How To Fix Credit Scores?

My credit is bad, is there a professional person who can fix it?

• I am 20 years old and I have bad credit and I don't know how. I've never had a credit card, don't own a house, I borrow my boyfriends car, and I live with a friend. I tried to get my credit scores almost a year ago but I missed spelled my mom's maiden name but in a few weeks I will be able to get another free credit check. I want to know if my credit is bad is there a professional who can fix it or do I go to a lawyer?

• Answer:

  You can't fix bad credit other than by cleaning up your credit reports and afterwards allowing the time it takes to rebuild your credit score, but first you're going to have to find out what exactly it is that is making it so bad. Don't pay someone for things you can do yourself. If you've never established credit, it could be that you've been the victim of identity theft if you're sure you have "bad credit" (as opposed to "no credit"). You are entitled to get one free credit report per year at https://annualcreditreport.com . When you request your reports, make sure you get the one that includes all three credit bureaus. When you get your reports, go over them with a fine toothed comb. If you see items you don't recognize, dispute them with the credit bureaus and the companies that reported them. If you find you have been the victim of identity theft, recovering can be a long process, but it can be done. More info here: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/consumers/defend.html ------------------------------ To the poster below, checking your own FICO or obtaining your own credit reports does NOT lower your credit score.