General Credit Questions

Q: What is a credit score?

A credit score is a three-digit number (typically between 300–850) that represents your creditworthiness based on your credit history.

Q: What factors affect my credit score?

Your score is influenced by:

Payment history

Credit utilization (balance vs. limit)

Length of credit history

Types of credit (credit mix)

New credit inquiries

Q: How often should I check my credit report?

At least once a week while getting your credit repaired and built. Once established, at least once a month.

Q: How long does credit repair take?

It varies. Dispute resolutions may take 30–90 days, while building your positive credit profile may take several months but can be shortened with trade-lines and primaries.

Credit Cards & Loans

Q: What is credit utilization?

It’s the percentage of your available credit that you’re using. Keeping it under 30% helps maintain a healthy score.

Q: Does closing a credit card hurt my score?

It can, since it reduces your available credit and may shorten your credit history.

Q: Why was I denied for credit?

Possible reasons: low credit score, high debt, recent late payments, or too many recent inquiries.

Q: Do collections affect my score even after they’re paid?

Yes, but paying them can help improve your report, especially if the account is updated to “paid” or removed.

Credit Rights & Protections

Q: What rights do I have under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)?

You have the right to:

A free annual credit report

Dispute inaccurate information

Have disputes investigated within 30–45 days

Request corrections to errors

Q: How long do negative marks stay on my report?

Late payments: up to 7 years

Collections: up to 7 years

Bankruptcies: 7–10 years (depending on type)

Getting started

Q: How do I get started with credit repair?

Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll review your credit report, identify inaccurate items, and create a personalized action plan to help you rebuild your credit.