Question 1

What is Credit Repair?

Accepted Answer

Credit repair refers to improving your credit score by correcting inaccuracies on your credit reports, paying down debt, managing accounts responsibly, and building positive credit history over time.

Question 2

How long does credit repair take?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your situation.
• Improving credit habits: generally 30-90 days to see meaningful change.
• Serious issues (collections, bankruptcies): improvement may take years, though scores can rise sooner with consistent good behavior.

Question 3

Can I repair my credit myself?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Most people repair their credit on their own by:
• Getting free reports from AnnualCreditReport.com
• Disputing inaccuracies
• Paying bills on time
• Reducing credit card balances
• Building positive history with secured cards or credit-builder loans

Question 4

Do credit repair companies work?

Accepted Answer

Some can help, but they cannot legally remove accurate negative information. They mainly assist with:
• Disputing errors
• Organizing reports
• Providing guidance

Question 5

Can disputes hurt my credit score?

Accepted Answer

No. Filing a dispute does not hurt your score.
However, if a dispute results in an account being verified as accurate, it stays on your report.

Question 6

What items can I dispute on my credit report?

Accepted Answer

People often dispute:
• Wrong balances
• Accounts that aren’t theirs
• Incorrect payment dates
• Duplicate accounts
• Wrong personal information
• Outdated negative items (older than 7 years)

Question 7

How long do negative items stay on my report?

Accepted Answer

Common timelines:
• Late payments: 7 years
• Collections: 7 years
• Charge-offs: 7 years
• Chapter 13 bankruptcy: 7 years
• Chapter 7 bankruptcy: 10 years
• Hard inquiries: 2 years
• Paid tax liens: up to 7 years from the date paid (unpaid ones are no longer reported)

Question 8

Do collections go away if I pay them?

Accepted Answer

Paying a collection doesn’t remove it automatically, but it may:
• Improve your score (especially with newer scoring models)
• Show future lenders that you’re responsible
Some agencies may agree to pay-for-delete, but they are not required to.

Question 9

What is the fastest way to boost my credit?

Accepted Answer

The biggest quick wins (usually within 30–60 days):
• Pay down credit card balances below 30% utilization (ideally under 10%)
• Dispute and remove any demonstrably incorrect items
• Become an authorized user on an old, high-limit card with perfect payment history (if the primary user has excellent credit)
• Make all payments on time going forward (payment history = 35% of FICO score)

Question 10

Does checking my own credit hurt my score?

Accepted Answer

No. Checking your own credit is a soft inquiry, which does not affect your score.

Question 11

What credit score is needed to buy a house?

Accepted Answer

Many lenders look for:
• 580–620 minimum for FHA
• 620–640+ for conventional
Higher scores generally mean better interest rates.

Question 12

Should I close credit cards to improve my score?

Accepted Answer

Usually no.
Closing a card can lower your credit score because it reduces:
• Your total available credit
• The average age of your credit accounts
• Closing old accounts can shorten your credit history and increase your utilization ratio, both of which lower your score.

Question 13

Will paying off all debt give me perfect credit?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily.
Credit scores also depend on:
• Credit age
• Credit variety
• Payment history
• New credit inquiries

Question 14

Is credit repair legal?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the right to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information.

Question 15

What’s the difference between a credit score and a credit report?

Accepted Answer

• A credit report is a list of your accounts and payment history.
• A credit score is a number calculated from the information in your report.

Question 16

Does disputing something really work?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if the item is inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), bureaus must investigate within 30 days. If the creditor can’t verify it, the item must be deleted.

Question 17

Can I get a 100-point boost in 30 days?

Accepted Answer

• Very unlikely unless you have multiple serious errors removed or you pay down very high credit-card balances. Realistic safe gains are 20–50 points in the first 1–3 months with aggressive but legal steps.
 • Yes, if you use our seasoned credit program, and if needed, remove multiple serious negative credit items.
 • Also, if you pay down very high credit-card balances. We can guide you on recommended balance reduction amounts.
 • Gains can secure scores as high as 750 or higher on each bureau in 1–3 months.

Question 18

What is a CPN or "Credit Privacy Number"? WARNING:

Accepted Answer

If a company offers to sell you a "CPN" or "secondary credit number" to hide your bad credit, run away. This is a major scam. These numbers are often stolen Social Security Numbers (sometimes belonging to children). Using one on a credit application is a federal crime (identity fraud).

Question 19

What is "Pay for Delete"?

Accepted Answer

"Pay for delete" is a negotiation where you offer to pay a collection agency the full amount (or a settlement) in exchange for them removing the account from your credit report entirely.
• Is it real? Sometimes, but collection agencies are increasingly reluctant to do it because their contracts with credit bureaus often forbid it.
• Is it guaranteed? No. Get any agreement in writing before sending money.

Question 20

Does CRA Credit Solutions offer its services in countries outside the USA?

Accepted Answer

U.S. Credit File Requirement
Our services are provided exclusively to consumers whose credit reports are maintained by United States credit reporting agencies, including Equifax®, Experian®, and TransUnion®. By enrolling in our services, you represent and warrant that you have a valid U.S. credit file subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681).

Our credit repair services are governed by the Credit Repair Organizations Act (15 U.S.C. § 1679) and applicable federal and state consumer protection laws. Because international credit reporting systems operate under different legal and regulatory frameworks, we do not provide credit repair, credit disputes, or credit-related services for foreign or non-U.S. credit files.

If it is determined that you do not have a U.S.-based credit file, we reserve the right to decline, suspend, or terminate services without obligation to perform credit repair work.

Q&A