If you have negative items on your credit
report due to late payments, public records, etc.,
you can begin repairing your credit on your own or
get help from a debt consolidation company or debt reduction service.
To repair credit on your own:
• Start by contacting
credit reporting agencies to get copies of your
credit report.
• If there are errors
on your credit report, you can contact the credit
reporting agency to request an investigation.
Although you can start to repair your credit today
by taking certain steps, only consistent efforts and
making payments on your debts will improve your credit.
There are many companies out there trying to sell
consumers on credit repair scams. Learn to recognize
false claims made by companies. Remember:
• No one can have accurate
information removed from your credit report.
• If you have bad credit,
it can take years to repair your credit legitimately.
• No one can create a
new identity for you. Don't let anyone talk you
into making false statements or using a fake Social
Security number. You may be convicted for fraud.
• You can order your
credit report yourself. If you see errors on your
report, you can also request that the credit reporting
agencies make appropriate changes.
