Credit Restoration. It may be worth it.
I have been reading some of these frustrating stories on this forum with credit repair issues. I can say I have a few stories myself dealing with charge-offs, collections, inaccurate information, etc. I tried disputing these items myself and some were successful and some weren't.
Let me tell you about the BIG 3 as they call them Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. They hate to see a individual dispute a item on their credit report. Because they know this is money they are losing. Let me tell you, any type of item can be remove off your credit report. They will say it can't be done but that's BS. But the only problem is they make it a hassle and frustrating for YOU to get results. Credit Bureau's is in the business of putting negative information on your credit report and selling it off to third-party companies. So when you dispute items its money they are losing so they going to try to do everything possible to make it difficult and frustrating for you. You may recieve letters in the mail saying, "Your credit cannot be repaired"! Or you may dispute a collection or charge-off and they respond by saying "This item going to say on your credit report for 7 years". That is is a bunch of BS. I went through months and months fighting with the BIG 3 and got frustrated with them. But a friend of minds told me about an attorney firm called Lexington Law. This is a TRUE attorney firm in Salt Lake, Utah and they have attorney's whom specialize with dealing with the BIG 3. So I figure I will give them a shot. To make a long story short, after 6 months I have send my FICO score go from 673 to 751.
I'm not recommending anyone to use them even though I had success with them. I think you should do your research and make a decision for your best interest.
There is another law firm that specializes in disputing negative items on your credit report and the name is Bradley Ross Law in which is located in Fishers, Indiana. I have been with them since 1999 when I filed bankruptcy. To date they had the chp 7 bankrputcy removed from two major credit report agencies and numerous other negative items. I don't know my FICO score and but I do get an update about every other month. Basically my point is their services work and it's worth paying the money without going through the hassels because that 's their job. Ditto
How can this Law firm be contacted?
www.bradleyrosslaw.com try their website
I've been using Lexington Law Firm for about 4 months now and I LOVE their service! Although not all disputed items have been removed successfully at their first attempts, I have had several items disputed and removed. Lexington Law Firm will continue to strategically dispute erroneous items in my credit files until I am satisfied. Like jmart2221, I am not recommending this particular service to anyone, but I do recommend you do some thorough research if you are in need of this service. Peace & Prosperity to you all!
Hi jmart2221,
I have to differ with your article. "Negative" credit info being disputed does not cause a credit bureau to lose money. However, credit bureaus are in the business of maintaing credit information on a consumer who is requesting credit - that is where they make their money. What your "advertising" is a company that abuses the dispute process. Any item cannot be removed, if you know that you got a loan and did not pay it (for example), then it belongs on your credit report. Disputing items countless times to get it off will probably succeed, but eventually if the credit bureaus determine that it is correct, will put it right back on the report.
Here is an insert from the FTC website:
"Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you can question an item in your credit file and your complaint must be investigated. However, the negative information will be removed only if an investigation determines it’s incorrect. A credit repair company, no matters what it claims, cannot compel the credit bureau to remove negative information from your file, if that information is accurate."
Before credit repair, it is wise to do the disputing yourself and save a couple hundred dollars.
http://www.thecreativeinvestor.com/Article1.html
I have been using Lexington for 6 months now and I have gone from FICO of 422 to 534 as a result of their work. They managed to correct a lot of information and even clear out some collections that I had already paid for, but still appeared on my report (therefore looking bad in future creditors eyes.) The whole principle is that even if some of the negative items in your credit are true or were true they may able to be deleted by challenging the item. If for example you have a collection that was paid and you dispute the item the collection co has 30 days to respond. Since you are no longer in debt to them they usually do not want to bother with the extra paperwork so they let the deadline p*****. This in turn obligates the Credit reporting agency to take it off your report.
In reality you can do it yourself, but I had so many items that it was worth the money to have them do it for me. They also handle the letters to and from the Credit reporting agencies and I do not have to worry about keeping the paperwork and deadlines straight. I should be in the 600's by next year when I am planning on buying my first home. It will def. give me an extra hand when looking at my options for purchasing a home.
Carpe Diem,
Veronica
I have experience with Lexington Law and I am very satisfied with their service. I have had some items removed already. It's worth the cost as my excellent credit has made it possible for me to get great rates.
I strongly suggest disputing with the credit company first. Although I have no experience in my own case (which I will have soon enough) I have worked for a company that rechecks the disputes and know that the big three do sometimes get data that is inaccurate.
If you're short on funds, and can't afford a lawyer, sometimes some good old-fashioned legwork can remove these things from your account. Call the parties mentioned and establish with them the authenticity of your debt. Thanks to those "simply endorse this check and your loan is assured" letters some of my creditors sent, I had several thousand dollars on my record that I managed to remove by contacting the finance company (with which I had had a very productive relationship when my real loans were outstanding).
As far as the reporting companies go, I imagine they get a lot of heavy-handed complaints that their records are inaccurate when in fact they only have half the outstanding debt listed. Debt is one of the most misunderstood subjects in the world and that kind of ignorance can generate fear and anger. And that is the usual quality of the disputes that reporting companies deal with, from my understanding.