Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
WHAT HAPPENS IF NEW, NEGATIVE INFORMATION THAT
WAS NOT ON MY ORIGINAL REPORT IS
ADDED TO MY CREDIT REPORT AFTER THE REPAIR WORK HAS BEGUN?
We will work on the new negative information in your credit report as long as you are an active
client.
DOES PAYING OFF MY BILLS REPAIR MY CREDIT?
You would think that this would be true. But again, the credit reporting system just doesn't work
that way. When you pay an old debt, the negative credit listing doesn't disappear. And, the most
ironic thing is that a paid, current negative listing is not much better than an unpaid negative
listing. Paying an old negative debt will not erase the fact that at one point you were not paying
as agreed. This may sound strange, but in some cases you won't get much further (credit wise) by
paying off an old negative debt.
ARE CREDIT REPORTS ALL THE SAME?
No. Reports from each of the three credit reporting agencies may not contain the same information and may look different.
Each agency maintains their own database and do not often share information.
HOW LONG DOES THE RESTORATION PROCESS TAKE?
It will take 2 months to see your first results, and then the credit reports should progressively
get better every 90 days thereafter. The total length of your case will be determined by how many
negative items you have on your credit report to begin with. See our charge on our Costs Page.
WHO WILL REMOVE ITEMS FROM MY CREDIT REPORTS?
Only the creditors have the power to remove items from your credit report. But, as required by law,
the credit reporting agencies must delete inaccurately reported information.
WHO CAN REQUEST INFORMATION ABOUT MY CREDIT FILE?
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a credit reporting company may only disclose your credit report
if someone is: a. Granting credit, reviewing your account, or collecting on your account. b.
Reviewing you for employment purposes. c. Reviewing your application for insurance. d. Reviewing
your eligibility for a license or government-related benefits. e. Providing information for a
business transaction, such as renting an apartment. f. A court order. g. An IRS subpoena. h. Someone
to whom you have given written permission.
WHY SHOULD I CARE WHAT IS IN MY CREDIT REPORT?
You better care. It is your credit report that creditors use to determine if they will extend
credit to you. If you have negative information on your report, you may be turned down for the loan
you need, or pay unnecessarily high interest rates.
HOW OFTEN ARE ERRORS MADE WHEN CREDIT BUREAUS REPORT INFORMATION?
Frequently! A recent study by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group has documented that there is a
79% error rate with credit reports.
HOW CAN CREDIT REPORTS BE LEGALLY REPAIRED?
Credit bureaus are required to follow procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy before they can
legally place any items on a credit report. In many cases they do not do this. Also, any company
that furnishes information to a credit bureau about you must be able to substantiate those comments
with proper documentation. In many cases this cannot be done as well. We request, on behalf of our
clients, that the credit bureaus and furnishers re-verify their claims of accuracy and compliance.
Once an error is identified, the item must be removed. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and
select state laws, you are protected by your right to dispute information.
WHO ARE THE CREDIT BUREAUS?
There are three major credit bureaus: Experian (formerly TRW), Equifax and TransUnion. Each of these
bureaus are FOR PROFIT organizations and are NOT government related. They make money by gathering
personal, public and credit information about you and selling it to others.