If you received a check for this matter, it is because you were identified by the CFPB as a harmed consumer covered by the final order entered by the court in the CFPB’s enforcement action against these companies. If you have not yet received a check and believe you are a victim, you can inquire about the status of your potential check. It’s 100% possible to rebuild damaged credit, but it won’t happen overnight.

Lower Your Credit Utilization Ratio

Still, the agency’s efforts could prove short-lived amid calls from some Republicans to weaken the agency or get rid of it entirely. Although we don’t think you will want it, we will gladly provide a refund if you request it within 90 days of enrollment. Your issuer may close your card after a certain period of inactivity. We will work on removing the inaccurate name and address variations as well as excess employer and phone number information. “It’s a good sign to a lender that you’re disciplined enough, you’re not utilizing all of it, and if you were to fall on hard times, you have something to fall back on,” Zarrad says.

If you’ve already tried reaching out to the company and still have an issue, you can submit a complaint to the Bureau. Tell us about your issue—we’ll forward it to the company and work to get you a response, generally within 15 days. It’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether to work with Accredited Debt Relief. Kim Lowe is Head of Content for NerdWallet’s Personal and Student Loans team.

In your free credit review, you and one of our highly trained credit analysts will review your credit profile in-depth and develop a clear and concise road map to better credit scores. Following the district court’s ruling, the companies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, shuttering approximately 80 percent of their business operations, including their telemarketing call centers. The CFPB’s $1.8 billion distribution to consumers harmed by the credit repair companies is a result of the agency’s enforcement action. If you have a bad FICO score, you’re unlikely to be approved for credit by credit card companies and other lenders. If you have a fair or very good FICO score, you’re more likely to be approved for high-limit credit cards, mortgages, and other lines of credit. With the Essentials Plan, you’ll pay a first work fee of $89, then $79 per month.

Key Features To Look For In A Credit Repair Company

You can find one through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling’s agency finder tool or the Department of Justice’s list of approved credit counseling agencies. If improving your credit score is one of your goals for 2025, you’re not alone. With creditrepair tightening approval standards and interest rates fluctuating, having strong credit is more important than ever. But the process of rebuilding your credit can feel confusing—unless you have a clear plan. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a U.S. government agency dedicated to making sure you’re treated fairly by banks, lenders, and other financial institutions.

Advance Payment Scams

For The Clean Slate, clients pay $195 as a first work, with monthly payments of $119. The payments make up the biggest distribution yet from the CFPB’s victims relief fund, financed by civil penalties paid by companies that violate consumer protection laws, the agency said. While credit repair services can provide assistance, it comes at a cost and they can’t promise measurable results. Ultimately, aim to choose the solution that best aligns with your financial goals.

Payment history makes up 35% of your FICO score, and the total owed makes up 30%. So, paying down balances can have a quicker impact on your credit than simply paying your bills on time. If you’ve finally paid off a credit card, it may seem like a good idea to close the account to avoid the temptation of accumulating more debt. However, having unused credit can give you a low credit utilization ratio and have a positive effect on your credit score. Credit scoring models factor in the age of your oldest credit line and the average age of your accounts.

However, the actual time may vary depending on your account settings and whether you need to contact customer service. Most cancellations are processed immediately, but some may take up to 24 hours to take effect. Physical dispute letters are still the preferred method for sending the most effective disputes.

But rest assured, according to Experian, this will improve your credit score over the long term. If you have outstanding debts, paying them off can help improve your payment history and reduce your credit utilization ratio. So, while reading your credit report and keeping up with your credit score are good first steps, it’s also crucial to look for errors. If you spot any, it’s a relatively simple process to dispute those errors and have them removed. As you work to rebuild your credit history, it’s important to keep track of how your actions influence your progress.

The accuracy of the information on your credit report is also crucial. Disputing inaccuracies, even seemingly simple ones, requires gathering documentation and communicating with the credit bureaus, which takes time. These professionals offer personalized advice on overall financial management, including strategies for improving credit scores.

To calculate your credit utilization ratio, simply add together all of your credit limits from your revolving accounts to determine your total credit limit. Add together your outstanding balances from each account, and then divide them by your total credit limit. Catch up on CNBC Select’s in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money, and follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date. It’s also important to know that accurate, negative information cannot be removed. If a company says it can get every negative item removed from your credit report or that it uses tactics no one else knows about, that may be a red flag.

Being patient and practicing good financial habits could pay off in the long run. You could ask a trusted friend or family member to add you as an authorized user to their credit card account. The idea behind becoming an authorized user is that the primary cardholder’s responsible use of the account could help rebuild your credit. Another bonus is that there’s generally no application or credit check needed to become an authorized user. Our professionals have spent decades assisting people gain access to the credit they need and deserve, regardless of their starting point.

This is because multiple new accounts will cause lenders to wonder why you’re taking so many loans out in a short period of time, calling your financial situation into question. Payment history makes up 35% of your FICO score and 40% of your VantageScore. Settling those debts stops the bleeding, so your credit score doesn’t get any worse due to outstanding late payments. The U.S. FTC reported that Americans lost more than $10 billion to identity theft and fraud in 2023. Aura is one of the best identity theft protection services, and offers proactive digital security that helps protect you and your family from identity theft, fraud, and online threats while monitoring your credit.