Credit Firm vs Credit Saint

Continued from above...

That's where credit repair services enter the picture. These providers work to dispute items on your credit report that might be inaccurate, unverifiable, or erroneous. Depending on which company you choose, the service might also include cease and desist letters, goodwill letters to help you qualify for credit in the future, credit monitoring to keep you on track, and one-on-one coaching.

You shouldn't expect miraculous, rapid increases in your credit score - most credit repair processes result in a modest increase of about 40 points, though some may bring you up by 100 points or more - but it could be what makes the difference for your financial goals and credit needs.

As you start to explore the possibility of credit repair, you'll soon see that there are many providers hoping to gain your business as a client. Which one is the best for you? Here are a few things to keep in mind as you decide:

• Services provided. What is included in your monthly fee? Will you get a certain number of challenges and disputes or is it unlimited? Is credit monitoring included? Will you get coaching on managing your finances going forward, so that you can avoid needing credit repair down the road?
• Fees. What will you pay for the services you receive? Is it month-to-month or a one-off cost? Is there an initial work fee or setup cost? Also, many services expect that you will have a credit report in hand at the time of your first consultation; some include that with your fees, while others charge you for it. Be aware that you can request your credit report once per year for free: the CFPB recommends using AnnualCreditReport.com to get yours from all three of the major credit bureaus at no cost.
• Results. The best credit repair services tell you what to expect and how quickly. It can take a month or two before your credit score changes, even if your provider is working diligently behind the scenes on your behalf.
• Reputation. The Better Business Bureau isn't a big fan of the credit repair industry, so it's not uncommon to see reputable providers with a less-than-stellar BBB grade. Rely on client feedback to paint a clearer picture instead. Do customers say the credit repair service was effective? Was it worth the money they paid? Did their assigned reps update them regularly with the progress made on their credit reports?

To help you get your finances back on track, TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked the most popular credit repair services available today. We're confident that this information will give you everything you need to choose the right partner in your journey towards a fantastic credit report!