CONCLUSION
As you have just found out, credit repair is not hard and can be accomplished by yourself now that you have the tools and knowledge to do so.
If you haven’t already been doing these, here are some tips to get you started on your journey towards a higher credit score.
Note: Many of these were mentioned throughout the book, so if you have been working on these as you read, then use this as a checklist to see if there is anything you might have missed.
1. Find out what your credit report contains. Obtain your report from all three credit agencies and review it carefully for any inaccuracies.
2. Find out what your credit score is. This score is a three digit number and is often what different creditors will look at when determining what interest rate you should have or even if you should be offered credit at all.
3. Double check each credit report for inaccuracies and dispute anything that is not accurate. Use the letters provided and keep a written document trail of all communication.
4. Review your credit report for items that may be hurting your score (even if they are accurate). Create a list of items that are hurting your score that you want to work on improving. Use the My Fico score simulator to help determine what you should work on first.
5. Create a plan for how to improve your weak areas on your credit report. If you are married, work with your partner to create the plan together. Make the plan realistic and something that you can easily stick to.
6. Follow up with the credit bureaus on any inaccuracies that you reported. Ensure that they were taken off of the reports.
7. Set up a system to check your credit report frequently to ensure that the correct information is being reported and that you are not at risk for identity theft.
8. Check your credit score at least once per year, more often if you are actively trying to raise your score.
9. Get your finances in order.
Use the different features available to you to ensure that you don’t accidentally lower your credit score in the future. Set up automatic bill payments to as many lenders as possible to avoid having late payments. Call credit card companies and ask them to lower your required payment or interest rates until you are able to pay more onto your account.
10. Celebrate your success when your credit score reaches your desired level!