Straight answers about credit
The questions people ask Shawn most often, answered plainly.
About credit repair
How do I get started?
It starts with a free consultation. We talk about your goals, look at where your credit stands, and tell you plainly what can and cannot be done.
Is credit repair legit?
Legitimate credit repair is real and legal. Watch for red flags: anyone who guarantees a score, promises to remove accurate negative items, offers a new credit identity, or tells you not to contact the credit bureaus yourself.
How long does credit repair take?
It varies with what is on your reports. The bureaus generally have about 30 days to investigate each dispute, so the work moves in rounds. Your written contract includes an estimated completion date.
Will I get results?
Results depend on what is on your reports. If items are inaccurate, incomplete, outdated or cannot be verified, they can be challenged, and many are corrected or removed. Accurate, timely information cannot be removed, so we will always tell you what is realistic before you start.
What if a removed item comes back?
A creditor can sometimes verify an item later and it is reinserted. The bureau must notify you in writing within five business days when that happens, and we review whether it can be challenged again.
About credit scores
What is my credit score based on?
Scores weigh your payment history, how much of your available credit you use, the length of your credit history, recent applications, and the mix of accounts. By law, scores cannot use race, religion, national origin, sex or marital status.
How much does bad credit cost?
Often thousands of dollars over time. Lower scores usually mean higher interest on car loans, mortgages and cards, bigger deposits for utilities and apartments, and sometimes higher insurance premiums.
How do I raise my credit score fast?
The quickest legitimate levers are paying down revolving balances to lower utilization, fixing reporting errors, and making every payment on time. Be cautious of shortcuts that promise more.
Can you help me build credit for my business?
Yes, through our sister company, CBM Business Solutions, which helps business owners build business credit and find funding.
Know your rights: the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and your consumer credit file rights.
Make your next move
A free credit consultation. No judgment, no pressure, and a straight answer about what can be done.