Credit Repair & Builder
Your Credit Report May Contain Errors — And Those Errors Are Costing You Real Money.
Your credit score determines your mortgage rate, auto loan terms, insurance premiums, rental applications, and even employment opportunities. A difference of 50 points can mean tens of thousands of dollars over the life of a loan. And if your report contains inaccurate, unverifiable, or outdated information — which research shows is far more common than most Americans realize — you may be paying a financial penalty for mistakes that are not your fault.
United Debt Relief offers Credit Repair & Builder programs that systematically identify, challenge, and resolve inaccurate items across all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — while simultaneously building positive credit history that strengthens your score for the long term. We serve clients in all 50 states.
| 44% | Of Americans who reviewed their credit reports found at least one error. 27% found errors serious enough to damage their creditworthiness. (Consumer Reports / WorkMoney Credit Checkup, 2024) |
| 1 in 5 | Consumers have a ‘potentially material error’ in their credit file that makes them appear riskier than they actually are, according to Brookings Institution analysis of FTC data. |
| ~5 Million | Consumer complaints about credit reporting errors filed with the CFPB in 2025 — up from 1.3M in 2023. Credit reporting now represents over 80% of all CFPB complaints. (CFPB complaint database, 2025) |
The Two-Part Credit Repair & Builder Strategy
1
Remove the Negatives
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the legal right to dispute inaccurate, unverifiable, or outdated information on your credit reports. When you dispute an item, the credit bureau must investigate and remove any information it cannot verify as accurate. The program systematically identifies every actionable item across all three bureaus and files targeted disputes on your behalf.
2
Build the Positives
Removing negatives is only half the equation. Payment history accounts for 35% of your credit score — the single most influential factor. The program includes credit builder tools that report positive payment history to all three bureaus, systematically building the positive foundation your score needs alongside the removal of inaccurate negatives.
The 5-Step Credit Repair & Builder Process
1
Free Credit Consultation
Your credit goals are reviewed — whether preparing for a mortgage, recovering from debt settlement, or simply qualifying for better rates — and we assess which items on your report are actionable under the FCRA.
2
Full Three-Bureau Analysis
Complete reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are obtained and every item is reviewed for accuracy, verifiability, and compliance with FCRA reporting limits.
3
Dispute Filing
Formal disputes are sent to the relevant bureaus and data furnishers. The FCRA requires bureaus to investigate and respond within 30 days. Items that cannot be verified must be removed.
4
Follow-Up & Escalation
Responses are tracked across all three bureaus and escalated when items are not properly investigated or removed.
5
Credit Building
A credit builder tool is activated that reports positive payment history to all three bureaus — building the positive credit foundation your score needs to grow.
What Credit Repair & Builder Can and Cannot Do
- CAN: Remove inaccurate, unverifiable, or outdated negative items and inquiries from your credit reports (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)
- CAN: Challenge collection accounts, charge-offs, duplicate accounts, and identity theft items
- CAN: Remove items that exceed the FCRA’s 7-year reporting limit
- CAN: Build positive payment history through credit builder tools
- CANNOT: Remove accurate, verifiable negative information — no legitimate company can do this
- CANNOT: Guarantee a specific score increase — results depend on what is removed and built
Frequently Asked Questions
What is credit repair?
Credit repair is the process of reviewing your credit reports, identifying items that are inaccurate, unverifiable, or outdated, and formally disputing those items with the credit bureaus under your rights granted by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
How common are credit report errors?
Very common. A 2024 Consumer Reports study found 44% of participants found at least one error on their credit report. The Brookings Institution found that more than 1 in 5 consumers have a material error that makes them appear riskier than they actually are. The CFPB received nearly 5 million credit reporting complaints in 2025.
How long does credit repair take?
The FCRA gives bureaus 30 days to investigate disputes. Most clients see initial results within 60–90 days. Building sustained positive credit history typically takes 6 months or more for maximum score impact.
Can credit repair help after debt settlement?
Yes — and this is one of the most impactful times to pursue credit repair. Disputing inaccurately reported settled accounts and building new positive history accelerates score recovery. Many United Debt Relief clients run both programs simultaneously or sequentially.
Can I do credit repair myself?
You have the legal right to dispute items directly with bureaus. However, effective credit repair requires systematic tracking across three bureaus, proper dispute letter construction, and escalation knowledge when bureaus are unresponsive. The program provides all of this.
What credit bureaus does the program cover?
All three — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — simultaneously. Each bureau may contain different information and each must be addressed independently.
Does credit repair work for identity theft victims?
Yes. Identity theft victims often have fraudulent accounts, inquiries, and collections on their reports. The program addresses all of these, including fraud alerts and credit freezes where needed.
How much does credit repair cost?
Pricing is based on your specific situation and disclosed in full during your free consultation. There is no cost to speak with a specialist and review your credit profile.
What is a Credit Building Trade Line?
A Credit Building Trade Line is a credit account specifically designed to report positive payment history to all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Because payment history is the single most influential factor in your credit score (accounting for 35%), adding a trade line that consistently reports on-time payments builds the positive credit foundation your score needs. This is included in the Credit Repair & Builder program and runs simultaneously with the dispute process — so you are removing negatives and building positives at the same time.
How long do negative items stay on my credit report?
Most negative items — including late payments, charge-offs, and collection accounts — must be removed from your credit report after 7 years under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Bankruptcies may remain for up to 10 years. Hard inquiries typically fall off after 2 years. However, if a negative item is inaccurate, unverifiable, or outdated before that timeline, you have the legal right to dispute it immediately for removal regardless of age. The program identifies every item approaching or exceeding its legal reporting limit as part of the full three-bureau analysis.
What is the difference between credit repair and credit counseling?
Credit repair focuses on identifying and disputing inaccurate, unverifiable, or outdated negative items on your credit report under your rights granted by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). It directly targets what is on your report. Credit counseling is a financial advisory service that helps you create a budget and may enroll you in a Debt Management Plan (DMP) — a structured repayment arrangement with creditors. Credit counseling does not dispute credit report errors. Credit repair does not negotiate payment plans. Many consumers benefit from both at different stages of their financial recovery.