Credit Repair FAQ

What exactly is credit repair?

Credit repair is the process of reviewing your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, identifying items that are inaccurate, outdated, or unverifiable, and formally disputing those items under your rights granted by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). When disputes are successful, those items are corrected or removed — which typically raises your credit score.

Is credit repair legal?

Yes, 100%. The FCRA explicitly gives every American the right to dispute inaccurate information on their credit report. Working with a professional credit repair company is also fully legal under the Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA). Anyone telling you credit repair is a scam either doesn't understand the law or is confusing legitimate repair with illegal practices like using a Credit Privacy Number (CPN) — which we never do.

Can I do credit repair myself?

1. Technically yes — the FCRA gives you the right to dispute items yourself. But most people get better results with a professional company because:
2. we know which disputes have the highest success rates,
3. we track every dispute and follow up properly,
4. we know what evidence to include and how to escalate, and
5. we do this full time and understand creditor patterns. It's like doing your own taxes vs. hiring a CPA — possible DIY, but professionals typically get better results.

What can and can't be removed from my credit report?

We regularly help clients remove: collections, late payments, charge-offs, repossessions, medical debt, duplicate accounts, accounts that don't belong to you, items past their reporting limit (usually 7 years), bankruptcies older than 10 years, and any item the creditor or bureau can't properly verify. Every credit profile is different — during your free consultation we'll review your report and show you exactly what we can target.

How long does credit repair take?

The bureaus have 30–45 days to investigate each dispute. Most clients begin seeing results within 30–60 days. A full credit repair process typically takes 3–6 months, though some complex cases (multiple bankruptcies, many accounts) can take longer. There's no honest answer of 'we'll fix it in 2 weeks' — anyone promising that is misleading you.

How much can my score go up?

It depends entirely on what's on your report. Some clients see a 50-point jump after one cycle. Others gain 100+ points over 6 months. Clients who started with mostly errors and outdated items tend to see the biggest gains. We've also had clients who came to us with already-clean reports and learned they had very little to dispute — we tell them that upfront.

How does Crowned Credit's process work?

1. You sign up and pull your credit reports.
2. Our team reviews every item across all three bureaus.
3. We identify what's disputable and build your dispute strategy.
4. We send formal dispute letters on your behalf each month.
5. We track responses, escalate when needed, and repeat the cycle.
6. You see updates on your reports and we keep adjusting strategy until we've maximized your results.

What does Crowned Credit charge?

We offer three plans to fit different needs: Essential ($150 setup + $99/month), Accelerated ($249 setup + $199/month — our most popular), and Momentum ($1,095 one-time payment). All plans include professional dispute services across all three bureaus. See full details on our pricing page.

Am I locked into a long-term contract?

No. You can cancel at any time. Most clients stay until they've hit their credit goals, which is typically 3–6 months. We don't hold you hostage — if you're happy with your results and want to stop, that's your right.

What do I need to provide to get started?

You'll need to pull your credit reports (we'll help you do this) and provide basic identifying information so we can prepare dispute letters on your behalf. No upfront financial documents needed.

Will you tell me if you can't help me?

Yes. If we pull your reports and see nothing disputable, we'll tell you that honestly rather than take your money. We're building a reputation on results — not billing clients who don't need us.

Do you work with clients in all 50 states?

Yes. We work with clients across the US. Credit repair laws (FCRA, CROA) are federal, so geographic location doesn't change what we can do for you.

How does a dispute actually work?

When we dispute an item, we send a formal written challenge to the credit bureau stating that the item is inaccurate, outdated, or unverifiable. The bureau is legally required under the FCRA to investigate within 30 days. They contact the original furnisher and ask them to verify the information. If the furnisher can't verify it — or doesn't respond in time — the bureau must delete or correct the item.

What if a dispute gets rejected?

Rejection is not the end of the road. We can send a secondary dispute with different framing or additional evidence, dispute directly with the furnisher (creditor) rather than the bureau, escalate to a supervisor review, file a complaint with the CFPB, or pursue legal action if there's a clear FCRA violation. Most successful credit repair involves multiple rounds of disputes.

Can the same item be disputed more than once?

Yes. If a previous dispute was rejected, you can re-dispute with new information, a different approach, or by disputing with the creditor directly. Bureaus can declare repeat disputes 'frivolous' if they're identical, which is why each round needs a fresh strategy.

What happens if the creditor verifies the item?

If the creditor verifies the information as accurate and it's still within the reporting period, it stays. At that point, we look at whether there are technical errors in how it was reported (wrong dates, wrong balance, wrong status codes) that could still support a dispute.

What's the difference between disputing with the bureau vs. the creditor?

Bureau disputes trigger the 30-day FCRA investigation clock and are the most common approach. Creditor disputes go straight to the source and can be more effective when the bureau keeps verifying an item — because you're challenging the creditor's own records rather than waiting on the bureau to relay the dispute.

Which credit score do lenders actually use?

Most mortgage lenders use FICO Scores — specifically the 'classic' FICO 2, FICO 4, and FICO 5 models. Auto lenders often use FICO Auto Score 8. Credit card companies often use FICO Score 8. The free scores from Credit Karma and Experian are VantageScore, which is different and usually scores higher than your actual FICO. Always ask a lender which score model they pull.

Will checking my own credit report hurt my score?

No. Checking your own credit is a 'soft inquiry' and has zero impact on your score. Only 'hard inquiries' from lenders (when you apply for credit) affect your score — and even those typically lower your score by only 2–5 points temporarily.

How long does it take for my score to update after an item is removed?

Once the bureau processes the deletion, your score typically updates within the next reporting cycle — usually within 30 days.

My score went down after paying off a collection. Why?

Paying a collection doesn't remove it from your report — it changes its status to 'paid collection,' which can still hurt your score. This is one reason credit strategy matters: in some cases, it's better to negotiate a 'pay for delete' agreement rather than just paying and leaving the item on your report.

What's a good credit score?

FICO Score ranges: 300–579 = Poor, 580–669 = Fair, 670–739 = Good, 740–799 = Very Good, 800–850 = Exceptional. For most practical purposes — getting approved for good rates on a mortgage, car loan, or credit card — you want to be at 700+. At 740+, you typically qualify for the best rates lenders offer.

How long do negative items stay on my credit report?

Most negative items stay for 7 years from the date of first delinquency. Bankruptcies stay for 10 years (Chapter 7) or 7 years (Chapter 13). Hard inquiries stay for 2 years but only affect your score for about 12 months.

Can bankruptcy be removed before 10 years?

Rarely, but it's possible if there are reporting errors (wrong filing date, wrong chapter type, incorrect account listings) or if the bankruptcy itself was entered in error. A legitimate, accurately reported bankruptcy is very difficult to remove early. However, even with bankruptcy on your report, you can rebuild meaningful credit within 2–3 years.

What's a 'pay for delete' and does it work?

Pay for delete is when you negotiate with a collection agency to remove the account from your credit report entirely in exchange for payment. It's not legally required of creditors, but some will do it — especially smaller debt buyers. Larger creditors and banks rarely agree to pay for delete. It's worth attempting before paying, but don't expect it to always work.

Do medical collections affect my credit?

1. Yes, but rules have changed. Under newer CFPB guidelines:
2. paid medical collections are removed immediately,
3. medical collections under $500 are no longer included in credit reports, and
4. there's a 12-month waiting period before new medical debt can appear on your report. However, large unpaid medical collections still impact your score significantly.

What's the difference between a charge-off and a collection?

A charge-off is when the original creditor writes the debt off their books as a loss (usually after 120–180 days of non-payment). They may then sell the debt to a collection agency. A collection is when a third-party debt collector takes on the account. You can end up with BOTH showing on your report — two negative items for one debt.

Can I start rebuilding credit while disputes are in progress?

Absolutely — and you should. Credit repair removes the bad; credit building adds the good. While disputes are being processed, you can open a secured credit card, become an authorized user on someone's account, get a credit builder loan, or have your rent and utilities reported through services like Experian Boost.

What's the fastest way to build credit from scratch?

1. The fastest proven approach:
2. Open a secured credit card,
3. become an authorized user on a family member's old, well-managed account,
4. use your secured card for small purchases each month,
5. pay the full balance before the due date. If you do all three at once, you can get to a 650+ score in 6–12 months from a thin file.

Should I close old accounts once they're paid off?

No. Closing old accounts reduces your total available credit (hurting your utilization ratio) and can lower the average age of your accounts. Both of these hurt your score. Keep old accounts open with low or zero balances whenever possible.

How many credit cards should I have?

There's no magic number. Most credit experts suggest 2–4 open revolving accounts is a healthy range. What matters more than quantity is how you use them: keep utilization below 30% on each card, never miss a payment, and don't apply for multiple cards in a short window.

What's credit utilization and why does it matter so much?

Credit utilization is the percentage of your available revolving credit that you're using. It's the second most important factor in your FICO score (after payment history), accounting for about 30% of your score. High utilization — above 30% — significantly drags your score down. The sweet spot is under 10%.

How do I spot a credit repair scam?

1. Red flags:
2. They guarantee specific results before seeing your report.
3. They ask for full payment upfront before doing any work.
4. They tell you to dispute everything on your report, even accurate items.
5. They suggest creating a new identity using a CPN — this is federal fraud.
6. They tell you not to contact the credit bureaus yourself.
7. They don't explain your rights under the CROA. Legitimate credit repair companies are transparent, work legally, and don't promise things they can't deliver.

What is a Credit Privacy Number (CPN) and is it legal?

A CPN is a 9-digit number that scammers sell as an alternative to your Social Security Number for credit applications. It is illegal. Using a CPN to apply for credit is federal fraud, potentially including identity theft and wire fraud charges. If anyone offers you a 'new credit identity,' walk away immediately. Crowned Credit never uses or recommends CPNs.