Create a plan for today and tomorrow with financial education that meets you where you are. Build your future with personalized protection and smart investment options. When deciding which service is best for you, consider each in the context of your specific financial goals and objectives.

“This historic distribution of $1.8 billion demonstrates the CFPB’s commitment to making consumers whole, even when the companies that harm them shut down or declare bankruptcy.” In addition, credit repair companies can be expensive—often around $50-$100 per month, according to Experian—so it’s worth trying to do it on your own. And if you really need credit help, you can always seek affordable assistance from a nonprofit credit counselor through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. For example, let’s say you have two cards with individual credit limits of $2,000 and $500 of unpaid balances on one card. In this case, total your debt owed ($500) and then divide that by your total credit limit ($4,000). Your credit utilization ratio is measured by comparing your credit card balances to your overall credit card limit.

This is because multiple new accounts will cause lenders to wonder why you’re taking so many loans out in a short period of time, calling your financial situation into question. Payment history makes up 35% of your FICO score and 40% of your VantageScore. Settling those debts stops the bleeding, so your credit score doesn’t get any worse due to outstanding late payments. The U.S. FTC reported that Americans lost more than $10 billion to identity theft and fraud in 2023. Aura is one of the best identity theft protection services, and offers proactive digital security that helps protect you and your family from identity theft, fraud, and online threats while monitoring your credit.

Established in 2000, Assert Credit Repair is a full-service credit repair agency that aims to help clients in and around Houston improve their credit scores and financial status. Its credit counselors assist clients in improving their credit scores by thoroughly analyzing credit reports and challenging any discrepancies from clients’ profiles. After scores have improved, the company’s credit counselors educate clients so that they can be more empowered to improve their creditworthiness and maintain their good credit standing.

Fees and interest rates can be high for secured cards, but using one can help you to establish a credit record. If that’s all you’re looking for you can find hundreds of other credit repair companies to do just that. Our first goal is always to have the debt fully removed from your credit report. In cases where that’s not possible, we may recommend negotiating a payoff as a final option—and we’ll negotiate directly with the creditor on your behalf. To learn more about how Forbes Advisor rates lenders, and our editorial process, check out our loans rating and review methodology.

Our Service Can Help Address All Of These Items

Not only is high-interest debt expensive, but the amount of debt you carry has an impact on your score. Payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO® ScoreΘ, so once your accounts are all current, keep them that way by setting up autopay. You can generally set up autopay directly with the lender or service provider or through the bank account you use to pay bills. Customers must pay a setup fee, and credit monitoring is not included. The lack of credit monitoring might be a drawback for those seeking comprehensive credit management. Forbes Advisor has researched and assessed top credit repair companies to determine the best ones.

The company works to correct or completely remove negative, inaccurate, or outdated items from the credit reports of its clients. Safe Credit Solutions Inc. provides clients with weekly updates and works quickly to achieve results. The company also helps stop collections harassment and offers practical advice on how to build credit.

Best Credit Repair Companies Of 2025

They employ business intelligence techniques to analyze and present user data effectively using visualization tools. Credit bureaus like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion are also required to correct or delete incorrect, incomplete, or unverifiable information from your reports within 30 days once they have been notified. Our expert reviewers hold advanced degrees and certifications and have years of experience with personal finances, retirement planning and investments.

Fico Vs Vantagescore Credit Categories

Any credit repair companies that charge a substantial fee upfront are likely scams. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says these companies will accept your payment but never lower or settle the customer’s debts in any way. Credit repair companies are third-party entities that claim to improve your credit score by working with the credit bureaus to remove inconsistencies from your account, usually for a fee. creditrepair entitles you to certain legal rights when dealing with credit repair companies. For example, companies are prohibited from demanding up-front payment before services are rendered and must let consumers cancel for any reason within the first three business days.

Beyond DIY credit repair and full-service credit repair companies, several other avenues can help you improve your credit. Reputable credit repair services often provide educational resources and tools to help borrowers better understand and manage their credit, promoting long-term financial success. Disputing errors is the most crucial and often most time-consuming part of DIY credit repair. This involves writing to each credit bureau individually, explaining the error clearly and concisely, and including copies of supporting documentation (keep the originals for yourself). Credit counseling, on the other hand, can help you better understand your financial situation and create a plan for managing debt in the future. However, if part of your plan involves repairing your credit, you’ll need to take those steps on your own or with the help of a credit repair or debt settlement specialist.

If you check your credit reports and find errors, you have a legal right to dispute them. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FRCA), you can send a dispute letter to the three major credit bureaus about errors in their report(s). You should provide account numbers and other details about the errors you’re trying to have corrected. Safeport Law offers a single, transparent credit repair solution through its “Credit Cleanse” package.

Lexington Law helps ensure fair and substantiated credit reports through attorney-driven credit repair processes. Its unique approach leverages all relevant legal principles and standards to fight for consumer rights and the improvement of its clients’ credit scores. Lexington Law’s consumer advocacy has secured 77 million item removals since its founding in 2004.

I’ve already recommended them to friends and will continue to for a long time to come. With a credit card refinance, you swap your current debt from one or more credit cards onto a new one. Ideally, your new card will have a lower interest rate, and in some cases, an introductory 0% APR offer on balance transfers. This intro offer only lasts for a short amount of time, generally about one to two years.