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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Everything You Need to Know

When it comes to your finances, it’s important to understand everything you read. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions to help make everything easier, but let us know if you have any additional inquiries.

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WHERE CAN I FIND MY CREDIT REPORTS?

You can access your credit report from one of the three major credit bureaus in the United States: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. By law, you are entitled to one free credit report from each of these bureaus every 12 months. While we work on your credit report we will need you to have a credit monitor active monthly. You can choose from the following:

 

 1. Identity IQ:  

  • 3 Bureau Credit Report & Scores

  • ScoreCasterIQ

  • Enhanced Credit Monitoring

  • Identity Protection Monitoring

  • IQAlerts with Application Monitoring

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2. Smart Credit: 

  • Score Tracker, Builder & Boost!

  • Control your future credit score

  • Money Manager

  • Online banking with action buttons

  • Smart Credit Report®

  • Interactive report with action buttons

  • ID Theft Alerts & Privacy

  • Stop theft and get more online privacy

  • $1 Million Fraud Insurance*

  • Covers your whole family
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3. Credit Hero Score:

  • 24/7 Credit Monitoring

  • Get email alerts about changes in your credit profile

  • Credit Education Center access

  • Social Security Number Monitoring

  • Identity Theft Protection

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HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO REPAIR MY CREDIT?

We're committed to helping you improve your credit, but it's important to understand that credit repair is a process that takes time. How soon you see results can vary depending on several factors: 

 

1. The Severity of Your Credit Issues: If your credit report has multiple inaccuracies or negative items, it may take longer to see improvements compared to someone with only a few errors. 

 

2. Credit Bureau Response Time: Credit bureaus have 30 to 45 days to investigate and respond to disputes. We'll work diligently to ensure your concerns are addressed promptly, but the credit bureaus' response time is a factor. 

 

 3. Your Credit Management: Your credit score also depends on your ongoing financial behavior. Making on-time payments, reducing debt, and using credit responsibly will contribute to longer-term improvements. 

 

 4. The Complexity of Your Case: Some credit issues may be more complex and require additional steps to resolve, which can extend the timeline for seeing results. While we aim to resolve your credit issues as quickly as possible, we typically advise our clients to expect the process to take several months. It's important to remain patient and maintain responsible financial habits during this time. 

 

Our goal is to provide you with guidance, support, and expertise to help you achieve your credit score goals. We'll keep you updated on the progress of your case, and you're encouraged to reach out with any questions or concerns along the way. Your satisfaction and financial success are our top priorities, and we're here to assist you every step of the way.

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HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY CREDIT SCORE?

Improving your credit score takes time and responsible financial management. Here are steps you can take to help raise your credit score: 

 

 1. Check Your Credit Report: Obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) through AnnualCreditReport.com and review them for inaccuracies or errors. 

 

 2. Dispute Inaccuracies: If you find any errors on your credit report, dispute them with the credit reporting agencies to have them corrected or removed. 

 

 3. Pay Bills on Time: The most significant factor affecting your credit score is your payment history. Make sure to pay all your bills, including credit card payments, loans, and utility bills, on time. 

 

 4. Reduce Outstanding Debt: Work on reducing your credit card balances and overall debt. High credit utilization (the ratio of credit used to your credit limit) can negatively impact your score. 

 

 5. Avoid Opening Too Many New Accounts: Each time you apply for credit, it can result in a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily lower your score. Be selective about new credit applications. 

 

 6. Keep Old Accounts Open: The length of your credit history also plays a role in your score. Keep older, well-managed accounts open to demonstrate a longer credit history. 

 

 7. Diversify Credit Types: A mix of credit types, such as credit cards, installment loans (e.g., auto loans), and retail accounts, can positively impact your credit score. 

 

 8. Set Up Payment Reminders: Missing payments is a common reason for credit score drops. Use payment reminders or automatic payments to ensure you pay on time. 

 

 9. Negotiate with Creditors: If you're struggling with debt, consider negotiating with creditors for lower interest rates, payment plans, or debt settlement to help manage and reduce your debt. 

 

10. Be Patient: Improving your credit score is a gradual process. Continue practicing responsible financial habits, and your score will gradually increase over time. 

 

 11. Avoid Collections: Avoiding collection accounts or settling unpaid debts with collection agencies can prevent further negative marks on your credit report. 

 

 It's important to note that quick fixes for credit repair are rare. Be cautious of companies promising to repair your credit overnight; they may be scams. Focusing on consistent, responsible financial behavior is the key to long-term credit improvement.

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