If you’re tired of getting turned down for credit cards and/or loans, it’s probably time to repair your credit report. and You Many people turn to professional services because it can be a difficult process to review reports, remove negative items, and work on repairs. However, not all of these services are worth the time and investment. Some are outright scams. What do the best credit repair programs offer?

Some of the good things to look for include a free consultation, compliance with local laws, longevity, and a partnership with at least one attorney. The ideal credit repair organization will NOT charge you directly. They will offer you a free consultation and review your report to let you know what can and cannot be done. Ask them if they have experience with the type of situation you need to resolve, such as a large credit card debt or IRS lien removal.

Speaking of lawyers, it’s probably for the best that he stick with a show that has lawyers working for it. Law firms are the best credit repair programs, as they know all the laws related to credit bureaus, banks, and lenders. Having them on your side is especially helpful if there are suspicious items on your credit report and you are concerned about attempted fraud.

What are some of the “red flags” you absolutely need to look for? How do you know when to drop a “credit repair program”?

Features The best credit repair programs don’t have

What to avoid:

• Any company that tries to demand payment in advance.

• A promise of a “quick/easy fix.” There are no “quick and easy fixes” when it comes to credit repair.

• Any kind of guarantee or promise that a business will “raise your score”

• Companies that have unresolved complaints against them.

• Any suggestion that you “link” or create a “parallel identity.”

• Make any suggestions or do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.

The fact is that the best credit repair programs never make any promises, other than the guarantee that they will review your credit reports and give you an analysis of whether there really is any hope for you, and that they will help you in any way they can, as long as the methods adhere to local and federal laws.

Before signing any contract, please read all disclosures. DO NOT set up an auto-discover payment plan. Familiarize yourself with the “Credit Repair Organizations Act” so you know exactly what a business is prohibited from doing. If the program is legitimate, you will only have to start paying upon receipt of proof that they are doing everything they can (legally) to help you.

Now that you know what the best credit repair programs offer, you can begin your search. Many people recommend Lexington Law, as the firm offers a free one-on-one consultation and access to your TransUnion report summary. There are also many positive Lexington Law reviews online.