DIY Credit Repair

Article Date: September 18, 2011 3:41PM
Some situations can be easily avoided and action can be taken on one’s own to repair their credit file.
- Dispute with the Reporting agencies  FIRST. Don’t first send disputes to the bank, collection agency or mortgage company. Always dispute your adverse listings with the reporting agencies before doing anything else.
- Disputing items online. Never do this! You will not have any written records of your dispute (the return receipt). You will not be able to send documentation backing up your dispute. If you are disputing errors in your DOB or address, you have to send your request in writing any way.
- Failing to document your efforts. The reporting agencies must respond to you within 30 days. Â If you don’t keep track of when the time is up, you are missing an important advantage. Keep track of when you send and receive letters. You should also make sure you send your disputes certified mail, or email to ensure the time and date of receipt is documented.
- Being unrealistic. If your credit report is in bad shape, there isn’t a quick fix. Credit Repair takes time, usually up to 6-8 weeks . Patience is required to see results. If there is no clear contestable reason for the removal, you must be open to the possibility that the end outcome may be a denial of the removal.
- Giving up. The process seems overwhelming at first, especially if you are new to the whole credit repair idea. Take one step at a time. You don’t have to do everything at once. Do things a few days or a week apart. Don’t spend more than an hour at a stretch doing anything.





