After reading a fair share of misleading credit repair advice on the web, we found this article by Examiner.com to be a refreshing review of the right things to do when it comes to do-it-yourself credit repair:

You see, at Veracity, we approach everything we do with complete transparency. We do not claim to do anything that you cannot do yourself. We do however, for the most part, have greater experience with the information and tools needed to repair credit.

If anything, we think Leslie Davis sums up DIY credit repair pretty well when she says:

It is possible to fix your own credit if you have the tenacity, diligence, stubbornness, patience and time to harass all three bureaus endlessly.

Yep. That’s about right (although we don’t recommend “harassing” anyone). And that is precisely why credit repair services like Veracity exist in the first place. Law allows for you to repair your own credit, to request credit reports and file disputes with the three bureaus. However, knowledge doesn’t always equal time. And you need plenty of that to put in all the work required to repair your credit.

What Ms. Davis tells you about credit reports is true: You are entitled to a free one every year (which, as she mentions, can be obtained at AnnualCreditReport.com). Once you’ve deciphered your credit report, then you can approach credit repair DIY-style by beginning to file disputes and awaiting responses.

But don’t be surprised if credit repair is a bit overwhelming by yourself. After all, your credit took a long time to get in the shape it’s in, so repair isn’t going to happen over night. Veracity has the diligence and experience needed to deal with the credit bureaus and get the best results.

Ms. Davis gives a 12-step summary concerning credit repair that is both informative and very accurate, including one of Veracity’s tried-and-true pieces of advice: paying your bills on time. As Ms. Davis points out:

Most people with high 700 or low 800 scores pay off the balances religiously. In doing so they avoid the interest associated with using the credit and boost their scores.

And she goes on in the next step:

If you have existing debt, the best way to get the scores up is to pay down the debt. If you do carry credit card balances, spread out the debt over multiple credit cards. Opening new lines of credit involves credit inquiries. This will have an impact, but it will be offset by the benefit of low balances, assuming that is possible. Sometimes there is too much debt involved to pursue this tactic. If you are already close to the limit on several cards, it is not a good idea to apply for additional credit. It would do more harm than good.

This second section goes beyond the “pay your bills” common sense advice, bringing up another good point. If you are having credit issues and you are trying to repair your credit, think twice before applying for new lines of credit. While it will increase your overall balance, there is the initial negative that comes with your credit report being pulled (which will happen any time you apply for new credit) and the fact that, if you’re already in debt, you probably don’t need more.

Ms. Davis’ advise and 12 steps to credit repair are something that we, at Veracity, can get behind. But if you find DIY credit repair to be too much, just contact us and we can help you through the process and get you on your way to financial freedom.

By jumping to the conclusion that all credit repair services are a scam or are out to take consumers’ cash, some financial advisers are willing to lead those in need away from the credit help they desire.

This article by Jordan FeRoss found at pressemeldungen.com is careful not to do that. FeRoss and his team of credit repair experts at MSI Credit give some encouragement that we, at Veracity Credit Consultants, can stand behind. Check it out:

http://www.pressemeldungen.at/85853/credit-repair-from-a-credit-repair-company/

For the most part, FeRoss’ short synopsis of the credit repair service is accurate, and in some cases, very accurate:

Consumers who contact the credit bureaus themselves to have incorrect information removed generally have a hard time doing so without the help of a credit repair service. Even consumers who have a legitimate complaint can run into problems when dealing with the credit bureaus. A credit repair service has experience, however, when it comes to dealing with credit bureaus and can make progress where an individual can have a hard time.

It is often mistaken as being in our own interest for credit repair companies to sound their own horn. Sure, we’ve got bills to pay, too, and we need clients in order for our own company to stay afloat. And, as FeRoss points out, there are some expenses involved in repairing credit. But credit repair agencies that are in the business only for profit give the rest a bad name.

See, at Veracity our motive is to help you repair your credit within the law and within your rights. If we ever fail to please our customers, we always give them the option of canceling their membership with no risk or obligation.

We’d also like to commend the article on another strong point made about credit repair: While credit repair can help you remove negative, erroneous information from your credit report, it is important for the consumer themselves to learn to be responsible and stick to a firm budget in order to maintain any repairs that are made. As FeRoss puts it:

Once the debts are repaid customers have to stick to the budget they made or they could find themselves back in the same situation.

And as he also points out, a good credit repair company goes beyond just contacting bureaus for disputes. A good credit repair service helps you to design a plan and a budget, so that when your credit improves, you are able to maintain it. As the old saying goes: “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.” The key to credit repair is you, the consumer.

Admittedly, credit repair services are a mixed bag, and therefore they get a lot of mixed reviews. A lot of credit analysts tout do-it-yourself credit repair. Here at Veracity, we’re not just touting credit repair because that’s what we do and it’s how we get paid, we tout it because it is a valuable service that works, making life a little easier for you in the process.

We found the article “How to Take the Frustration Out of Repairing Your Credit” by Chris A. Smith at Pressemeldungen.com (http://www.pressemeldungen.at/85296/how-to-take-the-frustration-out-of-repairing-your-credit/) to be very informative, and we’d like to expand on it a little.

In the article, Mr. Smith encourages consumers to look into credit repair:

You’re willing to pay for [credit repair] service because it makes sense.

He’s right … it does!

Do it yourself credit repair kits and other resources such as sample letters and e-books are available at literally hundreds of different web sites. Trying to repair your credit using these tools is akin to trying to repair your car using the owners manual. Both experiences will prove frustrating, time consuming and will come with no guarantee that the repair will be fixed after you are done.

At Veracity, we believe in you, and we’re sure that you’re capable of fixing your credit, if you absolutely have to. But do you have the tools or experience? If not, wouldn’t you rather let someone who DOES have the experience and tools take help you? Doesn’t that seem like less of a headache?

Mr. Smith gives even more good advice:

Choosing the right credit repair firm is an exercise in common sense. Like mechanics there are good ones and there are bad ones. Absolutely stay away from companies that promise pie in the sky offers. Credit repair is not accomplished overnight but is rather an ongoing project over months. When evaluating firms consider their experience, time in business, affordability, cancellation and refund policies and their standing with the Better Business Bureau.

While choosing a good credit repair service is, indeed, “an exercise in common sense,” it can still be difficult because of all the options. And, like choosing a mechanic, if you get stuck with a bad credit repair service, you risk having more harm done than good.

When Mr. Smith talks about “pie in the sky offers,” he may as well be talking about guarantees. The reason is, there are no guarantees when it comes to repairing credit. If any credit repair service tells you different, then keep searching.

The first reason for this is that, according to the Credit Repair Organization Act, it’s illegal. You simply cannot make that guarantee.

Furthermore, no credit repair service can be sure how their client is going to behave, or what kind of unique credit situation they might be in. If a company guarantees to raise your credit score, but all the while you refuse to pay your bills, we CAN guarantee your score will not go up.

Also, no credit repair service and, in fact, nobody at all, can take legitimate negatives off your credit report.

At Veracity, we are dedicated to doing everything in our ability to get erroneous information removed from your credit report. We also counsel you on credit maintenance and prepare you with plan of action, most of which (aside from pulling your credit report) we will put in motion.

Coinciding with Mr. Smith’s wise advice, we also recommend that our clients remember: credit repair does not happen overnight. It can be a fairly lengthy process that takes patience and determination. Veracity can help keep you motivated and determined during the process, though.

As far as Veracity goes:

Our costs are comparable to any credit repair service, with an affordable one-time membership and low monthly payments, and our clients have the right to cancel at any time, with no additional charges.

At Veracity, we aim to help you be happy with your credit. And we believe, if you join now, we can do just that.

Boy has this little article coming from Channel 9 WMUR in Concord, N.H. ever created a stir:

http://www.wmur.com/news/19811693/detail.html

It seems that the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act is finally leading state judicial systems, and therefore collectors themselves, to take heed to law when it comes to collecting outstanding debt.

Here at Veracity, we do not condone avoiding your bills. As we’ve always said, the best way of keeping your credit in good standing is to pay all your bills and pay them on time. However, things come up and this is sometimes easier said than done. When, or if, you find yourself on the other side of a collections account, remember that they have rules to follow, too.

In the case of Ms. Rosemary Gilroy in New Hampshire, she was able to sue the collection agency for repeated and harassing phone calls. This is just one of the rights you have that protects you from questionable, abusive, deceptive and unfair collection practices.

There are also laws in place that regulate and prevent the following:

• When, where and how collection agencies acquire personal information, including location or address
• When, where and how they contact the consumer, or anyone associated with the consumer (i.e. friends, family, cosigners)
• Harassment or abuse
• False or misleading representation
• False or misleading paperwork
• Debt validation policies and procedures

You can access the entire act yourself at:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf

The above link is also useful in contacting the necessary people if you feel that the collection agency you’re dealing with has violated any of these policies. Also, you can check the laws of your specific state online, for instance the Colorado Attorney General’s website is located at:

http://www.ago.state.co.us/consumer_protection.cfmMenuPage=True.html

At Veracity, we understand that things don’t always work out the way you want. But even if you’ve found yourself in a financial hole, it’s important that you know you have rights and that you arm yourself with them, so that you may be treated fairly as you attempt to put your credit life back in order. Don’t be bullied by collection agencies; know your consumer rights and use them!

If you have any further questions about your consumer rights, call Veracity at 1.800.518.2194.