Author: Philip Tirone

When I first started teaching people how to rebuild credit nearly 30 years ago, online credit repair courses didn’t exist. If you wanted a better score, you had three options: read books and figure it out yourself, learn through trial and error, or hire a company to send dispute letters on your behalf.

That’s why I created 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, a free online credit education course built from decades of reviewing credit reports, working with lenders, and coaching people who wanted access to a credit repair course. I know what it takes to get results because I’ve seen the data and the transformations firsthand. 

(Students who follow the rules in 7 Steps can see their scores increase to 720 a year or two after getting started!)

If you’re shopping for a credit repair course, here’s what really matters. The best courses give you clear, doable steps you can put into action right away. For instance, they should teach you how to spot and fix harmful errors on your credit report and build good credit around older, bad credit. 

A good course won’t promise instant results or claim it can erase legitimate negative marks, because that’s not how credit works. Instead, it will teach you the rules of credit scoring so you can start improving your score now and keep it strong in the future. Credit is a lifelong tool, so the better a credit repair course educates you and builds your understanding, the more your credit will work in your favor … now, and in the years to come.

Enroll for free in our credit-education course, 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score.

Enroll Now

Below you’ll find a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions about credit repair courses, each with a short, fact-backed answer you can trust. These are based on research from trusted sources like the CFPB, FTC, Urban Institute, New York Fed, and FINRA, along with years of hands-on experience helping 200,000+ people rebuild their credit.

Table of Contents

The Basics

1. What are credit repair courses? 
2. What should I look for in a credit repair course? 
3. What does a credit repair course teach that I cannot do myself for free? 
4. Is a credit repair course better than hiring a credit repair company? 
5. How fast can a credit repair course improve my score? 
6. What should I expect from a reputable credit repair course?
7. Are credit repair courses safe and legal?
8. How do I avoid credit repair scams when shopping for a course?
9. What is the difference between a credit repair course and credit counseling?

Timeline, Results, and Expectations

1. How long will it take me to raise my credit score to 720 if I take a credit repair course? 
2. What results should I expect in the first 90 days of a credit repair course?
3. Will taking a credit repair course help me qualify for a mortgage in 12 months?
4. Will a credit repair course help me qualify for a first apartment or lower insurance?
5. Can a credit repair course remove accurate negatives from my reports?
6. How much can good credit save me on a car or mortgage after a credit repair course?
7. What percentage of people are “credit invisible,” and how does a course help them start?
8. Is there proof that coaching or education improves credit outcomes?

Score Factors and Strategies

1. What score factors do credit repair courses focus on first?
2. What will a credit repair course tell me to do if my utilization is high?
3. Will a credit repair course tell me which accounts to open and when?
4. Will a credit repair course focus on my FICO or VantageScore? 
5. How often should I check my credit reports during a course?

Special Situations

1. Can a credit repair course help after bankruptcy?
2. Do credit repair courses work if I have late payments right now?
3. Can a credit repair course help with identity theft clean-up?
4. Do buy-now-pay-later accounts help or hurt while I am in a credit repair course?
5. Should teens or young adults take a credit repair or “credit building” course?

The Basics

FAQ : What are credit repair courses?

A credit repair course is an educational program that teaches you how to improve your credit score yourself. While many people use the term “credit repair course,” most reputable programs are actually credit education courses.

A credit education course shows you how to:

• Read and understand your credit report (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)
• Spot and dispute errors
• Build positive credit history that lenders want to see

Credit repair, by contrast, is a service regulated under the Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA). CROA applies to companies that take money to work on your credit for you, such as sending dispute letters to creditors or credit bureaus on your behalf.

Credit education courses are not regulated by CROA because they don’t perform the work for you. Instead, they give you the knowledge, tools, and step-by-step strategies so you can take control of your own credit, and keep that control long term.

For clarity, this article will use the term “credit repair course” since that’s what most people search for, but it’s important to understand that credit repair services and credit education courses are different industries with different rules.

Takeaway: A true credit repair course teaches you how to fix and build your credit yourself, while a credit repair company does it for you. The right course gives you skills that last a lifetime.

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FAQ : What should I look for in a credit repair course? 

A good credit repair course gives you a clear, step-by-step process for fixing errors on your credit report and building new positive credit so your score improves and stays strong.

Avoid any course that promises overnight results or the removal of legitimate negative marks. The best programs:

• Teach you how to repair and build credit yourself, giving you skills you can use for life.
• Offer a clear curriculum covering both disputing errors and adding positive accounts.
  Provide built-in support such as Q&A sessions, checklists, or community groups to keep you on track. 
• Show real proof of success through testimonials, before-and-after scores, or case studies. 

When you follow a legitimate, well-structured plan, it’s realistic to raise your score to 720 within 12 to 24 months after a financial setback.

Listen to this testimonial from a 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score graduate! Travis filed bankruptcy and two years later, bought a brand new home for his family with a 3.5% interest rate. Enroll in our free credit education course, 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score.

Key takeaway: Choose a course that teaches you the process, supports you along the way, and backs up its claims with real results.

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FAQ : What does a credit repair course teach that I cannot do myself for free?

A credit repair course (whether free or paid) teaches you the same information you can learn on your own, but organizes and simplifies the information so you get faster, more reliable results. It may also include accountability systems, checklists, and coaching on how to interpret responses and choose your next move. 

For instance, our free credit-education course, 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, includes monthly Q&A sessions where you can ask a credit expert your specific questions about your credit report and credit score.

Key takeaway: While you can repair your credit by doing research on your own, a quality course (free or paid) gives you structure, expert feedback, and accountability that make success more likely.

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FAQ : Is a credit repair course better than hiring a credit repair company?

A credit repair course is often the better choice because it teaches you how to repair and build your credit yourself, gives you lasting skills, keeps you in control, and is frequently free. Credit repair companies are sometimes unethical, making promises they can’t keep or disputing accurate information illegally. That said, hiring an ethical credit repair company can make sense for some people if they need quick improvements.

7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score is a free credit-education program that provides long-term results. Students who follow the rules as outlined can see their scores improve to 720 in as little as 12 to 24 months. And because the program includes a free credit report review and legal support for students who have been through a bankruptcy or identity theft, some students see their scores jump 50 to 150 points in the first three months. 

Key takeaway: If you want control, lasting results, and proven strategies without paying high fees, a credit repair course, especially one like 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, is usually the smartest choice.

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FAQ : How fast can a credit repair course improve my score?

It depends on your starting point, but most people who enroll in reputable credit repair courses and follow the instructions closely see measurable gains in 3 to 6 months. That’s because payment history and credit utilization make up 65% of your FICO® score, and both can be improved fairly quickly.

Example: Lowering your utilization from 70% to under 30% could raise your score dozens of points in a single month, according to FICO. Pair that with on-time payments and one or two new positive accounts, and you can see a 50- to 150-point jump in a matter of months. 

We’ve put 200,000+ students through our free credit-education course, 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score. When students follow the course as outlined, they see their credit scores jump to 720 in 12 to 24 months.

Enroll for free in our credit-education course, 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score.

Enroll Now

Key takeaway: With the right actions, credit scores can improve within 3 to 6 months, and following a program like 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score can put a 720 credit score within reach in as little as 12 to 24 months.

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FAQ : What should I expect from a reputable credit repair course?

A reputable credit repair course gets straight to the point, offering both education and action steps based on a thorough analysis of the rules of credit scoring. Expect a clear curriculum that includes:

• The dispute process for correcting errors on your credit report
• An explanation of high-priority errors and low-priority errors so that you focus your time on errors that matter
• Credit utilization strategies for lowering credit card balances and raising your score
• Budgeting basics so you stay out of debt while simultaneously improving your credit score
• Myth-busting of common credit misconceptions
• Guidance on when and how to open new credit accounts

Our free 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score course walks you through each of these areas step-by-step and includes monthly Q&A calls where you can get answers to your specific credit questions.

Key takeaway: The best courses simplify credit scoring rules into a clear plan of action, so you know exactly what to do and when to do it for the biggest impact.

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FAQ : Are credit repair courses safe and legal?

Yes, credit repair courses are both safe and legal, assuming you choose a reputable one that focuses on education instead of trying to game the system.. 

A legitimate course will teach you how credit scoring works and give you clear, step-by-step guidance you can follow yourself. It will never claim it can remove every negative mark from your credit report, especially if that information is accurate. Claims like that are a red flag and often signal a scam.

Be cautious of any program that skips the “why” behind its advice. Without understanding the rules of credit scoring, you could accidentally hurt your score by closing the wrong account, applying for too much new credit at once, or disputing legitimate information.

Key takeaway: Safe, legal credit repair courses educate you, set realistic expectations, and show you how to raise your score without risky or illegal moves.

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FAQ : How do I avoid credit repair scams when shopping for a course?

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FAQ : What is the difference between a credit repair course and credit counseling?

Credit counseling helps you budget and manage debt, while credit repair courses help you improve your credit score. 

Credit counseling agencies are approved and overseen by the U.S. Trustee Program (U.S. Department of Justice, 2025), which is part of the Department of Justice. Their credit counseling courses focus on budgeting and debt management, and they help people decide whether they want to file bankruptcy. These courses can be helpful if your main challenge is managing monthly expenses and negotiating with creditors. (Click below to enroll in Evergreen Financial Counseling’s credit counseling course.) 

A credit repair course, on the other hand, focuses on your credit reports and scores. It teaches you how to correct errors, add positive accounts, and strategically manage credit so your score improves. (We recommend the free credit education course 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score.) 

Key takeaway: Credit counseling helps you manage debt; a credit repair course helps you improve your credit score.

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Timeline, Results, and Expectations

FAQ : How long will it take me to raise my credit score to 720 if I take a credit repair course?

Most people who follow a reputable credit repair course can reach a 720 credit score in about 12 to 24 months, depending on their starting point and how consistently they follow the plan. Here’s what research and expert sources say:

• According to Bankrate (2025), the time it takes to rebuild your score varies based on the reasons your score is low, but on-time payments and responsible credit use typically start producing results in months, with larger improvements in a year or two.
• WalletHub (2024) notes that while some score gains (like a few points) can happen in weeks, significant improvements usually take months or even years. Reaching fair credit may take 12–18 months for many with damaged histories.
• A recent Investopedia article (June 2025) explains that the impact of negative credit items diminishes over time, and consistent positive behaviors, like on-time payments, can accelerate recovery from missed payments or worse.

At 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, we expect our students to reach a 720 credit score after following the program for 12 to 24 months. 

Key takeaway: With commitment and consistency, a well-designed credit repair course can support your journey to a 720 credit score in 12 to 24 months, while still delivering noticeable and meaningful improvements within the first few months.

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FAQ : What results should I expect in the first 90 days of a credit repair course?

The size of the increase depends on your starting point, but you can safely expect a 10- to 50-point increase within the first 90 days of starting a reputable credit repair course. That said, you might see major jumps in your credit score if you significantly reduce credit utilization and remove harmful errors.

According to FICO (2025), payment history and credit utilization together account for about 65% of your FICO® score, so improvements in these areas can have a fast impact. For example:

• Lowering utilization from over 50% to under 30% can raise your score within the next reporting cycle (FICO, 2025).
• Correcting inaccurate negatives can produce immediate score changes once the bureaus update your file.
• Adding a new positive trade line, like a secured card or credit-builder loan, can start contributing to your score after your first on-time payment.

Clients who consistently follow a structured plan often see measurable improvements in as little as three months, enough to qualify for better credit products even before hitting their long-term goal.

In 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, many students see their first significant progress update within 90 days, which builds momentum for the 12–24 month path to a 720 score.

Key takeaway: If you start with high utilization or clear report errors, you could see big score gains in the first 90 days, but results vary based on your starting point and how quickly you act.

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FAQ : Will taking a credit repair course help me qualify for a mortgage in 12 months?

Yes, following a reputable credit repair course can often help you qualify for a mortgage within 12 months, especially if you are within 60 to 100 points of the lending minimum. Typical score requirements by loan type:

• FHA loans generally require a minimum credit score of 580 to qualify for the standard 3.5% down payment program; borrowers with scores between 500 and 579 can still qualify but with a larger down payment (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2025).
• VA loans don’t have a fixed minimum, but lenders commonly look for at least 620 as a guideline (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2025).
• USDA loans typically require a minimum credit score of 640 for streamlined processing, although some lenders may approve lower scores with additional documentation (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2025).
• Conventional loans typically require a minimum score of 620, with the best interest rates available at 720+. 

Students who follow the 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score generally reach a 720 credit score in 12 to 24 months. 

Enroll for free in our credit-education course, 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score.

Enroll Now

Key takeaway: If you’re not far from the score threshold, a structured credit repair course can realistically help you become mortgage-ready within a year.

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FAQ : Will a credit repair course help me qualify for a first apartment or lower insurance?

Yes, improving your credit through a reputable credit repair course can make it easier to qualify for a rental and may help lower your insurance premiums. Many landlords check your credit score when deciding whether to rent to you, and insurers in most states use credit-based insurance scores to set premiums. Raising your score can expand your housing options and reduce long-term costs.

Landlords often check credit reports during rental screening to assess payment history and debt management. While there’s no universal minimum score, many property managers prefer applicants with scores of 620 or higher. In a RentRedi-Bigger Pockets survey of landlords, nearly 80% of landlords report verifying credit scores as part of their tenant screening process, making credit health a key factor in rental approval. 

In many states, insurers use credit-based insurance scores to set auto and homeowners insurance rates. The Urban Institute reports that better credit is often linked to lower premiums, meaning an improved score can directly save you money. One student found that drivers with very poor credit pay approximately $4,581 more annually than those with exceptional credit, an increase of over 270% (The Zebra, 2025). 

Key takeaway: A higher credit score can improve your chances of getting approved for an apartment and may reduce your insurance costs.

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FAQ : Can a credit repair course remove accurate negatives from my reports?

Some companies may claim they can remove accurate negative items from your credit report, but ethical, reputable credit repair courses will never tell you they can remove accurate negative information. No one can legally erase accurate, timely negative information from your credit report (Federal Trade Commission, 2025). 

If an organization urges you to dispute items you know are accurate, this is a red flag that you are not working with an ethical company. In fact, credit bureaus are only required to remove negative information that is inaccurate or has aged beyond its reporting limit (usually 7 years, or 10 years for bankruptcies). 

Creditors and collections agencies must verify negative information when challenged, but accurate entries must stay until the legal time limit is reached (15 U.S. Code § 1679c).

A reputable credit repair course like 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score will instead teach you to:

• Correct genuine inaccuracies,
• Build new, positive credit history that makes old negatives less relevant,
• Understand your rights under federal law,
• And dispute errors. 

Key takeaway: Honest courses don’t make impossible promises. They emphasize fixing errors, building good history, and using the law to your advantage.

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FAQ : How much can good credit save me on a car or mortgage after a credit repair course?

Better credit can save you thousands to tens of thousands of dollars in interest on major loans.

nterest rate differences derived from 2025 national averages by credit tier (Experian Automotive, 2025; Freddie Mac, 2025).

Key takeaway: Raising your credit score with a reputable course can translate into significant interest savings on both mortgages and auto loans.

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FAQ : What percentage of people are “credit invisible,” and how does a course help them start?

According to 2025 data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, only 2.7% of U.S. adults (approximately 7 million people) are truly “credit invisible,” meaning they have no credit history with the major credit bureaus.  

While being a cash-only citizen might sound responsible, it’s a serious problem. Without a credit history, lenders have no way to measure your reliability, so they assume the worst. That means you’ll often face higher interest rates, bigger deposits for utilities or rentals, and limited access to credit in the first place.

Some people avoid credit entirely to sidestep debt, but that can backfire. A reputable credit repair (or credit education) course can teach you how to build credit without going into debt by using secured cards, credit-builder loans, or on-time reporting of bills you’re already paying. This approach gives you the benefits of a strong credit profile while keeping your financial life debt-free.

Key takeaway: Being credit invisible doesn’t protect you; it costs you money. Building credit without going into debt is the safer, smarter option.

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FAQ : Is there proof that coaching or education improves credit outcomes?

Yes, multiple rigorous studies show that financial coaching and education can lead to meaningful improvements in credit scores and behaviors.

• A randomized controlled study from the American Economic Association found that participants who received financial coaching experienced an average 44-point increase in credit scores, raised the likelihood of being rated “good” by 10 percentage points, and improved access to credit and car loan rates.
• A review by the Center for Financial Security found coaching clients gained an average of 21 credit score points, alongside reduced debt and improved financial behaviors.
• Students in 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score increase their scores to 720 within 12 to 24 months when they follow the steps as outlined.

Key takeaway: Evidence from randomized trials and program evaluations demonstrates that financial coaching and education are powerful tools for improving credit outcomes.

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Score Factors and Strategies

FAQ : What score factors do credit repair courses focus on first?

A credit repair course should focus on what will have the fastest impact: removing errors, lowering utilization, ensuring on-time payments, and building a solid credit history with strategic new accounts.

Here are the five key factors that shape your credit score, according to FICO:

The free online credit-education course 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score focuses on: 

• Removing errors, which improves your payment history instantly (35% of your score)
• Paying your bills on time consistently, which also improves payment history
• Lowering your utilization on credit cards directly impacts the amounts owed factor (30% of your score)
• Opening accounts strategically, which eventually enhances length of history (15%) and credit mix (10%).
• Consolidating new inquiries (10%) so that accounts can start aging immediately. 

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FAQ : What will a credit repair course tell me to do if my utilization is high?

If your credit utilization is high, a credit repair course will teach you how to lower your credit card balances below 30%, and if you can, 10%. That’s where you’ll start to see the biggest jumps in your score. 

There are a few ways to accomplish this:

• Pay down balances as much as you can. A credit repair course will teach you various strategies, such as paying off the higher-interest credit cards first, or starting with those with the smallest balance. 
• Call your card issuers and ask for a credit limit increase.
• Move balances to other cards, or even consider a short-term personal loan from a friend, family member, or bank. This strategy might be a good one to employ if you are in immediate need of a higher credit score. 

Key takeaway: High utilization drags your score down more than almost anything else—tackle it first and watch what happens.

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FAQ : Will a credit repair course tell me which accounts to open and when?

Yes, a good course will guide you through which types of new accounts to open and when, using best practices for building your credit score quickly. This might include a mixture of secured credit cards, authorized user accounts, and credit rebuilder accounts. 

The 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score provides a list of credit cards likely to approve borrowers with fair to poor credit scores, as well as lessons about opening authorized user accounts and credit rebuilder accounts. 

Unlike some courses that suggest spacing out new credit applications, 7 Steps recommends opening all the accounts you need right away. Here’s why: 15% of your credit score comes from the average age of your accounts. Every time you open a new account, that average age drops. If you spread out applications over months or years, you’ll keep resetting the clock and hurting your score each time.

By opening all accounts at once, your score will take an initial dip, but then those accounts will start aging together. Over time, your average account age will grow steadily, which benefits your score in the long run.

Enroll for free in our credit-education course, 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score.

Enroll Now

Key takeaway: The right course will teach you about what types of accounts will best help your credit score. It will also guide you on the best timing for opening these accounts.

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FAQ : Will a credit repair course focus on my FICO or VantageScore?

A credit repair course should focus on your FICO score, because about 90% of top lenders use FICO when evaluating applications (FICO, 2025). This is the score mortgage lenders, auto lenders, and most credit card issuers rely on to make approval and rate decisions.

Here’s where it gets confusing: the score you see when you check it yourself is often not the same one a lender will use. Services like Credit Karma, Chase Credit Score, Credit Sesame, and Credit Hero Score show you a VantageScore 3.0, which is designed for consumers, not lenders. These scores can be useful for tracking your progress, but they can be dozens of points higher or lower than the FICO version a lender pulls.

That doesn’t mean VantageScore is irrelevant. Its newer 4.0 model incorporates alternative data such as rent and utility payments, which could help an estimated 5 million more borrowers qualify for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages. However, until lenders adopt it more widely, improving your FICO score will give you the biggest advantage.

Key takeaway: A good credit repair course will train you to boost your FICO score first, while using a consumer score like Credit Hero to monitor progress. This ensures you’re improving the same score lenders use to decide approvals and interest rates.

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FAQ : How often should I check my credit reports during a course?

Check your credit reports monthly during active dispute or repair phases, then shift to quarterly checks once stabilized. This aligns with CFPB guidance to review your credit report at least annually and more often when important financial actions are underway (The Week, 2025; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2025).

Key takeaway: Check monthly during action phases, then quarterly, then at least once a year to stay on top of your report.

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Special Situations

FAQ : Can a credit repair course help after bankruptcy?

Yes, a credit repair course can be one of the fastest ways to rebuild your credit after bankruptcy because it gives you a structured plan for taking advantage of the fresh start bankruptcy provides. 

It’s often easier to repair credit after bankruptcy than while you’re still in debt. This is because you have the breathing room to pay bills on time, avoid new delinquencies, and follow proven strategies for raising your score. 

A good credit repair course will show you exactly how to:

• Establish new positive payment history right away (the single biggest factor in your score).
• Open the right types of accounts to create a healthy credit mix without falling back into unmanageable debt.
• Use credit strategically so you get maximum score gains in the first 12–24 months.

By following a credit-education program for people who have been through a bankruptcy, your score can increase to 720 a year or two after a bankruptcy, making it entirely possible to qualify for a mortgage, car loan, or competitive credit card much sooner than you might expect.

Key takeaway: Bankruptcy resets your financial future and makes it possible to rebuild your credit score much sooner than if you continue to stay in debt and struggle to pay your bills.

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FAQ : Do credit repair courses work if I have late payments right now?

Yes, but the results will be slower if you’re still missing payments. A credit repair course can help you dispute errors, lower your utilization rate, and open new accounts strategically, but your score will continue to drop as long as late payments keep hitting your report. 

Payment history makes up about 35% of your FICO score, so the most important step is to stop the damage by paying at least the minimums on time going forward. Once you stop making late payments, you will be able to improve your score much faster. 

Key takeaway: Consistent on-time payments are the foundation for meaningful score improvement, so credit repair courses work best when you’ve stopped making late payments.

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FAQ : Can a credit repair course help with identity theft clean-up?

Yes, a good credit repair course can walk you through the process of removing fraudulent accounts and restoring your credit history after identity theft. Many courses walk you step-by-step through removing fraudulent accounts and restoring your credit history. This often includes placing fraud alerts or credit freezes, filing disputes with the credit bureaus, and working directly with creditors to remove accounts that aren’t yours.

Once the fraudulent information is deleted, the best courses also guide you in rebuilding positive credit by opening new accounts strategically, keeping utilization low, and paying on time to restore your score.

The free credit-education course 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score even offers free legal representation to people recovering from identity theft and struggling to get their credit report corrected.

Key takeaway: A structured credit repair course gives you a clear recovery plan from stopping further fraud to cleaning up your report and rebuilding strong credit for the future.

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FAQ : Do buy-now-pay-later accounts help or hurt while I am in a credit repair course?

Buy-now-pay-later options like Klarna, Affirm, or Afterpay can hurt your credit repair efforts more than help, depending on how they are managed. On-time buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) loans typically don’t help your credit score as of August 2025 because most BNPL plans aren’t reported to the credit bureaus. That means you miss out on building positive credit history. 

But missed BNPL payments can damage your credit. Many providers report late payments or send delinquent accounts to collections, which appear on your credit report and drop your score. 

All that said, FICO is expected to launch a new model that includes BNPL data. That means responsible users who pay on time may see benefits, while missed payments will carry real consequences.

Key takeaway: For now, BNPL won’t help you rebuild credit, but according to upcoming score changes, responsible use could help (or hurt if payments are missed).

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FAQ : Should teens or young adults take a credit repair or “credit building” course?

Yes, teens and young adults should take a credit repair course because starting early gives them a serious head start. The lack of credit education in colleges and high schools leaves many young people unprepared for financial reality. A credit-building course can fill this gap and teach them how credit works, how to open accounts responsibly, and how to avoid costly mistakes like high utilization or missed payments. Building positive credit in the late teens or early twenties can make it easier to qualify for apartments, auto loans, and low-interest credit cards later on.

Without guidance, many young people fall prey to predatory marketing. While the Credit CARD Act of 2009 banned on-campus giveaways in exchange for signing up, students are still targeted off-campus or through online ads with offers that often carry high interest rates. 

Beyond that, having a poor or nonexistent credit score can block life opportunities.  For instance, without a credit history, young adults may struggle to rent on their own because landlords often check tenant credit. One survey found that close to 90% of landlords check credit scores when screening applications, and many require a score of 600–620 to rent (Urban Institute, 2022; TenantCloud, 2024). 

A good credit-building course (like 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score) teaches young adults how to: 

• Open accounts responsibly and keep utilization low
• Make on-time payments every month (because payment history accounts for 35%-40% of FICO)
• Spot and avoid predatory offers
• Build a credit mix gradually and wisely
• Understand how credit affects housing, loans, and financial independence

Key takeaway: Schools won’t teach your kids how credit works, and lenders are counting on that. A credit-building course can protect and empower teens and young adults, helping them avoid traps and enter adulthood financially confident.

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Enroll for free in our credit-education course, 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score.

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About the Author

Philip Tirone started his career as a mortgage broker more than 30 years ago and quickly realized something troubling: his clients were intentionally kept in the dark about how credit scores really work. Poor credit forces people to pay thousands more in interest, straining their budgets and making it even harder to stay current on future payments. That cycle of financial stress can last for years, even decades, while banks profit from late fees and high interest rates.

This realization shaped his mission: to pull back the curtain on credit scoring, teach people how to take control, and give them the tools to build lasting financial freedom. He authored 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score first as a book, later turning it into a free online credit-eduction course, which has now graduated more than 200,000 students

If you’re searching for free credit repair courses and tools, here’s the bottom line: You can repair your credit for free, but most services advertising “free credit repair” are either incomplete, misleading, or come with strings attached. The most effective credit repair often comes from understanding how credit works, fixing legitimate errors on your report, and rebuilding positive credit over time. In this article, I’ll break down what to watch for, how to fix your credit the right way, and where to get real support without getting scammed.

I’ve spent over two decades helping people recover from financial setbacks. As the creator of 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, I’ve worked with thousands of people after bankruptcy, collections, and credit disasters … and I’ve seen firsthand what works and what wastes your time.

What is free credit repair, really?

When people talk about “free credit repair,” they usually mean one of two things:

1. Disputing inaccurate items on your credit report at no cost
2. Using free tools or credit repair courses to learn how credit works and how to rebuild your score

That sounds simple enough. But here’s the catch: A lot of companies use “free credit repair” as a sales hook. They offer a free consultation or a few automated disputes, then pressure you into paying for subscriptions, loans, or shady services. The real value comes when you understand your credit and take action on your own or with the help of a nonprofit.

How can I repair my credit for free?

Here are the steps to take if you want to start repairing your credit without paying anyone:

1. Get educated. Look for a credit education program that shows you how to navigate credit reports, use new accounts strategically, and avoid common mistakes. One popular option is 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, a nonprofit-backed course designed for people rebuilding after financial setbacks.
   

    Enrollment in this credit-education course is free, and if you’ve been through a bankruptcy or identity theft, you’ll also get free support from an attorney. I created this program specifically for people who’ve been through tough financial situations like bankruptcy. I designed it to be simple, practical, and based on how credit scoring really works.

2. Pull your credit reports. Go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com and request your reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Check for late payments, collections, duplicate accounts, or unfamiliar debts
3. Dispute real errors. If you find something incorrect, file a dispute with the credit bureau reporting it. The bureau must investigate within 30 days. If they can’t verify it, the item must be removed.If you’ve been through a bankruptcy or identity theft, you can get free legal support by joining 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score.
4. Lower your credit utilization. Pay down credit card balances so you’re using less than 30% of your available credit. Under 10% is even better.
5. Make every payment on time. Payment history is the biggest factor in your credit score. Set up autopay or reminders to avoid late payments
6. Add positive credit. If you don’t have at least three credit cards and one installment account in good standing, consider:
   • Opening secured credit cards (you can find a list of credit cards for people with poor to fair credit here)
   • Adding yourself as an authorized user account
   • Joining a credit rebuilder program

Watch & Learn: The Credit Rebuilder Program

The Credit Rebuilder Program is not a free credit repair service, but it does offer a low-cost option to those who want to improve their credit quickly.

What should I watch out for in “free” credit repair courses, offers, and tools?

Be skeptical of any service that:

• Promises to remove accurate negative items
• Pushes loans or debt settlement programs
• Uses vague language about how they fix your credit

Warning: Some companies file mass disputes on everything negative in your report, hoping something sticks. This can backfire. If credit bureaus see a pattern of frivolous disputes, they can flag your report. That makes future disputes harder, even if they’re valid.

I’ve reviewed hundreds of credit repair companies over the years. Some play by the rules, but many don’t. If you’re not sure who to trust, start with a credit education program that can walk you through the legal process in plain English and connect you with legal help if your rights are being violated.

Check out the FAQs below to see if free credit repair is right for your situation.

Philip Tirone is the founder of 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score and the former chairman of the Board of Directors of Evergreen Financial Counseling, a nonprofit approved by the Department of Justice to provide bankruptcy credit counseling courses. He has spent three decades helping people rebuild their credit scores after a bankruptcy.

Table of Contents

Understanding Free Credit Repair

1. Is free credit repair really free? 
2. What can I realistically expect from free credit repair?
3. How do I know if a free credit repair service is legitimate?
4. What’s the difference between free credit repair and paid credit repair?
5. What’s the catch with “free” credit repair ads I see online?
6. Is there a government program for free credit repair?
7. What free credit repair resources actually work?

DIY Credit Repair Tools and Steps

1. Can I fix my credit myself without paying anyone?
2. What’s the best first step in repairing my credit for free?
3. How long does it take to repair credit using free tools?
4. What’s the best free credit report tool?
5. How do I fix errors on my credit report without paying?
6. Can I fix my credit if I’m unemployed?

Disputes, Collections, and Errors

1. What’s the role of credit disputes in free credit repair?
2. Can free credit repair remove collections?
3. What is a letter of deletion? 
4. Do disputes really work for medical debt?
5. Can I remove a late payment for free?

Special Situations and Legal Help

1. Do I need a lawyer to repair my credit?
2. What if I’m dealing with identity theft? Can free tools help?
3. Are nonprofit credit counselors helpful for credit repair?
4. What if I have no credit? Can free credit repair still help?
5. Is there a way to rebuild credit after a divorce using free tools?
6. Can free credit repair help me qualify for a mortgage?
7. Can I repair credit after bankruptcy using free tools?

Credit Myths and Technical Concepts

1. What are the biggest myths about credit repair?
2. What is a soft pull vs. a hard pull, and why does it matter for credit repair?
3. How can I get a 720 credit score in 30 days fast?
4. Are credit repair companies ever worth paying for?
5. What are some real success stories from people who used free credit repair resources?

Resources: 

• Enroll in 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, a free credit-education course is free
• You can find a list of credit cards for people with poor to fair credit here.
• Join a credit rebuilder program.

Understanding Free Credit Repair

FAQ: Is free credit repair really free?

Sometimes, but most of the time, a company that offers credit repair for free is baiting you. That said, there are free credit-education options, and these often work just as well (if not better) than credit repair. It helps to understand the difference.’

• Credit repair usually refers to services that file disputes with credit bureaus to try and remove negative items from your report. Some of these services are legitimate, especially when they help correct real mistakes. (And real mistakes happen often: About 34% of consumers have found at least one error on their credit reports, according to a study by the Federal Trade Commission.)
  That said, a lot of companies take advantage of the term “credit repair.” They might charge upfront fees or sign you up for monthly subscriptions, and many rely on aggressive or questionable tactics. Even the ones that advertise free services often circle back with hidden charges, upsells, or pressure to join a debt settlement program.
• Credit education, on the other hand, teaches you how credit works, how to manage it, and how to rebuild it in ways that reflect well over time, like lowering your utilization, opening the right accounts, and making consistent payments. Free courses do exist, including 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, offered by Evergreen Financial Counseling.You can enroll for free here. 

Here’s a breakdown of credit repair vs. credit education

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FAQ: What can I realistically expect from free credit repair?

Assuming the credit repair organization is ethical, you can expect steady, meaningful progress that will vary based on where your credit score starts. If the organization is unethical, you can expect a temporary score increase followed by a drop, and you may even lose the ability to get real errors investigated in the future.

Here’s what should happen:

1. An ethical credit repair service will look at your credit reports, identify actual mistakes, and help you dispute them under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). That law gives you the right to an accurate credit report, and it requires credit bureaus to investigate any item you challenge within 30 days.
2. The organization should follow up with the credit bureaus after that 30-day window. If the bureau can’t verify the information, the error must be removed.
3. If the credit bureau fails to remove an unverified or clearly incorrect item, the credit repair organization can take further action. In many cases, they can sue the credit bureau or introduce you to an attorney who will represent you. If you think your rights have been violated, join 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score for free. We will introduce you to a law firm that will represent you free of charge in FCRA disputes. 

On the other hand, a shady credit repair organization will dispute everything negative on your report, accurate or not.

At first, this type of credit repair might seem like it’s working. Your score could go up when those accounts temporarily disappear during the investigation period. But once the credit bureaus verify that the information is accurate, the disputed items will come right back, and your score will return to where it started. 

Even worse, if the credit bureaus notice a pattern of frivolous or dishonest disputes, they can flag your report, which means future disputes, even the valid ones, might not be investigated unless you provide extra documentation. In some cases, they may refuse to review the dispute altogether.

A woman I worked with saw her score jump 80 points after a company removed several negative but accurate items. A month later, those derogatory marks came back, her score dropped again, and her file was flagged for frivolous disputes. That flag made it harder for her to get real mistakes corrected later on. We enrolled her in our free credit-education course, which walked her through the steps to rebuild her credit the right way, without shady tactics or shortcuts. Her score eventually rebounded, but it took much longer than it should have.

In other words, don’t try to game the system. Use a legitimate credit repair organization, or, better yet, enroll in 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, a free credit education course. If you have been through a bankruptcy or have experienced identity theft, this credit-education course includes a free review of your credit report.

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FAQ: How do I know if a free credit repair service is legitimate?

Start by checking how they talk about results. A legitimate credit repair service will never promise to erase accurate negative information. They’ll be upfront about what’s possible, explain how disputes work under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and walk you through your rights.

You’ll also want to check their reviews, but dig a little deeper than star ratings. Look for detailed reviews that mention specific outcomes, timelines, or support experiences. Be cautious if every review sounds the same, was posted within a short window of time, or is overly vague (e.g., “This company is amazing!” with no context). You can also check for complaints through the Better Business Bureau or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s public database.

There are a lot of companies out there claiming to offer credit repair, but not all of them play by the rules. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns consumers to steer clear of services that:

• Charge upfront before doing any work
• Pressure you to sign up immediately
• Guarantee they can remove all negative marks
• Fail to explain your rights

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has received over 100,000 complaints related to credit repair services. In one multi-state investigation, the FTC shut down a credit repair operation that illegally collected over $213 million from consumers using false promises.

If you’re looking for a safer, longer-lasting option, credit education is often a better route. 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score is a free credit-education program that teaches you how credit really works and how to rebuild it legally and effectively. It’s helped hundreds of thousands of people raise their scores after bankruptcy, collections, or repossessions, without shady tactics or fees.

Comparison: Shady vs. Ethical vs. Credit Education

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FAQ: What’s the difference between free credit repair and paid credit repair?

Free credit repair focuses on education and long-term solutions. It teaches people how to read their credit reports, fix real errors, and build strong credit habits. Paid credit repair usually means a company files disputes on your behalf, often without teaching you anything about how credit works.

Free credit repair is typically offered by nonprofits or law firms, especially to people recovering from bankruptcy or identity theft. For example, Evergreen Financial Counseling’s program, 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, helps people rebuild their credit from the ground up and includes access to a law firm that assists with removing valid errors from credit reports at no cost. These programs are designed to give people the tools they need to manage their credit confidently over the long term.

Paid credit repair services, on the other hand, often charge monthly fees—usually between $50 and $130—to send disputes to credit bureaus. While some companies follow the law and help challenge actual mistakes, many take a one-size-fits-all approach and dispute every negative item, even if it’s accurate. That kind of strategy can backfire by triggering fraud flags with the credit bureaus, making it harder to correct real problems later on.

Another downside of paid repair services is that they rarely explain the “why” behind your score. They might help remove a few items, but if you don’t know how credit scoring works, you’re more likely to fall into the same patterns that hurt your score in the first place. Without education, people often pay for results that don’t last.

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FAQ: What’s the catch with “free” credit repair ads I see online?

When you see ads offering “free” credit repair, there’s often something going on behind the scenes. Some companies might give you a couple of free dispute letters or a basic credit report review, but that’s really a way to get your contact information. From there, you might get upsold into a monthly subscription, pushed toward pricey add-on services, or passed along to a partner company that wants to sell you something else.

Here’s what to watch out for:

1. It may be a lead-generation trap. Many of these ads exist to collect your data. The company running the ad might not even be the one offering the service. Instead, they sell your name, phone number, and email to credit repair companies, lenders, or debt settlement firms.
2. You may get hit with upsells. A student of ours once responded to a “free credit repair” ad and got a phone call the next day. The rep told him they could remove all his negative items for $129 a month. It sounded like a magic fix, so he signed up. Six months later, his score hadn’t changed, and every time he called to ask why, he was told that he needed to be patient. Turns out they were sending generic dispute letters and not really doing much else.
   He enrolled in the Credit Rebuilder Program, and took advantage of free access to 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score. Once he understood how credit really works, and what actions make a difference, things started to turn around. He hit a 720 credit score 11 months later.
3. Read the fine print. Some companies advertise free services but hide important details in the terms and conditions, like cancellation fees, automatic renewals, or limits on what the free version actually includes.

If you’re serious about rebuilding your credit, start with a trusted nonprofit or a proven educational program. Make sure you know exactly what you’re signing up for, and don’t give out your personal information unless you trust the source.

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FAQ: Is there a government program for free credit repair?

No, the government does not offer a dedicated program for credit repair, but the government does require that you be given a free copy of all three of your credit reports annually through www.annualcreditreport.com. From there, you can enroll in free credit-improvement courses offered by non-profits, such as Evergreen Financial Counseling’s 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score. 

Evergreen is approved by the Department of Justice to issue credit counseling certificates and offers the credit-improvement program for free. 

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FAQ: What free credit repair resources actually work?

The best ones give you a process and explain the logic behind credit scoring so that you can apply these principles any time your credit needs a boost. If you want to see real progress, you need a step-by-step plan that shows you where to start, what to fix, and how to build new positive history that lasts.

7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score is one of the most effective free credit-improvement options. The program explains how credit works in plain English. It shows you how to read your credit report, spot real errors, open the right accounts, and understand what lenders and credit bureaus are looking for. You also learn how to keep your credit strong over time, not just temporarily.

Yes, credit repair can hurt your credit score. Some credit repair companies dispute every negative item on your report, even the ones that are accurate. This might get a few things temporarily removed, but once the credit bureaus verify the information, those items usually come right back, plus, your credit report will be flagged, making it even harder for you to remove legitimate errors. 

We’ve seen people pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for this kind of service, only to end up in the same (or worse) position.

Even do-it-yourself credit repair can cause problems if you don’t understand how the system works. For example, paying an old collection might reset the clock on that debt, keeping it on your credit report longer than if you’d left it alone.

Now let’s talk about credit rebuilder programs. These aren’t technically credit repair, but they can help raise your score when payments are made on time. The catch? With many of these programs, missed payments get reported to the credit bureaus, which can actually hurt your score.

The Credit Rebuilder Program offered through Evergreen Financial Counseling, a nonprofit, is different. Only positive payments are added to your credit report, so it will not hurt your score. It’s one of the only paid credit-building tools out there that offers real progress without the risk.

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FAQ: Can I fix my credit myself without paying anyone?

Yes, you can. Fixing your credit on your own is often simpler than people think. In fact, learning how to fix your credit is an important part of your education because credit isn’t a one-time thing. Your credit score will impact your life for years to come, whether you’re buying a car, applying for a loan, renting an apartment, or even getting a job. 

Here’s an overview of how to fix your credit score. For a deeper understanding, be sure to enroll in our free credit-education course, 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score:

• Dispute errors on your credit report.
  Pull your credit reports for free from www.annualcreditreport.com. Then, check each report (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian) for anything that doesn’t look right, such as accounts you don’t recognize, incorrect balances, or payments marked late that were actually on time.
  If you find errors, file a dispute with the credit bureau that’s reporting the mistake. You can usually do this online. The bureau has 30 days to investigate. If the error isn’t corrected after the 30-day window, you can file a lawsuit under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which is a federal law that protects your right to an accurate credit report. If you have been through a bankruptcy or are a victim of identity theft, be sure to enroll in 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, our free credit-education course. We will introduce you to an attorney who can represent you at no cost.
• Lower your credit utilization
  Pay down credit card balances so you’re using less of your available credit. Try to keep your balances on each credit card below 30% of your limit, or even better, under 10%.
• Make every payment on time
  Payment history is the biggest factor in your credit score. Set up autopay or reminders so you never miss a due date.
• Add positive credit
  If you don’t have many accounts, or if you have been through a bankruptcy, consider opening a new credit card (you should have three credit cards that are in good standing that are reporting to the credit bureaus) or enrolling in the Credit Rebuilder Program, which reports on-time payments to all three bureaus.

If you want a program that walks you through all of this with simple explanations, checklists, and videos, 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score is a free course that’s helped hundreds of thousands of people raise their scores. This is just a brief overview, but the course breaks it all down into manageable steps and gives you a plan you can actually stick to.

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FAQ: What’s the best first step in repairing my credit for free?

The first step in repairing your credit is to pull your credit reports. You can get them for free at AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the government-approved site. Make sure you get all three: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

Once you have them, sit down and go through each report carefully. Look for things that don’t seem right. That could be an account you don’t recognize, a payment marked late that you know was on time, or a balance that looks way off. According to the Federal Trade Commission, about one in three people find at least one error on their credit reports. 

If you find a mistake, you can file a dispute directly with the credit bureau that’s reporting the error. They’re legally required to investigate within 30 days. If they can’t verify the information, it has to come off your report.

If you’re not sure what to look for or how to handle the next steps, the 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score program can walk you through it. The credit-education course is free and built for people who want to take control of their credit, especially after a major financial meltdown like bankruptcy.

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FAQ: How long does it take to repair credit using free tools?

If you follow the right steps, most people see meaningful improvement in 12 to 24 months, and sometimes even faster. Many people assume that it takes seven years to recover from bad credit, but that number refers to how long negative information stays on your credit report and not how long it takes to improve your score. The credit bureaus pay much more attention to recent behavior, so even if you have older late payments or collections, you can still see a significant increase if you start managing your credit differently today.

People who follow the 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score program as outlined raise their scores by an average of 70 to 100 points within the first year, based on internal survey data. Some see improvement in just a few months. Some see significant improvements in the first few months, especially if they improve their payment history and lower their credit utilization, which are the two biggest factors in your score, according to FICO.

7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score walks you through the process step by step, for free. It teaches you how to fix mistakes, rebuild positive credit history, and avoid the traps that keep people stuck. You can enroll for free here.

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FAQ: What’s the best free credit report tool?

If you want to take control of your credit, there are three tools that work especially well together: 1) 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score gives you a step-by-step plan to raise your score; 2) AnnualCreditReport.com shows you everything lenders see so you can catch and correct errors; and 3) free credit score tools like Credit Karma and Credit Sesame help you track your progress week to week.

Each one serves a different purpose, and when used together, they can give you a full picture of your credit health, plus a plan to make it stronger.

1. AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site where you can access your full credit reports from all three bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax at no cost. This is where you go if you want to review your entire credit report for errors, late payments, collections, or anything that might be hurting your score.
2. Free credit score tools like Credit Karma or Credit Sesame let you check your scores regularly without hurting them. They’re helpful for tracking your progress and catching any big changes between full report checks, but be sure to read more about the different types of credit scores (such as Credit Karma, Credit Sesame, and Credit Hero) so you understand the limitations.
3. 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score is an education-based credit-improvement program designed to walk you through the credit rebuilding process. It teaches you how to understand and use your credit reports and scores to your advantage. Unlike the first two tools, which show you your credit, this one helps you improve it, step by step.

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FAQ: How do I fix errors on my credit report without paying?

Join 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, which will give you step-by-step instructions for fixing errors on your credit report. If you’ve been through a bankruptcy or identity theft, you’ll also receive a free review of your credit report and legal support in getting errors removed.

What should I avoid when trying to fix my credit for free?

Let’s talk about the last one, because it trips up a lot of people: a common mistake is spacing out your new credit card applications.

You need three credit cards in good standing that are reporting to the credit bureaus at all times. If you don’t have three, start by fixing any that are in bad standing. If that’s not possible, open new ones, and open them all at the same time.

Why? Because credit-scoring bureaus care about the average age of your accounts. Older is better. If you open one card now, another in six months, and another next year, your average age keeps getting pulled down. But if you open all three at once, your average age takes a single hit, and then starts aging up again right away.

Your score may dip a little at first due to all the new credit accounts, but opening the cards together sets you up for long-term success.

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FAQ: Can I fix my credit if I’m unemployed?

Yes, you can fix your credit if you are unemployed. But there’s a catch: You’ve got to be able to stay current on any existing bills, keep your balances low, and clean up any errors on your credit report. 

Rebuilding your credit while unemployed is possible, but it can be tough. If you’re already behind on bills or dealing with high-interest debt, credit rebuilding might feel like trying to build a house on quicksand. Every month you’re late or maxed out, your score takes another hit. 

That’s why, for many people, the first step to rebuilding credit isn’t opening a new account or paying down balances: It’s getting out of debt. When you eliminate the burden of unmanageable debt, it frees up your income, gives you a fresh start, and puts you in a position to use credit the way the bureaus reward: wisely and consistently.

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FAQ: What’s the role of credit disputes in free credit repair?

Credit disputes are a legal right under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which gives you the power to challenge any information on your credit report that’s inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable. And that matters because payment history makes up the biggest part of your credit score. Even a single mistake in your record, like a payment marked late when it wasn’t, can drag down your score significantly.

A 2021 study from Consumer Reports found that more than a third of people have at least one mistake on their credit report. And from what we’ve seen, that number is even higher for people who’ve been through a bankruptcy. In fact, about 40% of our clients in that situation had an error that was actively hurting their score.

Most of those mistakes had to do with payment history, which happens to be the most important part of your credit score. So if you’re trying to rebuild, one of the smartest things you can do is check your credit report and make sure everything on it is actually right. If it’s not, disputing it could give your score a serious boost.

A successful dispute can raise your score fast. For instance, we worked with a client who had a 120-day late payment reported on a loan. The payment had actually been made on time, but it was misapplied by the loan servicer. After gathering her payment receipts and filing a dispute with the credit bureaus, the error was removed, and her score jumped by nearly 30 points in just one month.

If you’ve filed bankruptcy or been the victim of identity theft, our free credit-education program includes a free credit report review through a law firm that will handle those disputes for you. For everyone else, we walk you through how to do it yourself, legally and strategically, without falling into common traps.

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FAQ: Can free credit repair remove collections?

Sometimes, but not the way most companies do it. Many credit repair services send out blanket disputes, which can backfire and hurt your chances of removing real errors later. A better approach is to verify the debt first, then try to negotiate a letter of deletion in exchange for payment. This works best if the collection is recent and the creditor agrees to remove it from your report. If the debt is old, paying it might actually hurt your score or restart the statute of limitations, so proceed carefully.

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FAQ: What is a letter of deletion? 

A letter of deletion is a written agreement from a creditor or collection agency stating that they will remove a specific account from your credit report. It’s different from a paid-in-full or settlement letter, which confirm payment but don’t remove the item from your credit report.  A letter of deletion actually erases the account, which can boost your score if the item was hurting it. Not all creditors will agree to this, but it’s always worth asking for a letter of deletion before you pay off a collection account.

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FAQ: Do disputes really work for medical debt?

Yes, medical debt disputes can work, especially if the debt was sent to collections by mistake or if the billing was inaccurate. But they can also be tricky because healthcare providers often outsource to third-party collectors, and the paper trail gets messy fast. That’s why it’s so important to verify or validate the debt before jumping into a dispute.

Verification and validation are your first line of defense. When a debt collector contacts you, you have the right under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) to request proof that the debt is legitimate, that they have the right to collect it, and that the amount is accurate.

• Validation usually refers to your request for documentation within 30 days of being contacted by a debt collector. They must provide evidence—like a billing statement or contract—that backs up the claim.
• Verification is a broader term that covers confirming the details of the debt at any point, especially if something looks off or unfamiliar.

Medical bills are notorious for errors: duplicate charges, services you never received, or insurance payments that didn’t get applied. If you dispute a medical collection without first validating it, you risk wasting time or even having the dispute denied. But when you start by asking for validation, you put the burden on the collector to prove the debt is real and accurate.

One last tip: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently announced that paid medical collections and any medical debt under $500 should no longer appear on your credit report. Still, outdated or incorrect debts might slip through. Disputes are one of the best tools you have to challenge them, especially when paired with documentation and follow-up.

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FAQ: Can I remove a late payment for free?

Yes, it’s possible to remove a late payment from your credit report for free, especially if the late payment was a one-time mistake. The most effective tool is something called a goodwill letter. It’s a short message you send to the lender asking them to remove the late mark as a gesture of goodwill, often because you’ve otherwise had a good history with them.

Here’s a quick example of a goodwill request:

Dear [Creditor],
I’ve been a customer for [X years], and I truly value the relationship. I recently had a late payment on [Date], which was due to [lost job, medical issue, etc.].

Now that things are back on track, I’m writing to ask if you would consider removing the late payment from my credit report. I’ve been current since and plan to continue that trend.

Thank you for your time and understanding.

How likely is this to work?

• Sometimes it works on the first try
• Sometimes it takes two or three letters
• Sometimes they say no, but it’s still worth asking

Another option? Set up automatic payments to avoid this problem going forward.

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FAQ: Do I need a lawyer to repair my credit?

No, most people can repair their credit without a lawyer, provided they have some general credit education. We have enrolled hundreds of thousands of people in 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, which teaches the basic principles of credit improvement and shows people how to reach a 720 credit score in 12 to 24 months. 

That said, there are situations where legal help is essential, like when your credit report includes errors caused by identity theft, or when your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) have been violated.

Let’s look at a few examples: 

In short, you don’t need a lawyer, but if your case involves fraud, harassment, or FCRA violations, legal support can make a huge difference, and you shouldn’t have to pay for it. Enroll in 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, and we’ll connect you with a law firm that provides free credit report reviews and legal representation in qualifying cases.

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FAQ: What if I’m dealing with identity theft? Can free tools help?

Yes, and you need to act quickly. If you enroll in 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, you’ll get access to free legal support from a law firm that handles identity theft cases. 

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FAQ: Are nonprofit credit counselors helpful for credit repair?

They can be, especially when you understand what they do and don’t do. Most nonprofit credit counseling courses, including the one required during bankruptcy, aren’t designed to fix your credit directly. Instead, they focus on helping you understand your financial situation, explore your legal options, and build a realistic budget. That clarity alone can set the stage for better financial choices, but it won’t walk you through how to raise your credit score.

That said, Evergreen Financial Counseling enrolls its students into 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score 30 days after they complete their required debtor education course. This is where the real credit help begins. You’ll learn how to rebuild your credit from the ground up, avoid the most common post-bankruptcy mistakes, and use new credit lines to your advantage.

Evergreen is one of the only organizations that offers this kind of post-bankruptcy credit education at no cost.

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FAQ: What if I have no credit? Can free credit repair still help?

Yes, free credit repair can absolutely help, especially if you have no credit. Having no credit history can be just as limiting as having bad credit because credit bureaus don’t give you the benefit of the doubt. If they don’t see anything in your file, they assume you’re a risk and assign you a low credit score. 

We worked with someone who filed for bankruptcy and decided to walk away from credit completely. They became a cash-only citizen, thinking it would be smarter to wait ten years for the bankruptcy to fall off their credit report before trying again. No credit cards. No loans. Nothing.

When they finally joined 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, they realized they were starting from zero. No recent credit activity meant no score at all. And even though the bankruptcy had disappeared from their report, they still had to build a new credit history from scratch.

It took two full years to reach a 720 score.

Here’s the kicker: if they had started rebuilding right after the bankruptcy, it still would’ve taken about two years. But instead, they waited ten years before taking action. So that’s twelve years total to get back on track.

Here’s a better strategy if you’re starting from zero:

1. Start immediately. Regardless of whether you have horrible credit or no credit, you will need about 12 to 24 months to improve your credit score.
2. Open three credit cards. These can be traditional credit cards or unsecured credit cards. Use them at least once a month, and pay them off in full or keep the balance under 30 percent month-round. You can find a list of credit cards likely to approve people with poor credit here. 
3. Get an installment account. This could be a car loan or a program like the Credit Rebuilder Program through Evergreen. Installment accounts show the bureaus you can manage regular monthly payments.
4. Pay on time, every time. This is the single most important factor in your score.
5. Check your credit reports each year. Make sure there are no errors holding you back.

Join 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score to learn more. 

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FAQ: Is there a way to rebuild credit after a divorce using free tools?

Yes. Rebuilding credit after a divorce is absolutely possible, even if your score took a hit from shared debts, missed payments, or closed joint accounts. If you follow credit-scoring guidelines, your score can recover in as little as 12 to 24 months. Here’s how to start:

• Figure out if you can realistically stick to your budget. If debt is piling up and you can’t make headway, explore debt-relief options before trying to rebuild credit. You can’t fix your score until the debt is under control.
• Get your free credit reports. Visit annualcreditreport.com to check for errors or accounts that don’t belong to you.
• Dispute inaccurate information. If there are errors on your credit report, submit disputes to the credit bureaus to have them corrected or removed.
• Consider writing a goodwill letter to address negative marks. If your divorce caused derogatory items, like a missed payment your ex was supposed to handle, a goodwill letter might help. A goodwill letter is a written request asking a creditor to remove a negative mark from your credit report as an act of leniency.

You don’t dispute the accuracy; rather, you explain the circumstances and ask for compassion. A sincere, respectful letter that takes responsibility and explains the situation can go a long way. It’s not guaranteed, but it is a free option and might work if:

• • You’ve had a strong payment history otherwise
  • The issue was a one-time mistake during a difficult time (like a divorce)
  • You’ve resolved the account and are in good standing now

• • Address joint credit cards. If you’re listed as a joint account holder or authorized user and your ex still has access, remove yourself if possible. If the balance is paid off and the card is no longer needed, consider closing it—but only after you’ve opened new accounts in your name to avoid spiking your credit utilization.
• Open three credit cards in your name. They don’t need to have high limits. Even secured cards can work. What matters is that they report to all three credit bureaus. (Check out this list of credit cards for people with poor to fair credit.)
• Open one installment account. This could be a small personal loan or a credit-building program like the Credit Rebuilder Program, which reports your monthly payments as an installment loan.
• Make all payments on time. Payment history is the biggest factor in your credit score. Even one late payment can hurt your progress.
• Keep your credit utilization under 30%. This means you shouldn’t carry balances higher than 30% of your credit limits. The lower your utilization, the better your score will be.

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FAQ: Can free credit repair help me qualify for a mortgage?

Absolutely. And probably sooner than you think. We enroll thousands of people into 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score every month, and these are primarily people who have been through a bankruptcy. One of the biggest misconceptions we hear from our students is that they assume that buying a home is out of the question for the next seven years. 

But that’s not true.

With the right help, we’ve seen clients qualify for a home loan while still in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. And if you’ve completed a Chapter 7? You might be just 24 months away from closing on a home, possibly even less.

The first step is simple: clean up your credit report. That means removing any inaccurate or outdated information that’s dragging your score down. If you have been through a bankruptcy or are a victim of identity theft, we’ll help you do that for free if you enroll in 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score.

Because here’s the truth: You will probably qualify for a mortgage if your score is low, but you will have a lot more options for loans if your score improves.  A credit score over 580 can open the door to a mortgage, but a score over 620 opens up more loan programs, such as down payment assistance programs. Push it to 640 or 660, and suddenly, your interest rates drop, your monthly payments shrink, and your options widen.

 Credit repair helps you get there faster. We’ve had many many clients go from bankruptcy to a 720 credit score in 12 to 24 months. And if you enroll in something like the Credit Rebuilder Program, which reports your on-time payments to the credit bureaus, you might start seeing improvement in as little as six months. 

 If you’re thinking about buying a home in the next year or two, now is the time to take your credit seriously. We suggest that you: 1) Enroll in 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score or the Credit Rebuilder Program; and 2) Talk to a mortgage broker who specializes in working with people with poor credit.

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FAQ: Can I repair credit after bankruptcy using free tools?

Yes. If you follow the behaviors that credit-scoring bureaus reward—like paying on time, keeping balances low, and opening the right kinds of accounts—it’s possible to reach a 720 score within 12 to 24 months.

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FAQ: What are the biggest myths about credit repair?

The biggest myth is that you have to wait seven years to recover from bad credit. Credit-scoring bureaus pay more attention to your recent behavior (the past two years) than they do to older behavior, so even though negative information might stay on your credit report, it won’t be weighed as heavily as more recent activity. This myth is dangerous because it stops people from taking immediate action. The truth is, you can have a great credit score (720 or above) one or two years after you start following the rules of credit-scoring. 

Here are a few other myths:

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FAQ: What is a soft pull vs. a hard pull, and why does it matter for credit repair?

When someone checks your credit report, it’s called a pull or inquiry. Whether it’s soft or hard depends on who’s making the request and why. A soft pull is a simple credit check that doesn’t affect your score. It’s typically used for informational or promotional purposes. A hard pull is a full credit inquiry that happens when someone is reviewing your file for lending decisions. It can cause your score to drop slightly, usually by a few points, and too many hard pulls in a short time can make lenders nervous because it could signal that you are having cashflow issues and need access to credit to pay your bills.

Examples of soft pulls:

• You check your own credit
  A lender checks your report to pre-approve you for an offer
• You enroll in a service that gives you access to your credit report and/or credit score

Examples of hard pulls:

• You apply for a credit card, auto loan, or mortgage
• A landlord or utility company runs a full credit check

If you’re working on credit repair, be strategic about when and how often you allow hard pulls. They can slow your progress, especially if you’re applying for multiple accounts at once. That said, if you’re shopping for rates (like for a mortgage or auto loan), inquiries within a 14–45 day window for the same type of loan are generally treated as a single inquiry.

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FAQ: How can I get a 720 credit score in 30 days fast?

Not everyone can get to a 720 in 30 days. It might be possible, but that depends on where your credit score is today and what you are capable of doing in the next 30 days.  That said, you can see a major jump.

 A lot of people don’t realize how fast their score can improve when one or two key things are fixed. I once had a student named James who came into the program with a 612 score. He had great payment history, but his cards were nearly maxed out. We showed him how to lower his utilization, and within a few weeks, his score jumped 72 points.

 Why? Because credit utilization is one of the biggest factors in your score. Once that number dropped, his score shot up.

 Another strategy that works in certain situations is becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit card. If you have a family member with a long-standing card, low balance, and perfect payment history, and they add you to the account, that positive history can show up on your credit report.

 I’ve seen people go from the low 600s into the 680s almost overnight—just from being added to one strong account. It doesn’t work in every case, but when the card is reporting the right way and the credit profile is solid, it can give your score a big boost.

But none of that happens without taking action. Whether your score improves by 20 points or 100, the goal is momentum. Inside 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, we show you exactly where to start based on your situation—and we do it for free.

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FAQ: Are credit repair companies ever worth paying for?

Yes, but only in two specific situations. First, if you have a credit report error that isn’t related to bankruptcy or identity theft, and you don’t have the time or confidence to dispute it yourself, then paying for credit repair might make sense. Second, if you need to build new positive credit history, a paid credit rebuilder program could be a smart move. It’s not traditional credit repair, but it helps raise your score by reporting on-time payments to the credit bureaus.

If your credit report is mostly negative, or if you don’t have many accounts, a credit rebuilder program will report your on-time payments to all three credit bureaus, helping you establish a positive payment history, which is one of the key factors in a credit score.

But in most other cases, you’re better off starting with a free credit education program like 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, especially if your credit issues are tied to bankruptcy or another financial meltdown. That program includes a free credit report review through a law firm that handles disputes at no cost if the errors are caused by bankruptcy or identity theft.

Most people who pay for traditional credit repair end up disappointed. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has logged over 100,000 complaints about credit repair companies. Many of these involve hidden fees, vague promises, and little to no progress.

One man I worked with paid more than $1,000 over the course of a year. The company he hired kept disputing the same items without ever explaining what they were doing. His score didn’t budge. When he tried to cancel, no one responded. Eventually, he joined 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, and after following the steps for six months, his score started to rise … for free.

So if you’re thinking about spending money on credit repair, ask yourself what you’re really paying for. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Paid Credit Repair vs. Credit Education vs. Credit Rebuilder Program

If you’re going to pay for something, make sure it’s helping you move forward. Focus on services that offer real value, like building positive credit or giving you tools to understand and manage your score long-term. If it’s not doing that, you’re probably better off keeping your money.

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FAQ: What are some real success stories from people who used free credit repair resources?

You can listen to one of our favorite success stories from a student who enrolled in 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, a free credit-education program, after declaring bankruptcy.

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After studying tens of thousands of credit reports, helping over 200,000 people, and spending decades as a mortgage broker, I’ve seen the same surprising truth play out again and again: most people are in a better position to rebuild after bankruptcy than they were before it. After all, they are no longer struggling to pay their bills.

In fact, with the right steps, your score can hit 720 in as little as one to two years.

The key is knowing what to do, and when to start. (Spoiler: it’s now.)

In this article, I’ll walk you through what happens to your credit score after bankruptcy, how to start building credit after a bankruptcy, and which credit-building moves make the biggest impact. 

FAQ: How soon can I start building credit after a bankruptcy?

Answer: Right away. In fact, most people are surprised to learn that it’s easier to rebuild your credit score after bankruptcy than before. That’s because you’re in a better financial position after bankruptcy: your overdue balances are gone, and you’re no longer juggling payments you can’t afford.

On the other hand, before the bankruptcy, you were likely maxing out your credit cards, and you might have been paying your bills late, which are both things that can cause your credit score to drop. 

If you start rebuilding your credit score right away, your credit score can increase to 720 (which is considered a great score) in just one or two years. 

We recommend starting a credit-rebuilding strategy the same month your bankruptcy is discharged (Chapter 7) or confirmed (Chapter 13). Programs like 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score and the Credit Rebuilder Program are designed to guide you through this process from day one.

Watch & Learn: Will Bankruptcy Destroy Your Credit?

FAQ: Will my credit score go up or down when my bankruptcy is discharged?

Answer: It depends on where your score was before filing. If your credit was already low because of missed payments, maxed-out cards, or accounts in collections, your score might go up once the bankruptcy is discharged. That’s because many of your overdue balances get wiped out, and your debt-to-income ratio improves overnight.

If your score was high going into the bankruptcy, you might see a drop. But even then, the dip is usually short-lived if you take the right steps to rebuild your credit after the bankruptcy. Think of your bankruptcy as a clean slate. If you adopt new habits after the bankruptcy, your score can climb to 720 in 12 or 24 months. Namely, you should:

1.   Open three new credit cards
2.   Pay your credit cards on time and keep the balance low (no higher than 30 percent of the limit) 
3.   Remove all errors from your credit report
4.   Add an installment account to your credit report

You can learn more by joining free credit-education programs like 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score. 

FAQ: What’s the fastest way of building credit after bankruptcy?

Answer: The key is to start right away. A lot of people think they have to wait 7 to 10 years for the bankruptcy to fall off their credit report before they can do anything, but that’s the slowest possible path.

Here’s what most people don’t realize: Credit bureaus care more about what you’re doing now than what happened in the past. The newer your positive behavior, the more weight it carries. So if you start rebuilding today, your score can start improving in just a few months. Most people who follow a focused plan see real progress within 12 to 24 months, even with the bankruptcy still on their report.

But if you wait seven years to get started, you’re really looking at eight or nine years before you’re back in good shape. That’s a long time to sit on the sidelines.

So what’s the game plan?

• Open the right kinds of credit. That means that you open three new credit cards and one installment account after your bankruptcy has been discharged or confirmed. This gives the credit-scoring bureaus new information on your patterns of behavior after the bankruptcy.
• Keep your balances low on your credit cards. Aim to use less than 30% of your available credit, but using less than 10% is even better. That tells lenders you’re not relying on credit to get by.
• Pay on time, every time. Even one late payment can set you back. Automate where you can.
• Fix reporting errors. After bankruptcy, your credit report can be full of mistakes related to the bankruptcy. Get them corrected so you’re not being unfairly penalized.
• Follow a system. Programs like 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score and the Credit Rebuilder Program take the guesswork out of the process and help you stay on track.

Don’t wait. Every month you delay is a missed opportunity to show the credit bureaus that you’ve changed—and to get closer to the score you want.

Watch & Learn: Building Credit After Bankruptcy Through a Credit Rebuilder Program

FAQ: Can I qualify for a credit card after filing for bankruptcy?

Answer: Yes, though you may pay high interest rates on traditional credit cards. Credit cards designed for people with poor credit often come with a high APR, or Annual Percentage Rate. This is the total cost of borrowing over the course of a year, including interest and fees. The higher the APR, the more you’ll pay in interest if you carry a balance from month to month.

If you’re having trouble qualifying for a traditional credit card, you’re not out of options. One workaround is to apply for a secured credit card. Another is to ask someone you trust to add you as an authorized user on their credit card. Both can help you rebuild credit, but they work in very different ways, and each comes with its own pros and cons.

Building Credit After Bankruptcy Through a Secured Credit Card

A secured credit card is a great starting point if you’re rebuilding your credit, but it works a little differently than a traditional credit card. To open one, you’ll need to make a refundable deposit (usually a few hundred dollars) that becomes your credit limit. So if you put down $300, your limit is $300. 

But here’s something a lot of people misunderstand: the deposit doesn’t go toward paying your monthly bill. It just sits there as collateral. You still use the card to make purchases, and then you’re expected to pay off those charges, just like you would with any other credit card. If you don’t pay the bill, the lender can keep your deposit and report your payment as late. If you use the card responsibly and eventually decide to close it, or if you graduate to an unsecured card, then and only then do you get your deposit back, as long as your balance is paid in full.

The upside is that most secured cards report to all three credit bureaus, which means every on-time payment helps rebuild your credit. Just make sure to pay the bill in full and on time, and keep your balance low.

Be sure to read this article: “Is It Possible to Get Credit Cards After Bankruptcy?” And be sure to check out our list of credit cards designed for people with poor to fair credit.

Building Credit After Bankruptcy Through Authorized User Accounts

An authorized user account works a little differently. This is when a friend or family member adds you to their existing credit card. You don’t have to apply or put down a deposit. You’ll benefit from their payment history and length of credit, which can give your score a nice boost, as long as they’re responsible with the account. If they carry a high balance or miss payments, it can actually hurt your score instead of helping it. So make sure it’s someone you trust, and that they understand what’s at stake.

Neither option is perfect, but both can be powerful tools if used the right way. Some people even do both: they get a secured card to build their own credit while becoming an authorized user to strengthen their history even faster.

FAQ: How many credit cards do I need to start building credit after bankruptcy effectively?

Answer: Three. That’s the number we recommend if you’re serious about building your credit after bankruptcy.

That might sound surprising, especially if you’ve just been through a financial crisis like bankruptcy, but here’s the thing: this isn’t about going into debt. Opening credit cards after bankruptcy is about proving to the credit bureaus that you can use credit responsibly now, which is how you rebuild trust and how your score starts to improve. 

Opening three credit cards gives you more room to show positive behavior. About 35 percent of your credit score is based on your payment history, so when you open three cards after a bankruptcy, and then pay them on time, you give the credit-scoring bureaus more data about your new-and-improved behavior. 

And here’s an important tip: try to open them around the same time. One factor that affects your score is the age of your accounts. If you open one card now and wait six months to open the others, the new ones will drag down your average account age. But if you open all three close together, they’ll age together, and that helps your score in the long run.

You don’t need to spend much. Use each card for something small, like a streaming service or a gas fill-up, then pay it off in full every month. 

It might feel strange at first, but these three cards can become the foundation of your financial comeback. And the sooner you start, the sooner they start working in your favor.

When I first started teaching people how to rebuild their credit almost three decades ago, one of the biggest sources of confusion was the credit score you get from banks (and now from apps). People would come to me saying, “Phil, Chase says my score is 720. Why did I get denied for a loan?”

I get it. It’s frustrating and confusing. But once you understand how credit scores are created, and which ones lenders actually use, it all starts to make sense. In this article, we’ll break it down so that you understand credit-scoring models and how to gauge your credit score.

What Credit Score Does Chase Show?

Chase provides something called a VantageScore 3.0, which is based on a mathematical formula pulled from your TransUnion credit report.

But here’s the important part: The formula applied to create the Chase credit score isn’t the same formula that is used to create a FICO score, which is the model most lenders use. And most lenders will take a look at not only your TransUnion credit report, but also your Experian credit report, and your Equifax credit report.

This might come as a surprise, because most lenders use your FICO score to make credit decisions. In fact, around 90% of lending decisions are based on a version of the FICO model, especially when it comes to mortgages, car loans, and major credit cards.

FICO and VantageScore pull from the same types of data: payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, and so on. But they weigh those factors differently. That means your score can look different depending on which model is used, even though the underlying credit report is the same.

Think of it like two chefs using the same ingredients to make a dish. One might prioritize spice, the other sweetness. The final result looks similar, and the dish might be called the same thing by both chefs, but it tastes different. That’s what’s happening with your credit scores: same data, different recipe.
So if you’re monitoring your credit with Chase, it’s a great way to track trends and get a general sense of your credit health, but don’t assume that number is what lenders will see when they pull your FICO score.

Watch & Learn: Do You Feel Stuck in Debt?

VantageScore vs. FICO: What’s the difference?

So what’s the difference?

Your credit score is calculated using the information in your credit report, things like:

• Your payment history
• How much debt you’re carrying
• How long you’ve had credit accounts
• What types of credit you use
• How recently you’ve opened new accounts

This information is plugged into a complex mathematical formula that spits out your credit score. But not all scoring models weigh those factors the same way.

• FICO and VantageScore are two competing credit scoring systems.
• Both use the same 300–850 scale, but the formula behind them is different.
• That’s why you can have a 720 VantageScore and a 680 FICO score; both are “accurate,” just calculated differently.

In short: Your Chase credit score is a real credit score, but it is limited in its usefulness because it is not the one most lenders are using. While it’s helpful for tracking trends, don’t assume it’s what a bank will see when you apply for credit.

Why Is My Chase Credit Score Different From Other Scores I’ve Seen?

Here’s something that might seem a little confusing, so I’ll break it down. You have many credit scores. In fact, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reports that consumers can have dozens of scores depending on:

• The credit bureau providing the report (TransUnion, Experian, Equifax)
• The scoring model (FICO 8, FICO 9, FICO Auto Score, VantageScore, etc.)
• The version of the scoring model
• The date your data was pulled

Here’s an example: Let’s say Chase shows your VantageScore 3.0 as 720. But if a mortgage lender pulls your FICO Score 2 based on Experian, it could be 685. Both scores are accurate in their own right. They’re just calculated differently.

Making it even more confusing, when a lender pulls your FICO Score 2, they will get three scores: One from Experian, one from TransUnion, and a third from Equifax. They will ignore the highest and the lowest scores, and they will assign you an interest rate based on the middle score.

Watch & Learn: Building Credit Through a Credit Rebuilder Program

Can I Trust Chase’s Credit Score?

You can trust the Chase credit score to monitor trends and get a general idea of where you stand, but you cannot trust it to be an accurate indicator of the terms you will receive on a credit card, mortgage, or car loan.

Here’s an example: If your Chase score drops, there’s a good chance your FICO score dropped too. If it rises, your FICO likely did as well.

But don’t make major credit decisions like applying for a mortgage or car loan based only on the score you see in your Chase dashboard. Get your real FICO scores first. (You can likely get your FICO score by asking a mortgage broker to pre-approve you for a loan.)

Does a High Chase Credit Score Mean I’ll Qualify for a Loan?

Not always. Lenders rarely use VantageScore to make approval decisions. Even if you have a 730 score with Chase, your FICO could be in the 600s depending on:

• Credit card balances
• Recent inquiries
• Derogatory marks
• Age of accounts

If you’re preparing for a big financial step, like buying a home, leasing a car, or applying for new credit, check your FICO scores in advance.

What If My Chase Credit Score Is Low?

More than 30 years ago, I was a mortgage broker helping people buy homes. One day, I walked into the bank and found out I was overdrawn. When I tried to apply for overdraft protection, I was denied. That moment was humiliating and eye-opening. I knew I had to change something. So I started learning everything I could about credit scores: How they’re built, how they’re damaged, and most importantly, how to rebuild them.

If you’re looking to improve your credit score fast, Chase or FICO, the first step is to figure out why your score is low. For some people, it’s because they don’t have enough credit history. In that case, becoming an authorized user on someone else’s well-managed credit card can give your score an instant boost. For others, high credit card balances are the problem. Lowering your credit utilization, ideally under 30 percent of your limit, or even better, under 10 percent, can lead to major gains in just a few months.

Another powerful strategy is cleaning up errors on your credit report. We’ve seen clients jump 50 to 100 points simply by disputing accounts that should have been removed after bankruptcy or fixing reporting mistakes. If you have collections on your report, paying them off doesn’t always help your score, but negotiating a pay-for-delete agreement can. And even when deletion isn’t possible, resolving the debt can reduce stress and show future lenders you’re taking responsibility.

Finally, building new, positive credit history is key, particularly if you have been through a bankruptcy. Most people think it takes seven years to rebuild a credit score, but that’s a myth. With smart, consistent habits, you can often go from the 500s to the 700s in 12 to 24 months. Focus on what the scoring models care about: recent behavior, on-time payments, low balances, and a steady track record.

Need Help?

Our program, 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, is built around the actual scoring models lenders use, and it works even after bankruptcy.

Want to raise your real credit score?

Join the thousands of people who have rebuilt their credit in just 12 to 24 months.
Start the free credit-education program, and take control of your credit with a plan that actually works.

Related Articles: 

“Does Overdraft Affect Credit Scores?”

“Does Klarna Affect Your Credit Score?”

“Does the Method for Calculating Credit Scores Seem Fair to You? Why or Why Not?”

FAQs

One age group stands out with the highest percentage of credit scores 620 or less, and it’s probably not the one you think. According to aggregated data from sources like CliffsNotes, ClassAce, and CourseSidekick, the biggest spike doesn’t happen at the beginning of adulthood. It happens later.

That surprised me… until I thought about what really happens during that stage of life. Bills pile up. Mortgages, student loans, kids, credit cards: All of it hits at once. It’s a pressure cooker.

So let’s take a closer look at what age group has the highest percentage of credit scores 620 or less, and more importantly, what you can do if your score is stuck in the low 600s … or lower.

What Age Group Has the Highest Percentage of Credit Scores 620 or Less?

If you’re wondering what age group has the highest percentage of credit scores 620 or less, it’s not the very young. It’s people in their 30s. Adults between the ages of 30 and 39 are more likely than any other age group to have a credit score of 620 or lower. While it’s easy to assume that younger adults would struggle the most due to limited credit history, the data tells a different story. The trend toward a lower credit score happens in the decade when financial responsibilities start compounding fast.

Here’s why this decade is the most credit-challenging:

• Big life expenses: Mortgages, student loan payments, car loans, credit
  cards, and kids. These pile up fast.
• Risky borrowing patterns: Entry into higher-limit cards and large loans can
  lead to missed payments or high balances.
• Lingering credit damage: Mistakes from your 20s may still be dragging down
  your score, and recovery takes time.
• Not enough time to rebuild: Unlike older adults, those in their 30s haven’t
  had decades to recover from credit missteps.

By contrast, people under 30 may have limited credit history, which does lower their score, but it also translates to fewer chances for serious damage, and people over 40 are often in the process of rebuilding or have already done so.

In your 30s, you’re often juggling student loans, car payments, mortgages, childcare, and credit cards, all while trying to build a stable life. It’s a lot. And when money gets tight, it’s easy for payments to fall behind, causing credit scores to drop.

Be sure to read this related article: “How Can I Improve My Credit Score Quickly?”

What Does a Sub-620 Credit Score Mean?

If you fall into the age group with the highest percentage of credit scores 620 or less, here’s what that means for your day-to-day finances:

• Mortgage limitations: Conventional home loans often require a minimum score of 620.
• High interest rates: Lenders may approve a loan, but at punishing rates.
• Loan denials: You may not qualify at all, especially for auto or personal loans.
• Increased fees and deposits: You might be required to pay security deposits for apartments, cell phones, or utilities.

In short, a low credit score makes everything more expensive, or unavailable altogether. By contrast, here’s what you can expect if you increase your credit score to 720:

• Lower interest rates:You’ll save thousands over the life of a loan.
• Higher credit limits: Lenders trust you with more borrowing power.
• Top-tier credit cards: Get access to cards with serious perks.
• Free travel: Use points and miles to cover flights, hotels, and upgrades.
• Cash-back and rewards: Earn money or points on everyday spending.
• Stronger approval odds: Qualify more easily for mortgages, auto loans, and rentals.
• Better terms: Enjoy lower fees, better insurance rates, and fewer security deposits.

Tips for Improving a Credit Score of 620 or Less

If your credit score is below 620, the 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score free credit-education program can help you start turning things around today. Here are three tips from the course:

Keep Your Balances Low

Your credit utilization ratio, how much credit you’re using compared to your total limit, is one of the biggest factors in your credit score. The goal is to keep this ratio under 30%, but if you want to see real movement in your score, aim for 10% or less. That doesn’t mean you need to pay off your cards entirely. Just avoid letting balances creep too high.

Dispute Credit Report Errors

Mistakes on your credit report can drag down your score for years if you don’t catch them. And they’re more common than most people realize: Industry experts estimate that between 34% and 70% of reports contain at least one error. Check your report regularly at annualcreditreport.com, which gives you free access from all three bureaus. If you find anything that looks wrong, like a payment marked late when you know it wasn’t, dispute it in writing and follow up until it’s resolved. The 7 Steps program includes templates and step-by-step instructions to walk you through it.

Mix Your Credit Types

Credit scoring models reward variety. That means having both revolving credit (like credit cards) and installment accounts (like car loans, student loans, or credit-builder loans). If you only have one type, your score may be stuck, even if you’re doing everything else right. You don’t need to take on unnecessary debt, but adding a small, manageable installment account can give your score a helpful nudge.

Watch & Learn: Building Credit Through a Credit Rebuilder Program

FAQ

What does a credit score of 620 or less mean for your finances?

A credit score of 620 or lower can be a major barrier to financial opportunity. This is the cutoff that many lenders use to determine whether you qualify for loans, credit cards, and even rental agreements.

At this level, you’re in what’s often called “subprime” territory. That means even if you get approved for credit, it’s likely to come with high interest rates, low credit limits, or extra fees. For example, someone with a 620 score might qualify for a car loan with an 11% interest rate, while someone with a 720 score could get the same loan for under 6%. Over the life of the loan, that difference could cost you thousands.

You might also face added expenses like utility deposits, higher insurance premiums, or prepaid cell phone plans. In short, a low score makes everything more expensive. A low score also has an impact on your peace of mind. Many people report feeling stuck or ashamed, even when the low score came from events outside their control. But you’re not powerless. Credit scores are fluid, and with a focused credit rebuilding plan, you can climb out of the low-600 range in just a year or two.

How fast can you raise your credit score after it drops below 620?

With the right strategy, you can reach a 700+ score in as little as 12 to 24 months.
Credit scores are not fixed. They respond quickly to new behavior. The most important thing is to stop the damage and start showing positive activity. That means on-time payments, low credit utilization, and adding the right mix of accounts. Even one new positive tradeline (like a credit card or installment account) can begin moving the needle.

People often wait for the negative items to “fall off” their credit report, assuming that time alone will fix the problem. But that’s a mistake. A bankruptcy, for example, might stay on your report for up to 10 years, but your score can recover long before that. In fact, many participants in the 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score program see dramatic changes in their scores within the first six months, especially if they follow the credit-building steps exactly.

The key is not waiting for time to do the work. Your score improves when you start taking action. And the sooner you do, the sooner your credit begins to reflect your current behavior, not your past.

Is it better to pay off old debt or build new credit when your score is low?

You need to do both, but when it comes to raising your credit score fast, new positive activity often has the biggest impact.

Here’s why: Credit scoring models place more weight on current behavior than on the past. That means if you’re only focused on paying down old debt, your score may not budge much, especially if that debt is already charged off or in collections. On the other hand, adding new accounts and using them wisely gives the credit bureaus something positive to report.

For example, someone with a 620 score who opens a secured credit card, keeps the balance below 10%, and makes on-time payments each month can start to see their score rise within a few billing cycles. And if they add an installment loan, like the one offered through the Credit Rebuilder Program, the impact can be even stronger.

That said, paying down revolving debt (like credit cards) is still critical, especially if your credit utilization is high. But the real key is balance: clean up what you can, and start building new credit at the same time.

Should I stop using credit and go cash-only?

No, and here’s why: You need credit to build credit.

It’s completely understandable to want to ditch credit altogether, especially if you’ve gone through a bankruptcy or struggled with debt. Going cash-only can feel like a fresh start. But over the long run, avoiding credit entirely can hurt more than it helps.

Here’s the deal: Your credit score is based on your use of credit. If you don’t have active accounts reporting to the credit bureaus, there’s nothing to measure. That means even if you’re financially responsible, your score can drop because there’s no recent activity to track.

Eventually, you’ll need your credit score, whether it’s for renting an apartment, buying a car, getting a mortgage, or even setting up utilities. If you’ve been off the grid for too long, you might face high deposits, higher interest rates, or outright denials.

The smarter move is to use credit strategically. That means opening the right accounts, using them for small purchases, and paying them off in full each month. This builds a strong credit history without getting you back into debt. Programs like the free credit-education program, 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, are designed to walk you through exactly how to do this.

Will paying off my collections help my credit score?

Not necessarily. A lot of people assume that once you pay off a collection account, your credit score will go up. But that’s not always how it works.

Here’s why: Once a collection shows up on your credit report, the damage is already done, and simply paying it off doesn’t erase the mark. That collection can remain on your report for up to seven years, whether it’s paid or unpaid. And many credit scoring models, especially the older ones, continue to factor it in even after it’s been paid.

Some newer scoring models ignore paid collections entirely, especially if they’re medical debts. But most lenders still rely on older models, so it’s hard to know if paying the debt will actually improve your score.

There’s another risk, too: If the debt is past the statute of limitations and you make a payment, you might restart the legal clock. That means the account could become collectible again or even show up longer on your report.

One possible workaround? Negotiate a pay-for-delete agreement. That’s when you ask the collection agency to remove the item from your report entirely in exchange for payment. It’s not guaranteed, and it’s discouraged by credit bureaus, but it does happen. If successful, it could raise your score by 50 to 100 points. (Step 6 of the 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, our free credit-education course, walks you through how to do this.)

Even if deletion isn’t possible, paying the debt can still bring peace of mind and prevent future collection efforts. But if your goal is to boost your score, the biggest gains usually come from building new credit habits: on-time payments, low balances, and responsible use of credit going forward.

More than 30 years ago, I started my career as a mortgage broker helping people make the biggest purchase of their lives: buying a home. I seemed like I had it all together… but I walked into the bank one day, and reality hit me hard.

“You’re overdrawn!” the teller said, not exactly in a whisper.

I looked around, hoping no one recognized me. Here I was, supposed to be the expert, and I had negative $12 in my account.

Then she asked if I wanted to apply for overdraft protection. Of course I said yes.

And then came the real gut punch…

“You’ve been denied.”

I was broke. I had bad credit, and I felt like a fraud.

That moment stuck with me. I kept thinking, How can I fix this? How can I improve my credit score quickly?

So I started digging. I studied credit reports, talked to experts, and read everything I could get my hands on. Slowly, my score climbed. And eventually, I put everything I learned into a system, something simple and step-by-step.

That became 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, first a book, then a course. It’s now helped more than 200,000 people rebuild after setbacks like bankruptcy, divorce, job loss, or just plain life.

If you’re wondering—How can I improve my credit score quickly? —then this is a great place to start. I’ll share with you some of the best tips out there for moving the needle.

While you are at it, take advantage of our limited offer to enroll in our credit-education course for free!

FAQ: What’s the fastest way for someone to raise their credit score?

Answer: It really depends on your credit history, so let me give you a few examples that might be relevant to your specific credit profile.

Joshua was one of our students, and when he started the course, his score was low, not because he had any financial upsets, but because he didn’t have much credit to begin with. That’s common. When the credit bureaus don’t see much history, they get nervous. Their job is to guess how likely you are to miss a payment in the next 24 months, and if they don’t have much data to go on, they tend to play it safe and assume the worst.

Joshua’s score was 589, which is way too low to qualify for the best interest rates, much less get approved for some apartments.

So here’s what we told Joshua:

If you don’t have much credit yet, one of the fastest ways to boost your score is to become an authorized user on someone else’s credit card. That means you piggyback on their account and get the benefit of their payment history, without taking on their debt.

But here’s the catch: the account needs to be in great shape. That means the person pays on time, keeps their balance low (ideally under 30 percent of the credit limit), and has had the card open for a while.

Joshua added himself as an authorized user on three of his parents’ cards, cards they had managed well for years. And the result? His score jumped 107 points.

It’s one of the quickest wins we’ve seen for people who are just getting started.

Now let’s look at another example…

Alana came to us after filing for bankruptcy. Her credit score was low (607), but when we looked closer, we found something that made a big difference: Several of her old accounts were still being reported as active, even though they should have been cleared in the bankruptcy. Since no payments had been made on those accounts, they were showing up as severely past due.

That kind of reporting error can drag down a score fast.

We helped Alana file disputes to clean up the mistakes, and once those errors were removed, her score jumped from 607 to 672. That wasn’t quite high enough to unlock the best interest rates, but it moved her out of the “poor” category and into the “fair-to-good” range. And with a few more smart moves that she learned from our free credit-rebuilding program, she hit 720 just nine months later.

Watch & Learn: How Can I Improve My Credit Score Fast?

Here’s one more example, this time from someone with a different kind of credit challenge.

Leo wasn’t behind on any of his bills. He had a few dings over the years, but he paid on time most of the time. But his credit score was still stuck, and when we looked closer, we saw why: nearly all his credit cards were maxed out or close to it.

That’s a big red flag in the credit world. Even if you’re making payments, high balances can drag down your score. It tells lenders you might be overextended or struggling to manage your finances.

So here’s what we told Leo:

Do whatever you can to bring those balances down. The general rule is to keep your credit card usage under 30 percent of your limit. So if you have a $1,000 limit, aim to stay below $300. If 30 percent feels out of reach, shoot for 50 percent to start. And if you can get it down to 30 percent, don’t stop there: Getting it under 10 percent is even better.

Leo got serious about it. He trimmed his spending, made extra payments, and chipped away at those balances week by week. And the results were worth it: once his utilization dropped below 10 percent, his credit score jumped 118 points.

FAQ: Is it true that paying off collections helps your credit score?

Answer: Not always. It’s a common assumption that paying off a collection account will automatically boost your credit score, but that’s not how it usually works.

Here’s the deal: Once a collection is on your credit report, it can stay there for up to seven years, even if you pay it off. Just making a payment doesn’t erase it. And depending on which credit scoring model a lender uses, that paid collection might still hurt your score.

Some newer models like FICO 9 and VantageScore 4.0 ignore paid collections, but older models, including the widely used FICO 8, do not. So unless you know which model is being used, it’s hard to say whether your payment will make a difference.

There’s another layer to this. When you make a payment on an old collection, especially one that’s past the statute of limitations, you might restart the clock. That means the debt becomes “active” again and can stay on your report longer or even open the door to legal action.

But there’s a smart workaround: negotiation. In some cases, you can talk to the collection agency and ask for a pay-for-delete agreement. That’s where they agree to remove the account from your credit report entirely in exchange for payment. While credit bureaus officially discourage this practice, some collectors will still honor it, especially if you get the agreement in writing. When it works, a pay-for-delete can lead to a major score jump, sometimes 50 to 100 points or more.

We discuss this strategy in Step 6 of our free credit-education course. 

If deletion isn’t an option, paying the collection still has some benefits. It can stop collection calls, reduce stress, and show future lenders that you’ve taken care of your obligations. Just know that in terms of credit score improvement, the real wins come from either removing the collection or building new, positive credit behavior, like paying your current bills on time, lowering your credit card balances, and avoiding new hard inquiries.

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