How to Build Credit

How to Repair and Increase Your Credit Score


Credit Report Repair

These credit report repair steps are easy to follow. Please read carefully and start building your credit scores!

Step 1: Obtain a copy of your credit report

If you don’t know what is wrong with your credit score to begin with, how are you to fix it? One of the main reasons behind getting a credit report for you to review is to make sure your information is correct and accurate.

Don’t only pay attention to your credit history, but also your name, address, and other personal information. If someone has tampered with your information, you will want it corrected.

Step 2: Find and Dispute

Once you have a copy of your credit report, one way to initiate credit report repair is by finding discrepancies of any kind. If you do so, you will need to write or call the credit bureau to report the flawed information and dispute it.

It is not uncommon for some folks to call the lending agency that has the invalid information to remove it. This move, however, usually doesn’t have successful results.

Step 3: Create a List of Negative Items on your Report

After creating this list, decide if you would like to argue the negative items. If there is anything that you don’t agree with, you should dispute it. This isn’t common knowledge, but when it comes to challenging items on your credit report you have the advantage.

Step 4: Write Letter to the Credit Bureau

This is probably the most difficult aspect of credit report repair. Many people think this step is really difficult, but it doesn’t have to be.

When disputing your negative items on your credit report, you essentially have two options. You can do it online, or the traditional way of writing a letter. Both options work really well, so do the one that is most comfortable to you.

Step 5: Use a Letter Someone Else Has Written

If you aren’t sure how to dispute your items in a letter, you should find an example of one that has already proven itself worthy.

You can also find a variety of templates online and in books. These formatted letters will help you get a great start to writing an effective letter.

Step 6: Support Your Claims

Make sure you attach any documentation to support your claim when sending in your letter. The more proof you have, the better. If you don’t have any documentation or proof, send a letter anyways and see what happens. In many cases the items are removed.

Step 7: Watch the Calendar

The reporting creditor has only 30 days to review and respond to your dispute. If proper action hasn’t taken place within 30 days, the item is automatically removed. So, sending in a letter isn’t a bad choice after all.

Step 8: Don’t Give Up

If you claim is rejected the first time, be persistent. You can continue sending in letters requesting that the item(s) be removed from your report. Eventually, you will win.

Step 9: Stay Organized

When it comes to credit report repair, you need to stay organized, especially if you are disputing multiple negative items. Keep track of your time and documentation. Stay on top of things by dealing with response mail as it comes.

Step 10: Take a Breather

If you have followed the first 9 steps, you can probably relax now. It is very likely that your credit report repair adventure has brought your score up.


Quick Tip #1 - Be Smart With Credit

Don't purposely put yourself into debt just to build your credit score. It is better to be debt free and have no credit than to go and get a bunch of debt to have a score.


Quick Tip #2 - Bad Credit is Worse Than No Credit

If you want to build credit make sure to do it responsibly. Having a bunch of credit cards and getting behind will make your credit worse than never having a credit card at all.



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