If you've found this page after taking a look around the rest of this site, you've probabally noticed that we frequently mention the various options that you have when it comes to a very important undertaking in your financial life, which is taking steps to repair (or simply to improve) your credit. You may already have decent, or even good credit… but there are numerous advantages to working to increase your credit score, even if you're already in a great place.
By understanding how your credit score is calculated and how it all works, you're able to take steps to improve it – and to avoid falling into common traps that will hurt your score. It's really a two-pronged approach to start improve your credit score today…
Here's a List of the Top (and Legitimate) Credit Repair Companies of 2018:
Avoiding traps: Fines, penalties for late payments, increased interest rates, flat-out ignoring bills that you can't pay right now… it can happen to anyone. Sometimes, we're in a tough place, that's life. Don't beat yourself up over your mistakes, but don't ignore them either. If you have arrears, credit companies calling you, or even if you're just not going to be able to make your credit card payment next month, the best thing you can do is to get ahead of those things.
Don't ignore phone calls, don't avoid opening bills or other mail if it feels like it's too much to deal with… Simply getting ahead of the game again is possibly the biggest, most important step towards credit repair. If there are frequently, new, negative additions to your report, it'll get harder and harder to get ahead of the game. To put it bluntly, the first thing you've got to do is to stop the bleeding.
There's an old saying that goes “it's expensive to be poor”, and when you think of all the extra fees that banks will tack on when you're not on top of these sorts of things, not to mention the damage to your credit score, it highlights how important this first step is. It's tough, because these things make people anxious, and it's easier to just ignore it in the short term, but the best time to do something is right now.
Fixing the past: After you've built your defenses and done as much as you can to avoid new negative hits on your credit score, it's time to start taking care of the existing blemishes that are dragging you down. So that there's no confusion, the first step was all about doing whatever you can to prevent future negative items on your score, and this next step is all about fixing the old ones.
There may even be notes on your credit report that are bringing you down that are erroneous, and need to removed. There's a whole process to it, which you can certainly learn and take on as your personal project, but frankly it's quite tedious to deal with all of the different credit bureaus and creditors. The best credit repair companies can help you to improve your score, but they aren't all identical.
They each have their pros, along with areas in which they still need to improve. None the less, these companies are all experienced in helping people erase that bad marks from their scores. When it comes to fixing the past, it's a real process. That's why people choose to go the route of hiring a professional to take care of this for them.
We'll assume that by now, you're at least semi-versed in the pitfalls of trying to go at this all-alone, and have decided to enlist the help of a company. That's the first decision taken care of, but now you've got to decide which company you should hire to help repair your credit score. We'll use the word repair often, but as we alluded to earlier, if you're credit is “good” it could still be “great”, if it's “great” you can still strive for “excellent”. Don't think that this information, and the benefits of acting upon it, are only going to apply to those who are in the “red zone”, and are starting off with very bad credit. As we've highlighted in the past, the difference between a ‘good' credit score and a ‘great' one can save you tens of thousands, or even more, in financing charges throughout your life (A small % better rate on your mortgage, for instance, adds up to a very surprising amount of savings over the course of a year.)
Let's quickly summarize what we've discussed thus far, before we move onto our comparison of credit card repair companies. We've gone over the fact that sometimes, life and circumstances get the better of us, and anyone can fall into a financial hole. It happens. We've discussed some basic strategies to stop any new negative line items from appearing on your credit score, and taken a look at some of your options when it comes to touching up past or current strikes that are actively preventing you from achieving a better credit score. Finally, we emphasized the fact that this isn't only for people with really rough credit, people with better credit can also benefit from working towards a better score.
Some people decide to go it alone and learn the ropes as they go, but many people simply don't like having to deal with this type of thing in the most hands-on way (If we're being honest, sometimes that's how people get into this mess in the first place). If you have decided to check out some of the companies that offer credit score repairs, you'll appreciate this resource that we've built to compare them.
1. Sky Blue
Earlier we mentioned how come companies have been around for so long that they were doing business when things were more like “The Wild West”, and the fact that they've managed to stick around proves how legitimate and helpful they are, and Sky Blue is a perfect example of this. When many competitors at the time went belly-up, Sky Blue shows that they never had to rely on tricks or being misleading like some of the older companies from this industry that aren't around anymore.
They offer a very reasonable price, in fact it's the lowest we've seen on a month-to-month basis. They have an incredible 90 day money back guarantee if you aren't satisfied with the results.
Quick facts about the Sky Blue:
- They have been in the credit repair business since 1989.
- They offer assistance with disputes and can help when things aren't going smoothly.
- They also offer personalized counseling of your credit score from a professional.
How much does it Cost?
Their initial fee is $59, and that's the same amount you'll pay each month.
Customer Testimonials for Sky Blue
“Thank you for the great service by the way, my score has went up almost 100 points in the last two or three months!” – Anthony B.
“Great, thanks very much. You guys have great customer service. Also, I am sure your work helped me get my home loan and recent credit card, which was the whole purpose.” – Guy L.
Read our comprehensive Sky Blue Review Here!
2. Lexington Law
As one of the largest companies dedicated to credit repair, who are equipped to assist customers nationwide, it's no surprise to see Lexington Law on this list. They have helped over 500,000 people since their inception in the early '90s. For a company that deals with repairing credit to stick around and earn a stellar reputation through the years, and to thrive under stricter regulations while competitors couldn't keep up and had to close their doors, it is very telling. It tells us that Lexington Law knows what they're doing, they know how to help people fix their credit, they know how to deal with the various agencies, they have a large staff of lawyers and paralegals…
In this industry, it's impossible to guarantee results, keep in mind that with any credit repair company you're paying them to do the work, and be weary of anyone who guarantees that they can drastically improve your credit score in almost no time at all. That's just not how it works. Stick to trustworthy and reputable brands like Lexington.
Quick facts about Lexington Law:
- A staff of over 400 experts work together to ensure all of their clients are well taken care of.
- They have an A- rating at the Better Business Bureau.
- You do not need to sign any contracts, you can cancel anytime. Keep in mind that changes to your score won't show up instantly, don't expect it to be perfect the next day.
- Decades of experience in the field of credit repair for consumers.
- They offer a $50 discount for people who are actively serving in the military, as well as couples and family members who sign up together.
How much does Lexington Law cost?
Lexington Law changes $99.95 to get started, and then you're billed at a monthly rate that starts around $80, depending on which package you select.
Here's what their customers have to say:
“Your firm is absolutely outstanding! I must admit that I was doubtful… Thank you so much for your help! I feel like I am becoming “credit human” again!” – C.A.
“I just wanted to thank for for the great work you are doing for me. I'm very excited about the progress you've made and continue to look forward to more in the future. Thank you for your time and for your consistently good customer relations. Each time I've had a question I've been answered in 1 business day. Thanks again.” – A.B.
Read our comprehensive Lexington Law Review Here!
3. CreditRepair.com
If you're looking for credit monitoring to go along with your credit repair, the people at CreditRepair.com have an all-in option that'll cover you from all angles. They begin by checking where you're currently at in terms of your credit score, and then they will challenge all of the items that have a possibility of being removed, finally you can use their online dashboards or apps to track changes to your score, as the undesirable strikes hopefully begin to vanish very quickly!
Quick facts about CreditRepair.com:
- They have an A+ rating at the Better Business Bureau. Outstanding!
- They'll not only track your score, but they'll help you analyze it as well.
- They offer a mobile app along with alerts to let you know about changes to your score.
- There's no additional fees to have them monitor your TransUnion credit score.
- They've been in the business for nearly two decades.
- You don't have to sign any contracts, you can cancel your subscription whenever you want.
How much does CreditRepair.com cost?
They charge a $12.95 fee for initial setup, and then $99.95 per month. Compare the actual options and services you're getting with that fee, and they're very competitive.
Here's what their customers have to say:
“CreditRepair.com has made a huge difference in my credit score. They have removed over 56% of negative items off of my credit report. It is worth the time and the money to use this service. I can't say enough positive things about this company. Thank you CreditRepair.com, you have helped me in rebuilding my credit score” – Gary Thomas, LA
“In just two weeks after joining CreditRepair.com 3 negative items have been removed from my credit report and they are still working on removing more. I am very happy I joined CreditRepair.com” – Dave Ables, LA
Read our comprehensive CreditRepair.com Review Here!
4. The Credit People
The Credit People have an easy sign-up process. Just get in touch with them online or on the phone, and they'll handle everything you need. They'll give you free credit reports and scores as they work on your file, so you can keep tabs on where you're starting and where you end up. They say that you'll start to see improvements to your score and rating in a month and a half or less, but it goes without saying that results can vary greatly with this sort of thing.
Their website says that on average, customers experience a 7% reduction in negative items on their credit reports every single month. That's a stellar improvement, especially when you look at their 6-month bundle which we'll go over in a moment.
Quick facts about The Credit People:
They have been in business for over 7 years. It's long enough to know exactly what they're doing, but not as long as others. Sometimes, that can be a good thing, since they could be more nimble and willing to go that extra mile to earn new business.
They have helped over 50,000 clients. That's no small number, but it pales in comparison to others.
They offer a complete 100% money-back guarantee if you aren't satisfied, which is not something you see everyday for this type of service. They're confidant in their skills.
How much do The Credit People cost?
The Credit People offer an affordable package, starting with a $19 setup fee and then $59 per month. Make sure you compare them to Lexington Law and others to ensure you're getting all of the products and services that you need.
They also offer a one-time six-month repair program for $299, which is a bargain in our opinion. That averages out to a mere $29/mo, then after six months you can assess the progress and decide if you need any more work, or if you're already thrilled with the results.
Here's what their customers have to say:
“Before this service, I couldn't even get an apartment. Now I'm in a new home and I am building a new life.” – Tony, CO
“Thank you for the advice. I am very happy with the work you are doing. The credit people have really done an amazing job for me and my wife. I can't thank you enough for taking a special interest in our case like you have. I have received help from at least a half a dozen people over there and everyone has been so nice and helpful. You're a great company.” – Guss, NJ
Read our comprehensive “The Credit People” Review Here!
5. Ovation
Ovation presents the following surprising statistics: 25% of credit reports contain errors that are severe enough to prevent people from getting credit. Nearly 4 out of 5 credit reports contain at least one error. Ovation has a very nice website, their service is incredibly easy to navigate and use. With a free consultation available, and useful tools to help you along the way, they're worth checking out.
They average 19 improvements per customer, which is quite impressive when you consider the huge impact that can have on your credit score. Make sure you take a look at both of their programs, one of them is less expensive per month, but the Plus program offers a lot more. In either case, they're offering up a great value to their clients.
Quick facts about Ovation:
- They can co-operate with your creditors to come up with deals that work for all parties.
- They offer a refund policy.
- They were founded in 2004.
- They have over 12 years of experience in credit repair.
How much does Ovation cost?
Ovation has very customer-friendly payment terms. Their initial fee is a bit on the higher side at $85, but their monthly fee is a very low $59, or $89 for their Plus package with adds unlimited validation and goodwill letters, 24/7 TransUnion credit monitoring, and a lot more.
Here's what their customers have to say:
“My experian Score just went up 76 points!! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!! I will stay on this system FOREVER!!!!” – D.S.
“I would like to take a moment just to say thank you very much for the hard work and effort you have put into restoring my credit. Without Ovation I would be lost. Again thank you very much” – TC
Read our comprehensive Ovation Credit Services Review Here!
6. The Credit Assistance Network
The Credit Assistance Network offers a large list of services that they offer, which not all of their competitors provide. One of the downsides to this option is that they have a long list of items on their website, a comparison table between themselves and unnamed “competitors”, and many items on that list don't accurately reflect their competitors. We won't get into all of the details, but it's a good opportunity to remind you to do your research – so it's a good thing you're here!
That's not a knock on their service as a whole, but questionable claims like that aren't the best look. It says many of their competitors don't offer particular services when, in fact, they do. It could be that their list was geared towards a particular competitor, and not all of them as a whole.
In any case, this particular company has many positive reviews of their own, and are certainly worth taking a look at as you research which option to go with.
Quick facts about The Credit Assistance Network:
- They have over 50 five-star reviews on TrustLink.
- They offer a 100% money-back guarantee, which is always a good sign. It gives you the opportunity to explore multiple services without worrying about wasting money if one of them doesn't work out.
- They work to remove all of the negative records from your credit score.
- They offer 1 on 1 coaching to help you get out of a bad place, and to ensure you never fall back into bad habits, or that you're prepared for any type of financial emergency. People get into debt for a variety of reasons, but it's never bad to be more prepared.
- They've been operating since 2004.
How much does The Credit Assistance Network cost?
They don't list their prices on their website, at lease not in a place we were able to locate them.
Here's what their customers have to say:
“When it comes to your finances, it can be hard to find someone to trust.My credit specialist was not only upfront and honest, but also non-judgmental toward my financial situation and truly wanted to help.” – Jacqueline G
“My credit was horrific, now it's terrific! I really thank god I found you.” – Daphney B.
