Repair Your Credit
When trying to repair your credit it can be tempting to want to opt for a quick fix but the best approach is often a reasonable and methodical one. Follow these steps to repair your bad credit.
The first step in repairing bad credit is reporting to the credit reporting company what information you think is inaccurate. The company will then process the information you’ve given them and usually within 30 days they will respond to you. According to the information they give you and how you evaluate their response you will determine if you want to form a dispute plan.
Only time can make negative information in your report that is accurate go away. A credit reporting company can report most accurate negative information for seven years and bankruptcy information for 10 years. Information about an unpaid judgment against you can be reported for seven years or until the statute of limitations runs out, whichever is longer. The seven-year reporting period starts from the date the event took place. There is no time limit on reporting information about criminal convictions; information reported in response to your application for a job that pays more than $75,000 a year; and information reported because you’ve applied for more than $150,000 worth of credit or life insurance.
If your bill paying history is improved, creditors may evaluate that information from recent years and they may give you credit. However, if you are unable to create a budget and stick to it then you may want to contact a credit counseling organization. Reputable credit counseling organizations can advise you on managing your money and debts, help you develop a budget, and offer free learning materials and workshops. Their counselors are certified and trained in the areas of consumer credit, money and debt management, and budgeting. Counselors discuss your entire financial situation with you, and can assist you develop a personalized plan to solve your money problems. An initial counseling session typically lasts an hour, with an offer of follow-up sessions.