesting the validity of any account on your credit report, which means you can ask for account validation to ensure that it is yours and valid. Instead of disputing only errors on your credit report, request that the data furnisher provide proof of the account. This includes signed original documents or payment ledgers indicating all transactions made on the account. Use any evidence you have to request that the error be fixed or deleted.
As to what account documentation to ask for, it depends on the original loan that was authorized. If you're unsure, call the non-customer service line and ask what documents need to be submitted or signed. You can also do a quick Google search. Soon, a blog on this topic will be posted on this page, including all the documents you can request. Stay tuned for more information.
Credit Repair Alone is Not Enough
What is the driving force behind how your credit score is calculated? Your personal finances. It explains why millions of Americans have credit problems. Think of your credit score as the stock market; it fluctuates based on your financial situation. Credit repair is just one tool to assist in fixing the derogatory accounts in your credit report, but it's not a definitive solution. For sustained and stable credit, you must first take control of your personal finances. If you can't keep your finances in check, your credit score will continue to move erratically, causing fluctuations or drops. Prioritize fixing your financial situation, such as paying down your current balances, paying all your accounts on time, and minimizing the use of credit cards, instead of investing in credit repair. Fixing your financial deficit is the best way to ensure long-term credit sustainability. If you can get your finances in order, your credit score will follow suit, and overall decreases in your credit scores will become fewer.
Breaking the Endless Credit Repair Cycle
Frequently, our industry deals with repeat clients, those in an endless cycle of repairing their credit. Credit repair shouldn't be a continuous cycle; it's a one-time fix. Instead of pouring your money into credit repair, prioritize your financial situation by using your paycheck to pay down your balances before seeking further credit repair. Though it's ideal to fix your credit while rectifying your finances simultaneously, most people can't afford to do this. Instead, my advice is to concentrate on settling your financial situation first. This focus will ensure lastingly fixed credit.
Free Credit Repair Services in Hillsboro
It's a common question to ask: Can I fix my credit for free? The answer is yes, you can, by following the steps provided on my blogs, it is possible to repair your credit like a professional. However, the cost of this method usually comes in the form of time, which is hefty. It's within your legal right to dispute your credit report at any time, but most people don't have the time or simply don't want to put in the work. That's where professional credit repair companies come in handy. They do all the work for you. But, if you're willing to commit to a few hours every month to dispute your credit report, you can save some money. For more details on this, check out my blog post on 'Repair your credit like the pros'.
Offering a testimonial or review does wonders when you're starting out in the credit repair industry. I used to offer free credit repair in exchange for reviews, to get my business off the ground. This strategy worked wonders for me. There are other credit repair companies out there that would likely do the same thing if you're in need of credit repair and are willing to leave a glowing review. To find a company, check out 'Credit Repair' Facebook groups or make a simple post asking for help with credit concerns in exchange for a detailed review. You'll probably get some negativity, but don't worry, there will be someone willing to help you with free credit repair.
Helpful Advice Before Choosing a Credit Repair Company
1. Conduct proper research when seeking a reliable credit repair company that can assist you in permanently fixing your credit. As this requires extensive exploration and contacting various service providers, it is critical to ensure you are not wasting your resources.
2. Along with repairing your credit, work on your personal finances as it is the major cause of most people's financial problems. Many people squander their earnings trying to enhance their credit, only to blame credit repair for not working later on. However, the root cause of their credit issues is their poor spending and saving habits.
3. Credit repair operations have been successful in transforming the lives of over twenty thousand clients. It is only after addressing personal finances that credit repair can be a swift, simple, and practically permanent solution.
4. Do not lose hope – You can take control of your financial situation with credit repair by fixing both your credit and personal finance.