Credit is one of those things that everyone hates but everyone has to deal with. Your credit score is essential for functioning in the financial world. If you have had a bad financial history, then your credit score might be less than desirable. A poor credit score can affect your ability to get a house loan, credit card, and even a job.
So, if you have poor credit, you need opinions. Credit repair companies exist to help people improve their scores. Credit repair companies negotiate with creditors to remove negative marks from your credit report.
But are credit repair companies really legit? Can they actually help you change your score or are they just a scam? Fortunately, the answer is yes, credit repair companies can actually help your score. Strictly speaking, you could do everything a credit repair company does on your own, but it is very helpful having professionals on your side who know what they are doing.
So we are going to cover the best credit repair companies of 2022 and talk a bit about each one. We will also talk about how to choose a credit repair agency.
How to Choose a Credit Repair Agency
Credit repair agencies are required to act in accordance with the 1996 federal Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA), which established rules for how credit repair agencies can operate. For example, credit repair agencies are not allowed to charge an upfront fee for services, nor can they create new credit files or guarantee that they can remove negative reports. Also, CROA requires credit repair agencies to provide a written contract that can be canceled within three days of signing. For more information on the legal specifics of the CROA, see here.
Here is a quick list of things to look for when seeking out a credit repair agency.
- Free consultation. Stick to companies that will offer a free evaluation of your case and tell you whether they can help you or not. In fact, credit repair agencies are expressly forbidden from requiring payment upfront.
- Contract. Credit repair agencies must provide a written contract that can be canceled within 3 days. If a company does not offer you a written contract, then look elsewhere.
- Warranty. Also, make sure that the credit repair agencies you choose offer some sort of warranty or guarantee on their services. For example, some agencies will refund your money if they can’t improve your score or remove a certain number of negative marks within a set timeframe.
- Track record. Research the company’s history and see how long it have been around. Companies that have a longer history are more likely to be legitimate. We recommend trying to find a company that has been around for at least 5 years.
- Follow laws. Credit repair agencies have several rules they must abide by. For example, they cannot guarantee the removal of negative marks, they cannot advise that you lie on financial documents, and they cannot ask you to open a new credit profile.
Best Credit Repair Companies
1. Sky Blue Credit
Sky Blue Credit has been providing credit repair services since 1989 and has amassed a good consumer reputation. The single credit service option costs $79 a month, after an initial one-time $79 setup fee. They offer a generous 90-day money-back guarantee and can dispute up to 15 items (5 items per bureau) every 35 days. In addition to their credit repair services, the service plan includes credit reportings, goodwill letters, debt validation, and debt negotiation/settlement.
When you sign up, Sky Blue will look at your credit reports and present items that are disputed candidates. They will also give you a guide for score optimization and tips for rebuilding your profile. They will then contact credit bureaus on your behalf to challenge negative marks. If you are not satisfied at any period during the first 90 days, you can cancel and get all your money back.
Pros
- Generous 90-day money-back policy
- Transparent pricing and services
- Credit reporting and monitoring services
- Couples can get a discount
Cons
- One-time set up fee of $79
- Some BBB complaints
2. Credit Saint
Credit Saint is based out of New Jersey and has some of the most aggressive credit repair tactics in the agency. They offer 3 packages of services ranging in price from $79 to $99 to $119 a month and first-time setup fees between $99 and $195. Each package grants you a personal advisory team that tracks your score, puts together a repair timeline, and disputes. The lowest tier offers late payment challenges and identity theft disputes, while the second tier allows for more information requests. The highest service allows you as many disputes as possible and also allows challenging repossessions and bankruptcies.
Credit Saint offers free phone consultations, a generous 90-day return policy, and a solid A rating with the BBB. There are a number of complaints but the company has responded to and resolved all of them. The one downside is that they are not available in 12 states and Washington D. C.
Pros
- 90-day money-back policy
- Aggressive credit repair services
- 3 tiers of service packages
Cons
- Pricing is high
- First-time setup fee
3. Lexington Law
Lexington Law has been around since 1991 and is one of the largest and most well-known credit repair agencies in the US. Lexington Law claims to have removed over 10 million negative credit items in 2017 alone, a staggeringly large number, all things considered. The firm is made up of teams of lawyers and paralegals that specialize in credit and financial law. The firm offers, among other things, services for:
- Identity theft
- Divorce
- Military service
- Student debt
- Medical bills
- And more
In addition to their credit repair services, Lexington Law has a first-rate credit tracking service and offers tips and advice on how to improve your score. They have 3 repair packages to choose from, ranging from $89.95 to $129.95. The Basic package offers only challenges and interventions, while the second premiere level offers inquiry assists, score tracking, reports, and TU alerts. The Premier Plus package offers everything so far, as well as cease and desist letters, ID protection services, financial planning tools, and a FICO credit score tracker.
Pros
- Lots of services included
- Excellent customer reputation
- Several credit strikers for multiple kinds of debt
Cons
- Expensive pricing
- Does not seem to have a money-back guarantee
4. The Credit Pros
The Credit Pros is a credit repair agency that was founded in 2012 and has since served over 200,000 clients across the country. The Credit Pros have 3 main credit repair packages to choose from
- Money Management – $49 per month
- Prosperity – $119 per month
- Success – $149 per month
The basic Money Management package offers basic credit monitoring, identity protection, and CashRules, a financial management package that lets you set budgets, fast-track transactions, and integrate your bank accounts into a single platform.
The Prosperity package is necessary if you want basic credit repair services. With the Prosperity package, you get cease & desist letters, debt validation letters, unlimited dispute, and a personalized plan designed by a FICO professional. Lastly, the Success package comes with everything so far included, along with a $1,500 line of credit for strengthening your score. The Credit Pros also offers a 90-day money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied. If you are interested in their services, you can sign up for a free phone consultation.
Pros
- Good credit reporting and financial tools
- Unlimited credit disputes and debt validation letters
- $1,500 line of credit for rebuilding your score
Cons
- Need second tier plan for credit repair services
- Refund might be difficult to make due on
5. Ovation Credit Services
Ovation Credit Services is based out of Jacksonville, FL, and offers nationwide credit repair services. The company was founded in 2004 and has since helped over 100,000 clients recover their credit scores. Their proven credit repair services are why they often show up on lists of the best credit repair agencies. Ovation offers two main credit repair packages:
- Essentials – $89 one-time, $79 per month
- Essentials Plus – $9 one-time, $109 per month
Both of Ovations repair services include a free consultation and one-on-one assistance with a case manager. You also get personalized dispute cases and financial management tools for saving, budgeting, paying debts, etc. The Plus plan allows for unlimited challenge letters, unlimited goodwill letters, and Ovation recommendation letters. Also, if you are not satisfied with their services, they have a 90-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Proven credit repair services
- Free consultations
- Discounts for military, couples, and seniors
- Financial management tools
- Person case advisor
Cons
- Expensive rates
- First-time fee required
6. Pyramid Credit Repair
Pyramid Credit Repair is a firm offering credit repair services tailored to both single people and couples. Pyramid’s basic credit repair service for singles costs $99 per month and includes a free assessment, unlimited disputes, and credit monitoring tools. The Couples option costs $198 per month and includes a specialized 2-person plan and 24/7 phone support. Both plans have no contracts or obligations, so you can cancel them anytime.
In addition to the Singles and Couples package, Pyramid offers an add-on identity protection service for $29.99. This service monitors your scores, generates monthly reports, and allows for dark web monitoring. The plan also comes with up to $25,000 in identity theft insurance. You can sign up for a month-long trial of this plan for $1.
Pros
- Specialized services for singles and couples
- 24/7 phone customer support
- Identity theft insurance packages available
- Personalized financial tools
Cons
- Plans are somewhat pricey
- Not available in all states
Credit Repair Company FAQ
How can a company repair my credit score?
Most companies act as a go-between for you and your creditors to have negative marks removed from your reports. Negative marks removed could include missed payments, unpaid balances, defaulted debts, and more. Credit repair companies also offer credit monitoring and advisory services in addition to dispute/mediation services.
Do credit repair agencies really work?
Credit repair agencies cannot guarantee that they will get negative remarks removed, but in general, yes, they can actually help your credit. It helps to find a reputable company that has a good track record and good customer reputation before paying for services. Keep in mind though that some negative items will not be able to be removed, even with the help of a credit repair agency.
How much do credit repair services cost?
It depends on the exact services, but most credit repair agencies cost between $60-$140 a month for their services. Additionally, most credit repair agencies charge a one-time setup fee, usually to the tune of $40-$100. Make sure to find an agency that offers a money-back guarantee.
How long does it take to repair my credit?
The exact amount of time it will take to repair your credit depends on the severity of negative marks and how low your score is. Generally, companies claim that they can show some positive results in at least 1-2 months. Keep in mind though that building good credit also involves changing financial habits, not just hiring a credit repair service.
How long do negative marks last on my credit report?
It depends on the kind, but most negative marks will be taken off your credit report automatically in 5-7 years. Bankruptcies normally take about 7 years to be taken off and a closed credit account takes approximately 10 years to be taken off. Hiring a credit repair agency can get these negative marks off much sooner, however.
Conclusions
Credit is an extremely important part of the modern world and you cannot function without it. If you have had some rough spots in your finances in the past, a negative credit score could keep you from finding housing, banking services, and, in some cases, employment. Credit repair agencies are never guaranteed to improve your score, but they can definitely increase your chances of getting negative marks removed from your reports. So if you are struggling to improve your credit and have negative items you want to remove from your reports, it might be a good idea to call a credit repair agency.
