Something wrong on your credit report? Here is how to fix it.
Start with the item that is hurting your score. Learn what the law allows, how to dispute it yourself, and when it makes sense to get help.
Free tool
When will each item fall off my report?
Add each negative item and the month it started. For collections and charge-offs, use the month you first fell behind.
Try one
For collections and charge-offs, use the month the account first fell behind.
The last item falls off
Nov 2031
That is when they age off on their own. Items that are wrong or cannot be verified can come off sooner through a dispute.
- CollectionFrom May 2022, off in May 2029
- Late paymentFrom Nov 2024, off in Nov 2031
A free review shows what lenders see on your report, item by item.
Start your free reviewThis is a soft credit pull, so it won’t impact your score.
This free tool gives a general estimate based on what you enter. The Credit Pros makes no representations or guarantees about any outcome.
What is on your report?
Check it before you pay it
- Ask the collector to validate the debt within 30 days of their first notice.
- Check the date of first delinquency. Most negatives drop off after 7 years.
- Paying does not remove it. Pay-for-delete is sometimes possible, never promised.
One late payment can be fixed, or at least softened
- If it is wrong, dispute it with the bureau.
- If it is right, a goodwill letter to the lender sometimes works.
- It stays for 7 years, but hurts less each year.
Dispute it. The bureau has to investigate
- Get your free reports and circle every error.
- Dispute each one with the bureau that reports it.
- The bureau usually has 30 days to investigate and reply.
What to expect, and what is a red flag
- By law, a credit repair company cannot charge before it does the work.
- No one can legally promise to remove accurate information.
- Most people see changes in 3 to 6 months. It depends on the report.
$0
to dispute errors yourself
30 days
is how long a bureau usually has to investigate
7 years
for most negative items to fall off
Find the fix for your item
Every negative item has its own rules. Pick yours.
Guides for credit repair
Start where you are. Everything here is free to read.
Just learning
The basics of credit repair
Guide
What You Need To Know About The National Consumer Assistance Plan
Your rights, the bureaus and the FCRA
Guide
What is a Charge-Off: Impact on Credit Score and Steps to Recovery
Collections, charge-offs and debt buyers
Making a plan
Tools and plans you can use today
Free tool
Ready for help
When you want us to handle it
How it works
Free review
Every credit repair guide
Collections, charge-offs and debt buyers 13
- How to Fix “Paid Collection” Still Hurting Your Score: What Actually Changes and What Doesn’t
- Charge-Off vs Collection: Which One to Pay First for Score Recovery
- Re-Aging Debt: What It Is, How to Spot It, and How to Dispute It
- Date of First Delinquency (DOFD): What It Is and Why It Matters
- Pay-for-Delete Explained: When It Works, When It Doesn’t, and What to Say
- What is Zombie Debt & How to Remove It Before It Destroys Your Score
- Understanding Debt Buyers: The Middlemen of the Credit Industry
- Debt Validation Letters: Why They Matter Before You Pay
- How Statute of Limitations Affects Old Debts
- What is a Charge-Off: Impact on Credit Score and Steps to Recovery
- Understanding Phantom Debt: What It Is and How to Recognize It
- 3 Best Ways to Delete Collection Accounts
- You Need to Know Your Rights: The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Credit repair: how it works, cost and scams 9
- The Pros and Cons of Credit Repair Apps
- The Role of AI in Credit Repair: How Technology is Changing the Game
- Staying Alert: How to Spot and Avoid Common Credit Repair Scams
- Is Credit Repair Legal? Super Guide
- Cheap Credit Repair: 5 Best Companies
- How Long Does Credit Repair Take?
- Professional Credit Repair vs DIY: Which is Better?
- How Much Does a Credit Repair Service Cost?
- How Do Credit Repair Services Work?
Dispute errors 8
- Credit Repair for “Consumer Statement” Notes: Do They Hurt Approvals and How to Remove Them?
- How to Fix “High Balance” Reporting Errors That Inflate Utilization
- Disputing “Duplicate Tradelines” From the Same Debt Sold Multiple Times
- Steps to Dispute Public Records Errors in Your Credit Report
- Tips for Successfully Removing Old Addresses from Credit Report
- Mixed Credit Files - 4 Possible Reasons
- 4 Steps: How To Fix Errors On Your Credit Report
- How the Dispute Process Works
Read your credit report 8
- Credit Repair After Loan Denial: How to Read Adverse Action Notices and Fix the Real Issue
- How to Read a Credit Report and Understand It Clearly
- Tips for Effective Credit Improvement and ChexSystems Management
- Understanding LexisNexis and Credit Improvement: Key Insights for Consumers
- Credit Report - 7 Year Rule
- Information Not Found on Credit Reports
- What’s the Difference between Credit Report and Credit Scores
- Why You Should Check Your Credit Report Every Year
Your rights, the bureaus and the FCRA 4
Late payments and goodwill letters 3
Medical debt 2
Repossessions, evictions and other negatives 2
Remove hard inquiries 1
Common questions
Can I repair my credit myself?
Yes. Disputing with the bureaus is free, and the law gives you the right to do it. We do the same work for people who want it done for them.
How long does credit repair take?
Most people see changes in 3 to 6 months. It depends on how many items there are and how the bureaus respond.
Can accurate negative items be removed?
Not by law. Accurate items stay until they age off. Items that are wrong or cannot be verified can be removed.
More credit help
See your credit through a lender’s eyes.
Get your free credit review to see where you stand. This is a soft credit pull, so it won’t impact your score.