There is a commercial on TV currently who’s tag line is “Want it done right? Do it yourself!”

Doing something yourself does mean that you know what happens every step of the way and you can be detail oriented. But, it does not necessarily mean the actions are done correctly, you receive the results desired or you shouldn’t ask for help along the way.

Credit Restoration and Debt Management is a lot like plumbing. Some of the steps can be simple and straight forward but if you make the wrong move you are going to wish you have a professional on speed dial.

The first step to repairing credit on your own is do your research and ask for advice. This does not mean google “credit repair”. The information posted by individuals is not necessarily correct. Remember, if you make the wrong move and accidentally give admission of guilt (which can be achieved by using the wrong wording) you can solidify an account and the way its reported on your credit for up to seven years. By “do your research” this means reading up on the FDCPA and FCRA. You can find the laws associated with collections and reporting. If you find an instance where a creditor or collector has violated the law regarding your account you can get that account removed and possibly the debt wiped out. As for asking for advice? A simple phone call to a credit counselor, debt counselor, credit consultant (like Chaffin Credit Consulting) or an attorney can help you figure out exactly how to approach the problem, how to properly word and argue your findings and where to submit the information. The phone call should take twenty minutes tops and each of these professionals should give you the guidance necessary free of charge.

The second step? Keep it simple. The companies reporting to the bureaus are likely very large. To them you don’t matter. Don’t send them a ten page argument for the removal of the account. Send them a one page argument that is direct and to the point and keep it objective.

“This is the account in question. This is the violation. Remove the account. You have this legal period of time to make the changes.”

The creditors reporting do NOT care if you went through a divorce, lost your job or didn’t know the bill existed. In fact, by providing personal information in your appeal you are much more likely to give admission of guilt. A personal appeal will tell the creditors that something happened and you messed up. It will not tell them they messed up.

The third step is to be patient. You have to wait for their response not only directly from the creditor but also from the bureaus. This can take thirty days and usually does.

Finally, if you do not achieve the desired results? Again, seek out help. The legitimate individuals working in credit and debt industries are in these industries to help people. (There are always scam artists! If they seem money hungry run away!).

I started Chaffin Credit Consulting so I could help make a difference in an industry where people are not educated as to their rights. On a daily basis the goal is to help individual fix their finances, learn from their mistakes and achieve their dreams.

Currently, credit runs the world. Your FICO score determines where you will live, how much money you will make and what you can have in life.  But, 99% of the population has no idea how their credit is being evaluated or if it is based off legitimate and legal information.