You Can Fix Credit Report Errors Yourself, for Free

The money angle: you do not need to pay to fix your credit

If your credit report has a mistake on it, that error can cost you. It can mean higher interest rates, a turned down loan, or a rejected apartment application. So it makes sense that you would want it fixed fast.

Here is the good news. You can dispute errors on your own credit reports for free. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says plainly that credit repair companies cannot do anything for you that you cannot do yourself at no cost.

That means the money some companies charge is money you do not have to spend. The official path to fixing errors is free.

How the pitch works, and why to be careful

Some credit repair companies promise to clean up your credit or remove bad marks for a fee. They may sound confident and fast. But the law sets limits on what they are allowed to do and say.

Under the Credit Repair Organizations Act, companies cannot make you pay before they finish the work they promised. They cannot tell you to lie about your credit history. And they cannot promise to remove accurate, negative information, because no one can do that.

Accurate information that is negative stays on your report for the time the law allows. A company that says it can erase true, up to date information is not being honest with you.

Red flags to watch for

Watch for a company that wants payment up front before doing any work. Watch for one that tells you not to contact the credit bureaus directly. Watch for one that suggests you dispute accurate information or create a new credit identity.

Also be careful with any pitch that guarantees a specific score jump or promises to remove true negative items. These are signs the FTC warns about.

If a company is pushing you to pay first and promising big results, slow down. The free route is available to you right now.

The free official route

You have the right to dispute errors with the credit bureaus yourself. When you report a mistake, the bureau generally must investigate it. If the information is wrong, it gets corrected or removed, and you do not pay a cent.

OpenFinancial is not a government agency and not a credit bureau. We just point you to the free, official tools so you can keep your own money in your pocket.

Frequently asked questions

Can a credit repair company remove accurate negative items?

No. The FTC says no one can legally remove accurate, up to date negative information from your credit report. A company that promises this is not being truthful.

Does it cost money to dispute an error?

No. The FTC says disputing errors on your credit reports is free, and you can do it yourself without paying a company.

Should I pay a company before it does the work?

Be very careful. The Credit Repair Organizations Act says companies cannot charge you until they have completed the services they promised.

Is OpenFinancial a credit bureau or government agency?

No. We are a free resource that points you to official tools. The official path to fix credit errors is free and runs through the credit bureaus and the FTC.