Unfortunately, people often view credit repair companies in the same light as dentists - they are seen as unwelcome intruders. Furthermore, it is relatively easy for anyone with persuasion skills and a heartbeat to set up a credit repair company; consequently, they can be as ubiquitous as McDonald's. I have been working in the credit repair industry for fifteen years, and I run one of the largest credit repair companies in the country. Like many, I am aware of the criticism our trade faces, and much of it is warranted.
Poor credit is an epidemic, and it appears to be getting worse. In the last year alone, there has been a surge in credit repair companies, offering more options for individuals to choose from. As a result, consumers must conduct extensive research to ensure they are not taken advantage of when selecting a credit repair company.
As a credit repair business owner, I have had the privilege of helping over 20,000 people change their lives for the better. To give back, I want to provide clarity and transparency about our industry. I aim to equip you with the tools to choose the best credit repair company.
Table of Contents
Finding the Best Credit Repair Company in Shreveport
Different Credit Repair Options in Shreveport: Which One Is Right for You?
The Credit Repair Process in Shreveport
Importance of Financial Stability for Sustainable Credit
Free Credit Repair in Shreveport
Final Advice on Credit Repair
Finding the Best Credit Repair Company in Shreveport
If you're looking for the best credit repair company in Shreveport, don't rely on persuasive sales pitches. Research and due diligence are essential to determining the right fit for you. While online reviews can help, they don't always tell the full story. We recommend the following steps to create a list of suitable companies:
Make a list
Make a local search for credit repair companies and create a list of candidates with an acceptable Google review rating.
Reputation
Look for established companies with at least three years of online presence. Check the reviews for legitimacy and accuracy.
Make the call
Contact your shortlisted companies and ask questions regarding their experience, licensing, fees, and guarantees.
Asking these questions should provide you with clarity and information to make an informed decision. Stay tuned for the next section to discuss what factors determine the most effective but least expensive credit repair company.
Different Credit Repair Options in Shreveport: Which One Is Right for You?
In Shreveport, there are over 1 million active credit repair and financial service companies in the United States. Although this offers you more choices to select from, it also makes it difficult to differentiate between experienced and non-experienced companies. In this article, we will explore the three different types of credit repair companies you will find.
Flat fee companies
Only about 5% of companies operate like this, and in our opinion, this is the best way to get the fastest results and save the most money in the process. Flat Fee credit repair companies typically only bill you for the accounts they dispute, and you pay a one-time fee for this service. Most flat fee services are usually faster because they have an incentive to get your services completed in the quickest amount of time.
Monthly fee companies
Most credit repair companies charge monthly fees, but this model is inefficient as most companies that use it don’t ever look over your credit report. This structure doesn’t fit all clients, and the credit repair company usually disputes a few items at a time, which means if you have 10 negative accounts, it can take 6-8 months alone to get full results.
Pay for Delete
This model offers an interesting way to pay for credit repair, but most people do not know what they are getting into until it's too late. Although the method sounds good, it's important to ask to see the fee structure and ask the company directly if they removed all your accounts from your credit report what the fee would be.
In conclusion, We highly recommend choosing a flat fee company because we believe it's the best option. But it's important to do your research and calculations on your own so you can make the best decision for yourself.
The Credit Repair Process in Shreveport
When it comes to credit repair, there's a lot of information out there, some of which may be outdated or unhelpful. Having spent 15 years in the credit industry, I can attest that perfecting the process has taken time due to constantly evolving regulations and industry changes. The process is not complicated, but credit reporting agencies often put obstacles in the way of effective dispute processes, leaving consumers feeling helpless. At our company, we stay up-to-date on all changes within the industry to provide the best possible results for our clients.
Understanding the Credit Repair Process
Credit repair became popular in 2015, with users finding success in disputing negative accounts using "not mine disputes." However, the efficacy of this process was short-lived, with secondary investigations reinstating deleted accounts in just a few months. The credit reporting agencies have since tightened their processes, with e-OSCAR helping filter out frivolous dispute letters. If you're not using new and unique dispute tactics, it's now unlikely you'll see any success in correcting or deleting items from your credit report.
A New and Effective Credit Repair Process
It's your legal right to dispute any account on your credit report, and instead of solely disputing errors, it's more effective to request that data furnishers validate the account. You can do this by asking the creditor or collection agency to provide proof of the account, including signed documents or payment ledgers. If an error is present, use any proof to request correction or deletion.
Types of Account Documentation to Request
The documentation required depends on the original loan authorization. If you're unsure of what to request, consider calling the creditor or conducting a quick Google search. We will also soon be posting a quick blog on this topic, providing access to all documents you may require. Stay tuned.
Importance of Financial Stability for Sustainable Credit
When it comes to personal credit, your score is primarily driven by your personal financial situation. This is why millions of Americans struggle with credit issues. Think of your credit scores as the stock market; they constantly fluctuate based on your financial spending habits. While credit repair can help fix derogatory accounts on your credit report, it is not a complete solution to sustainable credit. Prior to investing in credit repair, it is essential to focus on getting your personal finances in line by paying off revolving credit balances, paying bills on time, and reducing credit card usage. Without financial stability, credit scores will always fluctuate.
The Cycle of Endless Credit Repair
Repeat offenders are common in the credit repair industry. The endless cycle of credit repair occurs when people prioritize credit repair over their financial situation. Clients come for help in improving their credit scores, but within six months, they return for more credit repair. The key to avoiding this cycle is to fix the underlying financial issues causing credit problems. Investing in your finances will allow for sustainable credit and prevent the need for repeat credit repairs. Therefore, it is advised to focus on paying off balances and practicing responsible financial habits to achieve long-term credit score stability.
Free Credit Repair in Shreveport
The question of whether you can fix your credit for free is frequently asked. The reality is that you can repair your credit without paying money, or at least for the cost of a postage stamp and some paper, by executing the services on your own. I have written numerous blog posts on how to fix your credit like the experts, but valuable time will be sacrificed since anything that is free usually comes with a "time" cost. Legally, you have the right to challenge your credit report at any moment, but most people are either unwilling to put in the effort or do not have the time to spare. For those who do not feel like repairing their credit themselves, I strongly recommend hiring a professional credit repair company. If you are willing to devote 2-4 hours each month to disputing your credit report for free, I recommend that you take a look at my article on how to "Repair your credit like the pros."
Leave a testimonial or review
In the early days of my credit repair career, I offered people free credit repair in return for a testimonial or review. As I started doing credit repair in the 2000s, testimonials, and reviews were not something that I had, so I used to ask people if they would permit me to fix their credit in exchange for a testimonial or review. In the end, the clients received free credit repair, and I got what was a very valuable review, despite the fact that I had to pay for the disputes. The bottom line is that there are now a lot of credit repair companies that would be eager to offer you the same deal as I once did. If you're interested, my recommendation is that you seek out "Credit Repair" Facebook groups, join them, and then create a post that is structured similarly to this one:
“I’m in search of 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€
You may receive negative feedback, but you should have no trouble locating someone willing to do your credit repair for free.
Final Advice on Credit Repair
If you are looking for a reliable credit repair company that can help you improve your credit score permanently, it's recommended that you conduct thorough research. While exploring different service providers may seem time-consuming and tedious, it is crucial to ensure that you don't waste your time and money. Additionally, focus on your personal finances, as this is the primary cause of most people's credit problems. Some people tend to allocate their income towards credit repair without fixing their bad spending and saving habits, only to later complain about ineffective service. However, credit repair can work wonders, as it has helped over 20,000 of my clients. Remember that it all begins with you; you must take charge of your finances before seeking credit repair solutions, which can be quick, easy, and essentially permanent. Don't lose hope; you've got this!