Regrettably, credit repair tends to receive a reputation that is similar to that of dentists; people generally don't want anyone messing with them, and they don't enjoy dealing with them. Being able to persuade and having a pulse is all you need to start a credit repair company, making credit repair companies as prevalent as McDonald’s restaurants on every street corner. Having worked in the credit repair industry for 15 years and running one of the country's biggest credit repair companies, I understand the skepticism our industry receives, and unfortunately, a lot of it is valid.The issue of bad credit is a growing problem that is only getting worse. The emergence of credit repair companies over the last year alone demonstrates the numerous options available, which means that as a consumer, you need to undertake extensive research to ensure that you don't become a victim of a scam. As a credit repair business owner, I have had the pleasure of helping over 20,000 individuals and changing their lives for the better. As a way of giving back, I want to offer transparency and clarity on how our industry works, providing you with the resources to make an informed decision when choosing a credit repair company.
Table of Contents
How to Choose the Best Credit Repair Company in Montgomery
Different Types of Credit Repair Companies in Montgomery
The Credit Repair Process in Montgomery
The Importance of Personal Finances for Credit Sustainability
Free Credit Repair Services in Montgomery
Some useful suggestions for credit repair
How to Choose the Best Credit Repair Company in Montgomery
When it comes to selecting a credit repair company, it’s essential to do your due diligence and research to find the perfect fit for your needs. While online reviews can help, not all of them are trustworthy. It’s critical to build your own list of contenders and follow these tips to narrow it down:
Begin Your Search
Start by looking online for credit repair companies in Montgomery with positive Google review ratings that are nearby. While it’s not necessary to choose a local company, if you want to feel safer knowing you can visit the office anytime, go local.
Check Their Reputation
Be sure to choose a company with a trustworthy online presence and reputation. Some credit repair firms may come and go, so use a website like archive.org to check how long a company’s website has been online and read legitimate reviews from past clients.
Make Your Calls Count
Once you’ve researched all of your options, it’s time to contact the credit repair companies you’ve shortlisted. When calling, ask important questions regarding their experience, license, location, free consultation, fees, and guarantees, so you can evaluate and compare information to find the ideal fit for your situation.
By following these steps, you can make an informed decision and choose the most effective and affordable credit repair company in Montgomery.
Different Types of Credit Repair Companies in Montgomery
In Montgomery, there are approximately 1 million active credit repair and financial service companies. With a plethora of options, it can be challenging to differentiate between experienced and non-experienced companies. It's crucial to understand the three different types of credit repair firms before choosing one that suits your needs.
Flat Fee Companies
Flat fee companies are considered the best way to get the fastest results and save the most money in the process. These companies usually bill you only for the accounts they dispute, and you pay a one-time fee for this service. Most flat fee services are faster because they have an incentive to complete your services quickly. A consultation is done by the credit repair company to determine if they can help you based on your credit reports. A loan officer was the referrer, and they wanted a company that charged a flat fee.
Monthly Fee Companies
Most credit repair companies charge monthly fees. This model isn't suitable for all clients since most companies don't examine your credit report before charging you. These companies have no motivation to fix your credit fast, as the longer you stay in the program, the longer they collect a fee from you. They usually dispute a few items at a time, which means the process can take 6-8 months to get full results. Although you may be paying less each month, the fees can add up, making the model quite expensive.
Pay for Delete
Fewer companies offer this model for credit repair. You only pay for the results in the Pay for Delete model. However, most people don't realize what they're getting into until it's too late. The process can be costly since a company charges a fee for each deleted item, which can add up fast. It's essential to understand the fee structure and, if they remove all your accounts from your credit report, how much you would pay.Although we recommend choosing a flat fee company, it's crucial to do your calculations and research before making a final decision.
The Credit Repair Process in Montgomery
When it comes to credit repair, there are many opinions about the process. However, outdated or misguided advice is abundant in this industry. Having been in this field for 15 years, I can personally attest to the need for constant trial and error to improve the process. The credit repair process is ever-changing, and with regulatory changes and legal developments, nothing remains static. The credit reporting agencies strive to outsmart consumers, implementing processes and procedures to restrict dispute processes. Therefore, it is essential to keep up with the changes to offer the best credit repair results to our clients.Let's discuss this process. The "not mine" dispute process was popular in 2015, which allowed clients to dispute all negative and derogatory accounts and get immediate results. However, when a secondary legal reinvestigation process took place, many clients saw the same accounts return within a few months. Now, with more refined processes such as e-OSCAR, it is hard for people to get results within the dispute process if they are not using new, innovative dispute tactics.To use an effective credit repair process, you must understand your legal right to contest the validity of any account on your credit report. This requires requesting data furnishers like creditors or collection agencies to provide proof of the account's validity. Though you can only dispute errors from this point, it is crucial to provide relevant accounts' correct data to contest validity accurately. In case of any errors or inaccuracies, use evidence to respond and have the information corrected or deleted.Finally, the correct documentation to request depends on the original loan authorization. If you are uncertain what documents to request, calling as a non-customer or conducting a quick Google search can provide these details. Stay tuned for a blog post to learn more about this process in Montgomery.
The Importance of Personal Finances for Credit Sustainability
Understanding the Drivers of Credit Scores
Personal credit scores are determined by personal finances and credit records. Many people face credit issues due to bad financial habits.
Credit Repair is just one part of the Equation
Credit repair is a great way to address derogatory accounts on your credit report, but it's not the solution to all of your credit problems.
Prioritize Personal Finances for Sustainable Credit
Sustainable credit requires sustainable personal finances. You can use credit repair to improve your credit score, but it's equally essential to work on improving your financial situation.
The Endless Credit Repair Cycle
Credit repair can become an endless cycle if you don't focus on improving your financial situation as well. Many clients come back again and again for credit repair because they pour their money into credit repair without addressing their financial situation first. The best way to address this cycle is to fix your finances first and then focus on credit repair.
Free Credit Repair Services in Montgomery
Many people wonder if there is a way to get credit repair services for free. The answer is yes! You can fix your credit without spending a dime, or at most, the expense of paper and postage, by doing it yourself. While the steps to repairing your credit are available for free, they require a significant time commitment. You can exercise your legal right to dispute your credit report independently. However, most people prefer to hire a professional credit repair company because they lack time or are unwilling to put in the work. If you are willing to commit 2-4 hours per month to repair your credit report, you can go to our blog and learn how to fix your credit like professionals. If the idea of spending time fixing your credit is unappealing, we recommend hiring a professional.
Leave a testimonial or review
Our owner used to offer free credit repair services to people in exchange for a testimonial or review when starting in the credit repair industry. He would offer to fix people's credit for free in exchange for their review. While it cost him to send out the disputes, the value he received from the reviews was worth much more. Many new credit repair companies are willing to provide the same service. If you are looking for free credit repair, search credit repair groups on Facebook, and make a post asking for someone to help you with your credit concerns in exchange for a detailed 5-star review. You may encounter some negativity, but there is likely someone who is willing to help you repair your credit for free.
Here are the primary points:
1. You can repair your credit for free by investing your time.
2. Some people prefer to hire professionals to do the work.
3. You can search for a credit repair company on Facebook to see if they offer free services in exchange for reviews.
Some Useful Suggestions For Credit Repair
To find the best credit repair company that can offer a lasting solution, it is important to conduct thorough research. As time-consuming as this may be, it is crucial to ensure that you are not wasting your time and resources. Besides, it is equally vital to work on your personal finances, which is the underlying cause of most credit problems. It is a common phenomenon for people to misuse their paychecks to fix their credit while failing to address the root cause of their problems, which is poor spending and saving habits. Consequently, they may wrongly conclude that credit repair is a scam, whereas it is their failure to address their finances that is hindering them. The truth is that credit repair works, and I have witnessed over twenty thousand clients whose lives changed for the better. It all starts with you taking control of your finances before seeking credit repair, which can be a quick, easy, and permanent solution. So, have hope and keep moving forward!