Free Credit Repair: How to Repair Your Credit for Free

Free Credit Repair

Many of life’s little mistakes will resolve themselves in due time; that bad haircut will grow out, and a poor fashion choice will eventually be forgotten (except when old photographs are found — and mocked — by your children).

Unfortunately, a mistake on your credit report won’t magically fix itself, but there may be services available to you that offer free credit repair. The consequences of a misreported account on your credit report can be much worse than some unfortunate pictures. Inaccurate information on your credit report may be dragging down your score and impacting the interest rates you receive when seeking new credit.

And while you may have worked hard to maintain a healthy credit score, mistakes do happen. If you have a common last name, an errant credit account from a less diligent distant relative could wind up on your report. Or an old account could show up on your credit report long after it should have been removed. That’s why it’s also important to check your own credit report at least once a year.

Errors, outdated information, and even some legitimate but negative accounts may be removed from your credit report through credit repair. Whether you choose to do it yourself (DIY) with a template or software, or hire a professional, mistakes on your report should be addressed as soon as you find them. Below, we’ll explore how to approach repairing your credit on your own, downloading credit repair software, some of the best credit repair companies available, and a few extra pointers.

DIY Letters | Software | Top Companies (5) | Final Tips

Method 1: Using Templates to Help Write Letters Yourself

If you have a few simple mistakes, such as a misreported balance or even an incorrect name or address, you can simply write a letter to the credit bureau to have them correct the errors.

Logos of Three Main Credit BureausThe Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers an easy template you can use to draft a letter describing the error, and the bureau will open an investigation to fix the issue.

As with most of the modern world, the credit bureaus have also gone digital in many ways. Instead of drafting a letter, you also have the option to file your error dispute online through the bureau’s websites.

Our experts have put together helpful guides on disputing your credit report errors online for each of the three major bureaus.

Whether you choose to dispute via mail or online, you’ll need to include any appropriate supporting documents when you file your dispute. The specific documents you need will depend on the nature of the error but may include things such as payment records or court documents.

Method 2: Download Credit Repair Software

Alright, so this method is only kind of free; that is, there are free credit repair software options, but mostly in the form of free trials or demo versions of paid software. The full version will likely cost between $50 and $300, or more, depending on the features it has. That said, the cost of credit repair software is still generally less money than hiring a professional credit repair company to handle the process.

Screenshot of TurboScore Credit Repair Software

TurboScore software Credit Dispute Dashboard. Photo credits: Credit Umbrella Inc.

The best program for you will depend largely on the state of your credit report and the nature of your disputes. The more advanced software options will have more bells and whistles, and may include things like credit report analysis and calendar alerts. Try our experts’ top 16 picks for credit repair software to get started on your software search.

The 5 Best Companies for Assistance

For anyone who has struggled with credit repair, or who simply feels more comfortable letting a professional handle the process, a credit repair company can be a great option. Pick a company with a solid reputation and transparent pricing to make sure you’re in good hands. This article from the Federal Trade Commission details some common credit repair scams.

Our experts have picked four of the most trusted companies below.

  • Since 2004, Lexington Law Firm clients have seen over 83 million items removed from their credit reports
  • Get started today with a free online credit report assessment
  • Cancel anytime
  • See official site, terms, and details.
Our Rating
★★★★★

4.9

Better Business Bureau In Business Since Monthly Cost Reputation Score
See BBB Listing 2004 $139.95 8/10

Lexington Law is a trusted leader among credit repair companies in America, with 20 years of experience helping consumers repair their bad credit.

  • Best-in-class support
  • In business since 1989
  • Rapid 35-day dispute cycle, tailored to your situation
  • 90-day 100% money-back guarantee
  • Low $79 cost to get started, cancel or pause membership anytime
  • See official site, terms, and details.
Our Rating
★★★★★

4.7

Better Business Bureau In Business Since Monthly Cost Reputation Score
A+ 1989 $79 9.5/10

Sky Blue Credit Repair takes pride in its customer service and dedicated team members who don’t work on commission, so they’ll never try to up- or cross-sell products and services.

  • Free online assessment
  • CreditRepair.com members saw over 8.8 million removals on their credit reports since 2012
  • Free access to your credit report summary
  • Three-step plan for checking, challenging and changing your credit report
  • Online tools to help clients track results
  • See official site, terms, and details.
Our Rating
★★★★★

4.6

Better Business Bureau In Business Since Monthly Cost Reputation Score
See BBB Listing 2012 $69.95+ 8/10

CreditRepair.com is “dedicated to helping you develop a healthier relationship with your credit,” and will help you change your financial behavior to “rewrite”  your credit story.

  • Free online evaluation
  • One-on-one action plan with a certified FICO professional
  • Unlimited disputes of any questionable items on your credit reports
  • 24/7 Access to your online client portal
  • 90-Day Money-Back Guarantee
  • See official site, terms, and details.
 
Our Rating
★★★★★

4.5

Better Business Bureau In Business Since Monthly Cost Reputation Score
A+ 2009 $69+ 7.5/10

The Credit Pros can dispute multiple items at a time, repeating the process as necessary to ensure your credit reports are accurate and free of mistakes, duplicates, and false negatives.

While some companies may guarantee satisfaction with their service, the credit repair process is never a guarantee, so be wary of any companies that promise the successful removal of negative accounts.

A Few Final Tips for Free Credit Repair

The success you see using free credit repair techniques to fix your credit report will depend on your personal situation. For simpler errors or disputes, DIY should be all you need. The more complex your problem, the more likely you are to benefit from getting a little outside help.

Either way, the most important tip for any type of credit repair is Be Patient. Your credit report errors can be fixed — but they’re not going to go away overnight. Just as those bangs you wish you’d never gotten took months to grow back out, your credit repair process may take weeks — or months — to show results.

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