Do-it-yourself guides
How the process actually works, written for people doing it themselves. Pair any guide with the free app to build your letters and track your deadlines.
Disputes & your rights
You Pay Your Card in Full Every Month. So Why Does Your Report Show a Balance?
Your card company reports the balance on your statement date, not after you pay. How utilization is really figured, and what to do about it.
The Credit Reporting Shake-Up: What Pulte's VantageScore Order Means for You
FHFA's Bill Pulte opened VantageScore 4.0 to every mortgage lender and accused the bureaus of overcharging Americans. Here's what changes for your credit.
609 Dispute Letter: The Myth, the Law, and What Works
The '609 dispute letter' is the most oversold template in credit repair. Here's what FCRA §609 actually says, and the letter that really works.
How to Get All 3 Credit Bureau Reports in 2026 (Free)
A practical guide to pulling your Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion reports — what's free by law, and the paid services worth it for ongoing monitoring.
Credit Report Errors Statistics: What the Data Shows
A sourced summary of what the FTC, CFPB, and independent researchers have found about how often U.S. credit reports contain errors that affect outcomes.
How to Dispute Credit Report Errors Step by Step [2026]
A current walkthrough of the credit dispute process — what to gather, what to write, who to send it to, and what to do when the bureau says 'verified.'
Lexington Law vs. CreditShield: Full Comparison
Lexington Law was the largest credit repair firm in the U.S. before a 2023 CFPB action shut it down. An honest, side-by-side comparison with CreditShield.
What Happens After You Send a Dispute Letter?
A day-by-day walkthrough of the FCRA dispute process — from the bureau signing the return receipt through the 30-day investigation window and its outcomes.
What Is the FCRA and How Does It Protect You?
A plain-English guide to the Fair Credit Reporting Act — the 1970 law giving every U.S. consumer accurate reports, free copies, disputes, and real remedies.
Collections & negotiation
Goodwill Letter: How to Get Late Payments Removed
A goodwill letter asks the original creditor to remove an accurate late payment as a courtesy. Here's when it works and the mistakes that get requests denied.
How Long Do Collections Stay on Your Credit Report?
Collections fall off your credit report 7 years from first delinquency — paying doesn't extend it, and re-aging is illegal. Here's how to remove them sooner.
Pay for Delete Letter: How It Works and What to Include
Pay for delete is a negotiation, not a right — payment for removing a collection from your report. When it works, and the mistakes that cost money.
For those who served
Deploying Soon? Two Free Credit Protections the Law Already Gives You
Active duty members can place a free active duty alert and get free credit monitoring from all three bureaus. Here's how each works and who's left out.
VA Sent You to Community Care — and the Bill Wrecked Your Credit. Here's the Fix.
When VA-authorized community care gets billed to the veteran instead of the VA, the collection lands on your credit report. A VA helpline exists for this.
Debt and Your Security Clearance: Fixing Guideline F Problems Before They Fix You
Unresolved debt is the most common reason security clearances get denied or revoked, and continuous vetting can flag a new collection. Here's the playbook.
Lost Your Home After VASP Ended? The 2-Year Credit Rebuild Plan for Veterans
The VA's VASP rescue program ended in May 2025 and thousands of veterans have faced foreclosure since. Here's the realistic 24-month path to VA-loan ready.
7 Credit Scams Targeting Military Families in 2026
Active-duty servicemembers are 76% more likely to report losing money to scams than civilians. Here are seven common credit scams targeting military families.
How a PCS Move Can Wreck Your Credit (And How to Fix It)
A Permanent Change of Station shouldn't cost you your credit, but missed bills, broken leases, and closed accounts commonly damage servicemember scores.
SCRA 6% Interest Rate Cap: How Servicemembers Use It
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act caps interest at 6% on debts incurred before active duty. Here's who qualifies, what's covered, and how to invoke it.
VA Loan Credit Score Minimums in 2026: Lender Floors
The VA sets no official minimum credit score for VA home loans. Lenders set their own — usually 580 to 620 — and here's what to do if yours is lower.