What to Look for in a Credit Repair Course

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Credit Score Range	Extra Interest Paid on a 30-Year Fixed Mortgage (Compared to 720+)	Extra Interest Paid on a $25,000 60-Month Car Loan (Compared to 720+)
700-719	$13,502.75	$1,350.00
660-699	$45,330.55	$3,750.00
620-659	$100,894.69	$6,750.00
Below 620	$162,425.77	$9,000.00

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.

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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