Similar to dentists, credit repair services can oftentimes be seen as a hassle or an unwanted intrusion. The reality is that anyone with the ability to persuade and a pulse can start a credit repair company, leading to an abundance of such companies, similar to the abundance of McDonald's franchises. As someone who has been in the credit repair industry for 15 years and manages one of the biggest credit repair companies in the nation, I am well aware of the negative perception that our industry receives, and much of it is warranted.
Unfortunately, bad credit is becoming an epidemic, and the rise of credit repair companies in recent years is a testament to this growing concern. It is crucial for consumers to conduct their research to ensure that they do not fall prey to shady or unscrupulous credit repair providers.
Having helped over 20,000 individuals repair their credit and improve their lives, it is my honor to give back by providing an insider's perspective on how the credit repair industry operates. My goal is to offer transparency and insights that will empower you to make the best decisions when hiring a credit repair company.
Table of Contents
How to find the best credit repair company in Akron
Different Credit Repair Companies in Akron: Exploring the Differences
The Credit Repair Process in Akron
Importance of Personal Finances in Credit Repair
Free Credit Repair Services in Akron
Helpful Tips for Credit Repair
How to find the best credit repair company in Akron
Whenever someone asks me about the best credit repair company, I always advise them to conduct research and due diligence to determine the best option for them instead of recommending my company. While online reviews can be helpful, they are not always reliable. Therefore, I have compiled a list of things you can do to identify the best credit repair company in Akron.
Start with a list
Use Google to find credit repair companies in Akron with a decent online reputation. Focus on companies close to your location to allow for random visits.
Reputation
It's essential to list only companies with excellent online exposure and reputation, as fly-by-night credit repair firms are prevalent. Ensure that the reviews are genuine and accurate, avoiding basing your judgment on fake Google reviews.
Make the call
After shortlisting companies, contact them using the available phone numbers. A company that does not answer the call can make an unsound decision. Use the following questions when calling to assess their reliability:
-How long have you been in business, and do you have a license and bond? Can I see a copy of your bond?
-Do you have a physical office where I meet the team?
-Do you provide free consultations?
-Do you offer a money-back guarantee?
-What is your fee structure? Is it a flat fee or a monthly charge?
-How long does the process usually take?
These questions aim to help you make informed decisions about the best credit repair company.
Different Credit Repair Companies in Akron: Exploring the Differences
There are more than a million active credit repair and financial service companies in the United States, making it difficult to distinguish experienced from inexperienced companies. In this article, we will help you understand the three types of credit repair companies you can find.
Flat Fee Companies
Flat Fee credit repair companies are the fastest and most cost-effective option. Typically, they only charge for accounts they dispute, and you pay a one-time fee for the service. This way, credit repair companies have an incentive to complete services as quickly as possible. Before providing the service, the company will do a consultation to assess how they can assist you with your credit reports and quote you a price based on your accounts.
Monthly Fee Companies
Most credit repair companies charge monthly fees, which we do not believe are efficient. Some companies never review your credit reports, leading us to wonder how they can assist you. The credit repair company usually only disputes a few items at a time, which can take a long time if you have multiple negative accounts. Although you may pay less monthly, the overall cost can accumulate over time.
Pay for Delete
This model is less common but more appealing since you only pay for results. The credit repair company is incentivized to deliver results but will charge a lot for each item removed. Despite the attractive proposition, ensure you understand the fee structure. Some credit repair companies consider an account that reports to all three credit bureaus as three items; as a result, you may end up spending a lot of money to remove one account from all three credit reports.
A flat fee company is our recommended option, as it is the best choice for most clients. It is important to research and make your own calculations to make the best decision for yourself.
The Credit Repair Process in Akron
When it comes to credit repair, there's a lot of advice out there, but much of it is either outdated or unhelpful. As an industry veteran of 15 years, I can tell you that credit repair is not complicated. Still, credit reporting agencies always try to outsmart the consumer with their processes and procedures. With changing regulations and laws, credit repair is a constantly evolving process that requires keeping up-to-date to get the best results for clients.
A Brief History of the Process
With the rise of credit repair's popularity starting in 2015, people began to see success through disputing negative accounts using a process called "not mine disputes." Users saw immediate results by forcing the credit reporting agencies to delete the accounts. However, this tactic didn't last, as accounts were removed in a month, and one would often reappear after a secondary investigation process. The credit reporting agencies soon refined their processes, making getting results within the dispute process more challenging.
The New and Effective Credit Repair Process
The process of contesting the validity of any account on your credit report has always been available, but most people don't understand it. It's your legal right to ask the data furnisher to verify the account, and you should request proof of the account's validity, such as original signed documents or payment ledgers. If you find an error, use your proof to request that it be fixed or deleted.
What Account Documentation to Ask For
The documentation required to authorize a new loan varies, so a quick call as a non-customer or a Google search can provide more information. Soon, a blog on this topic will be available to help you navigate the process.
Importance of Personal Finances in Credit Repair
When it comes to personal credit, it is important to understand the driving force behind credit scores. Personal finances play a crucial role in determining creditworthiness and credit scores. The financial habits of millions of Americans with bad credit highlight this connection.
Credit Repair is Only Part of the Solution
Credit repair is one of the tools that can be used to fix derogatory accounts on your credit report; however, it’s not a one-stop-shop solution. To achieve sustainable credit, it is important to have control over your personal finances. Credit strength is likely to deteriorate if you don’t take control of your finances and start paying down any revolving credit balances, paying all accounts on time, and minimizing the use of credit cards.
Get Your Personal Finances in Line First
Before investing in credit repair, it is important to first work on paying down debt and managing personal finances to ensure credit sustainability. Small balances on credit cards, paid off on time, help to keep credit accounts active. However, focusing attention on fixing financial deficits is critical to achieving credit sustainability, resulting in fewer large decreases in overall credit scores.
The Endless Credit Repair Cycle
Where clients’ financial situations are neglected, credit repair becomes an endless cycle. ‘Repeat’ clients become a huge problem in the industry, as they pour money into credit repair instead of paying down balances and correcting underlying problems. For long-term credit repair, it is essential to focus on getting personal finances in line to break the cycle.
To achieve long-term credit sustainability, focusing on personal finances plays a crucial role in credit repair. Sustainable habits, such as paying off balances and minimizing credit card use, are important in achieving credit repair goals.
Free Credit Repair Services in Akron
People frequently ask if there's a way to fix their credit for free. The good news is that it's possible to do so, or at least for the cost of paper and a stamp, by taking the necessary measures yourself. Although I have shared the steps to mend credit like the experts in my numerous blog posts, free services normally require a great deal of time. While you have the legal right to dispute your credit report at any time, the majority of individuals are either unwilling to put in the effort or don't have the time to do it. In such cases, it's recommended to engage a professional credit repair firm to fix your credit. However, if you have 2-4 hours to spare each month for a free credit report dispute, consider following my blog post on "Repair your credit like the pros."
Leave a Testimonial or Review for a Free Credit Repair
When I began working in credit repair in the early 2000s, I used to offer free credit repair to random people in exchange for testimonials or reviews. Since I had no testimonials or reviews back then, I would ask people to let me fix their credit in return for a review or testimonial, and they would get complimentary credit repair services. While sending out their disputes might cost me, the overall value of the review far exceeded the minor cost of credit repair. The point is several newly-established credit repair businesses would be ready to offer the same service I used to. So, join "Credit Repair" Facebook groups and make a simple post requesting a new credit repair business owner to help you with your credit concerns in return for an in-depth 5-star review. You might encounter some haters, but you should have no difficulty finding a credit repair service for free.
Helpful Tips for Credit Repair
Conduct thorough research to find the best credit repair company that can assist you in permanently fixing your credit.
Although it requires a lot of outreach and research efforts with different credit repair companies, it is crucial to make certain that you are not wasting your money or your time.
Work on your personal finances, as they are typically the root cause of most people's credit issues. Rather than spending your paychecks to address your credit problems, first focus on identifying and changing your bad spending and saving habits.
Credit repair can be successful; I have witnessed it change the lives of over twenty thousand clients. However, it begins with you. You need to take control of your financial situation before credit repair can provide a fast, easy, and permanent solution.
Don't give up hope; you have the necessary skills to do this!