Similar to dentists, credit repair unfortunately has a negative reputation. Most people do not want someone messing with their credit, nor do they want to deal with it. However, opening up a credit repair company is easy as long as you have a heartbeat and persuasive skills. This has led to an increase in credit repair businesses, similar to how there is a McDonald's on every corner. As someone who has been in the credit repair industry for 15 years and running one of the largest credit repair companies nationally, I understand the skepticism our industry receives, and unfortunately, some of it is valid.
Bad credit is an epidemic that continues to grow, evidenced by the influx of credit repair companies in the past year. As a consumer, it is your responsibility to do proper research to ensure you don't get taken advantage of. As a credit repair business owner, I have had the pleasure of serving more than 20,000 individuals and changing their lives. As a way to give back, I want to provide transparency and clarity regarding how our industry operates and offer you the necessary tools to make an informed choice when hiring a credit repair company.
Contents:
How to Find the Best Credit Repair Company in Wilmington
Different Credit Repair Companies in Wilmington, What Sets Them Apart?
The Credit Repair Process in Wilmington
The Importance of Personal Finances in Credit Repair
Free Credit Repair Services in Wilmington
My Final Suggestion...
How to Find the Best Credit Repair Company in Wilmington
When someone asks me about finding the best credit repair company, I don't suggest my company immediately. Instead, I advise them to conduct thorough research. Though online reviews can help, they are not always trustworthy. Therefore, I share a list of things to determine the best credit repair company in the Wilmington area.
1. Build a list:
Do a Google search and prepare a list of companies in your area that have a good Google review rating and are close to your home.
2. Consider reputation:
Only add companies with a good online presence and reputation to your list. Check if their website has been online for at least three years and go through reviews to avoid fake feedback.
3. Make the call:
After shortlisting companies, call them and ask meaningful questions. Ensure they've been in business for a sufficient time and offer a physical office where you can meet them. Find out if they offer a free consultation, a money-back guarantee, and inquire about their fee structure and average process duration.
These questions provide a framework for decision-making, enabling you to choose efficiently and cost-effectively.
Different Credit Repair Companies in Wilmington, What Sets Them Apart?
In Wilmington alone, there are over 1 million financial service companies, including credit repair companies to choose from. While the vast selection gives you more options, it can be difficult to decide on the best one. To help, here are three types of credit repair companies with their own unique approaches to consider:
1. Flat Fee Companies
Only 5% of companies operate on a flat fee system, but it is widely considered the most efficient and affordable. After consulting with you and examining your credit report, a flat fee company will quote a one-time fee for disputing specific accounts. With a single fee, these companies have an incentive to work quickly, allowing for the fastest results. The flat fee system is so beneficial that Wilmington’s mortgage companies only refer clients to credit repair companies that offer it.
2. Monthly Fee Companies
With this system that majority of credit repair companies use, clients are billed monthly until the credit has been repaired to the company’s satisfaction. However, this approach can be more expensive and time-consuming as most firms only dispute a small number of accounts at once. This means that a credit repair program can last up to 8 months and the fees can add up very quickly.
3. Pay for Delete
This system is less common, but provides concrete incentive for credit repair companies as they are only paid when an item is removed. However, it's important to be wary of this approach as a ‘Pay for Delete’ companies scam people by charging per “item removed." For example, a company may charge $299 for set up and then an additional $75 for each account. But if an account is reported to all three bureaus it is considered three items instead of one, leading to fees of $524 just to remove one account from all reports.
While flat fee companies are seen as the best option, it’s always recommended to research and compare different companies to make the best decision for yourself.
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The Credit Repair Process in Wilmington
The credit repair process can be a bit perplexing as there's a lot of outdated or unhelpful advice available. Having worked in the industry for 15 years, I've experienced how the process has evolved over time with changes in regulations and laws influencing it. The bottom line is that credit repair is not complicated; it's the credit reporting agencies that make it difficult to utilize an effective dispute process. They put in place procedures to drive consumers towards an online platform and limit their ability to dispute errors. Hence, keeping up with the changes is essential to ensure the best outcomes for clients.
Understanding the Process
Initially, the "not-mine disputes" process, which involves disputing all negative and derogatory accounts as not yours, led to instant results. Regrettably, it also resulted in turmoil, with removed accounts appearing again after the secondary legal reinvestigation process. The credit reporting agencies then began using e-OSCAR to eliminate erroneous and frivolous dispute letters, making it harder for people to get results through the dispute process. Nowadays, using new and unique tactics is necessary to have items corrected or deleted from your credit report.
The New Approach to Credit Repair
The process I'm about to tell you that involves requesting the validation of any account's validity on your credit report has existed all along and is your legal right. This step involves asking data furnishers for proof of the account, such as original signed documents or payment ledgers. This way, you can determine if there is an error on the account or in the reporting of the account, and if there is, you can respond by requesting it be fixed or deleted. It's not just about disputing errors, but rather, it's about requesting proof of any item on your credit report.
Requesting Documentation
Determining what documentation is needed depends on the original loan you authorized. If unsure, calling a lender as a non-customer to ask them about the requirements for authorizing a new loan is a good idea. You can also search online to learn more. Soon, I'll post a blog on this topic and provide a link on this page so that you can have information on all the documents you need to request.
```The importance of Personal Finances in Credit Repair
1. What Really Drives Your Credit Score?
When it comes to credit repair, people often focus solely on fixing their credit report. However, what drives your personal credit and credit score is your personal finances. Credit scores fluctuate based on personal financial situations. Credit repair is just one tool in improving credit health.
2. Personal Finances Must Be a Priority
Sustainable credit means having credit strength that remains consistent regardless of any recession or job loss. However, most people struggle to achieve this because they lack control over their personal finances. To achieve sustainable credit, making personal finances a priority is critical. Before investing in credit repair, it is essential to pay off revolving credit balances and pay all accounts on time, while limiting credit card usage.
3. The Endless Credit Repair Cycle
Credit repair can often become an endless cycle for repeat offenders. This happens when people do not address their financial situation before investing in credit repair. Putting all money into credit repair without paying down balances results in repeating clients. It is best to focus on getting personal finances in line to achieve sustained credit.
Free Credit Repair Services in Wilmington
One of the frequently asked questions is, "Is it possible to fix my credit for free?" The answer is yes, you can fix your credit for free or at least by spending a little money on paper and stamps by doing the services on your own. If you're willing to commit 2-4 hours a month, you can exercise your legal right to dispute your credit report and repair it like the professionals. However, it is important to consider that free services come with a significant cost of time. On the other hand, if you don't want to put in the effort, you can hire a professional credit repair company. For those looking for free credit repair, you can join credit repair groups on Facebook, post a request for help in exchange for a detailed positive review and find a newer credit repair company willing to do the same. My blog post "Repair your credit like the pros" lays out the steps to guide you through the credit repair process. Leave a testimonial or review to help others.
Key Details:
- It is possible to fix your credit for free by disputing your credit report on your own.
- Although free services do not require money, they may require commitment of time.
- A professional credit repair company can be hired if you don't want to deal with the hassle.
- You can find credit repair companies willing to provide their services for free in exchange for a detailed positive review on Facebook groups.
- A blog post titled "Repair your credit like the pros" is available to guide you through the process.
- The importance of leaving testimonials and reviews is highlighted.
My Final Suggestion...
To ensure you do not waste your time and money, it is important to conduct thorough research when searching for the best credit repair company. Reaching out to different credit repair companies is necessary, but it can be tedious. Additionally, it is essential to manage your personal finances because it is a common cause of bad credit. Often, individuals spend their paychecks on credit repair, but their spending and saving habits cause financial troubles leading to bad credit. Credit repair services work effectively, and our firm has helped over twenty thousand clients witness a transformation in their credit scores. However, the solution to bad credit starts with you; controlling your finances is imperative before opting for credit repair services. Remember not to lose hope and stay determined.