After filing for bankruptcy, you may be anxious to improve your credit score as quickly as possible. Because of this, the credit repair services offered by credit repair clinics may seem extremely tempting. However, if you are considering using the credit repair services of a company, there are several reasons why you should approach this solution with caution.
Some credit repair clinics will use fraudulent and even illegal tactics to help you potentially improve your credit. For example, in the past, repair clinics have been caught using the files of people who have passed away or are under the age of 18 and substituting them with the files of those who have poor credit. Others have been known to encourage their patrons to use an IRS Employee Identification number instead of their Social Security Number to apply for credit.
Many of the credit repair services offered by these clinics include strategies you can do on your own. For instance, some may offer to help you remove incorrect information from your credit report. However, under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you can eliminate incorrect items off of your report on your own. Others may advise you to apply for a secured credit card and give you a list of providers. While this is helpful, it is information you can obtain for free without paying a credit repair clinic.
At Leonard & Moore, PLLC, our credit repair services are different than the ones offered by these clinics because they are designed to help you overcome your financial difficulties and improve your credit score quickly, steadily, and legally. Contact us today for more information—we serve clients from Asheville, Spruce Pine, Marion, Sylva Waynesville, Hendersonville, Brevard, Murphy, and surrounding areas in North Carolina.
