Frequently Asked Questions
Potential Members:
1. How do I choose the right credit restoration company that best suits my needs?
As the consumer, you should be very selective when choosing a credit restoration company. People tend to make their decision based on price. But as in most cases, it is important to realize that you'll get what you pay for. Credit repair companies have a stigma for a reason. And, as the saying goes, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is. There are companies in the business that will take your money and run while leaving you in the same predicament as when you started. There are also companies that will charge a nominal, one-time or seemingly reasonable monthly fee to repair your credit and then deliver little or no results, or even worse, further damage your credit. Not all companies are irresponsible and unreliable. Some will charge a small fee and perform a basic level of service that may or may not provide the results you are looking to achieve, but are inexpensive and somewhat reliable. Then there is Credit Restoration Bureau. Unlike most companies, CRB is staffed by subject matter experts in the field of credit restoration, supported by a leading law firm. We incessantly go the extra mile to provide our members with more than reasonable fees, remarkable customer service and most importantly, optimal results. Do not let your decision to choose a credit restoration company be an impulsive one. The choice has the potential to be one of the best investments you could possibly make. On the other hand, an uneducated choice could scar your credit report for life.
2. Why is it important to choose a credit restoration company that employs the services of a law firm?
In order to best represent the client and protect their rights as a consumer, it is essential to have the assistance of an attorney on hand at all times. You have the right to obtain assistance from anyone when attempting to repair your credit. You may even attempt to do it yourself. But it is important to understand that it is possible to make your credit situation worse. When choosing a company to assist you in repairing your credit it is imperative to choose a company that thoroughly understands credit and the laws affecting your situation and your rights as a consumer. Credit restoration companies that do not employ the services of an attorney will most likely provide limited results. In order to obtain optimal results you must retain the services of a credit restoration company that employs the services of a law firm.
3. Can I restore my own credit?
The Federal Trade Commission requires all credit restoration companies to provide their clients/members with a copy of their Consumer Rights. One of those rights provided by the FTC is the ability to personally dispute items on your credit report. It is crucial to thoroughly understand the laws involved. They include the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Credit Billing Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act. These laws were put in place in order to prevent identity theft, to improve resolution of consumer disputes, improve the accuracy of consumer records, make improvements in the use of and consumer access to credit information, and for other purposes. There is also a very specific format required by the credit bureaus that must be followed in order for any dispute to be considered legitimate. Unfortunately, if you are unaware of how to properly format and submit your disputes, the bureaus can simply deny your claim. Beyond that, it is imperative that you understand the bureaus' response to your dispute and properly reply based on the results provided and the appropriate laws involved. Even though it is possible to do all this on your own, most people choose to use a professional service because the credit restoration process is so extensive and complicated.
4. Why would I need the services of Credit Restoration Bureau?
Our list of members is exceptionally diverse and their credit scores range from one extreme to the other. On one hand, we have members that have a multi-million dollar net worth and choose to have experts monitor their credit and protect their rights on a full-time basis. On the other hand, we have members that have filed for bankruptcy, have lost a home through foreclosure, or have judgments listed on their credit and require our expertise. Many people throw thousands of dollars away every year by not having the best possible interest rates. No matter how great your credit, you will find that your interest rate can always be lower and your credit score can always be higher. Regardless of how excellent or poor your credit score may be, it's always beneficial to have CRB on your side.
5. How can Credit Restoration Bureau improve my credit rating?
Every item listed on your credit report plays a role in your credit score. Credit Restoration Bureau guides our members to achieve optimal credit. All of the following situations have a negative effect on your personal credit file:
- Late Payments
- Collections
- Charge-offs
- Excessive: Inquiries, AKAs, Addresses, Employment, Revolving Accounts
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- Tax Liens
- Civil Liens
- Foreclosures
- Child Support
- Repossessions
6. How do I start the credit repair process?
The first step is to pick up the phone and call us at 757-351-1111 or 888-342-6758. You'll have the opportunity to speak with one of our certified credit counselors about your situation and they will guide you accordingly.
7. How do I schedule a free consultation?
You may either contact us via phone at 757.351.1111 or 888-342-6758 or; click here and send us an email.
8. What will my membership period be?
That really depends on your credit situation. Credit Restoration Bureau currently offers its members two different membership options. Our Premium membership is twelve months long and is suitable for almost everyone. Our Premium Plus membership is six months in duration and is designed to assist consumers faced with extremely unique credit repair circumstances.
9. How much do the CRB credit repair memberships cost?
We understand that not all consumers require the same amount of customization when it comes to credit report repair. Our experts will advise you as to which one will best suit your needs to obtain an accurate and fair credit report. Our most popular option is our Premium Membership. Our more elite and robust membership is Premium Plus. With either option you can rest assure that it will get you where you need to be.
CRB "Premium" Membership:
Considering the cost of high interest rates and bad credit, our 12 month Premium membership program is extremely affordable priced at $79 a month with a setup fee of $129. With its reasonable price, broad range of capabilities and high success rate, it is the option chosen by the majority of our clients. During your time as a Premium Member you will receive top of the industry results and stellar client services. Many of our clients see great results within the first 90 days. To obtain these results we employ our proven system of identifying each questionable item on your credit report and applying strict federal laws to ensure they are removed if not accurate. During your membership you will have access to toll free customer support and your own 24/7 website login displaying your current credit report dispute status.
CRB "Premium Plus" Membership:
For consumers with unique credit situations that require a special level of customization, CRB offers the Premium Plus Membership. This program is the credit report repair industry leader when it comes to results delivered and custom service. This option is an all inclusive, 6 month membership program and allows you to access all of CRB's resources in the realm of credit. Premium Plus Memberships are customized to fit the specific needs of each individual client and because of this high level of attention and customization, the membership fees will vary from one client to the next. To find out if the Premium Plus membership program is right for you call us now at 888-342-6758.
10. What is the difference between debt management and credit repair?
Just as there are many unscrupulous credit repair organizations, there are also many unreliable debt management services. A debt management service offers a "systematic plan to repay debt," in which you pay one monthly fee to an agency and they distribute the funds to your creditors. Although your debt will eventually be paid, it will still have a negative effect on your credit report as it will almost certainly state that you did in fact settle your accounts but did not pay them in full. Please remember that debt management companies are intended to help the consumer satisfy debt, but are not staffed with experts in the field of credit or legal professionals well versed in the laws protecting your consumer rights. Although it might be in your best interest to use the services of a debt management company, it is very important to understand the difference between the two. Please keep in mind that CRB offers a free consultation and will be more than happy to discuss your particular situation and the pros and cons of choosing either service. Not everyone is in the financial position to obtain the services of a reputable credit restoration company. Until you are able to meet your monthly financial obligations it would not be in your best interest and irresponsible for any credit repair organization to take you on as a client.
13. If I pay off my collections and charge-off accounts will they come off my credit report and improve my score?
Paying off your collection and charge-off accounts may or may not satisfy the debt. It will not however, remove the negative item from your credit report. Most likely, paying off the debt will reactivate the date of last activity and cause a new collection to appear on your credit report, thus dramatically reducing your credit score. It is understandable for you as a consumer to feel morally responsible and to have the desire to resolve the issue by satisfying the debt. But it is important for you satisfy the debt and benefit yourself in return. CRB can assist you in satisfying the debt while ensuring your credit report is not affected in a negative manner thus, improving your credit score.
14. How long will negative items stay on my credit report?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act allows for most derogatory items to be reported on the consumer's credit report for up to seven years. In most cases, bankruptcies can be reported for up to 10 years. Inquiries are usually reported for up to two years. Extensive previous employment and address data can also negatively affect your score and are reported for an indefinite period.
15. What if a deleted credit item reappears on my credit report?
It is a very extensive process for an item to be re-reported on your credit report. In the unlikely event that this may occur, CRB will do everything possible to ensure your rights as a consumer are not violated. There are rigorous guidelines that must be met in order for an item to be re-reported. After researching the item, it is not uncommon for CRB to find it has been re-reported illegally. At that point CRB's legal experts will work to have it removed and blocked permanently from your credit report.
Current Members:
1. Should I respond to any documents I receive in the mail?
It is imperative that you DO NOT respond to any documents sent to you by any of the credit bureaus or collection agencies. Please forward all correspondence to CRB within 48 hours of receipt.
2. What should I do with the documents I receive from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion?
Repairing your credit is an extremely time sensitive process and for that reason it is imperative that you forward all correspondence from the three credit bureaus within 48 hours of receipt.
3. What should I do with the correspondence I receive from collection agencies?
Once again, as repairing your credit is an extremely time sensitive process it is imperative that you forward all correspondence from any collection agency within 48 hours of receipt.
4. How do I know which papers to send in?
It is essential to send in all of the documents you receive from the three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. It is also important to send in any collection letters that you receive. If you are ever unsure of what to send in, please contact CRB immediately.
5. How should I send my correspondence to CRB?
You can mail, e-mail, fax or hand deliver your correspondence. It is extremely important to ensure that your correspondence is legible and in the correct order. Ensuring your documents are legible and in the correct order allow us to be efficient while keeping your personal file accurate.
You can mail, e-mail, fax, or hand deliver your correspondence.
Mail or hand deliver your correspondence to:
4705 Columbus Street, Suite 303
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Email your correspondence to:
processing@creditrestorationbureau.com
Fax your correspondence to:
1.800.675.5075
6. What should I do if a collection company calls me?
Speaking to someone from a collection agency can be very detrimental to your credit restoration process. If you are contacted by phone it is extremely important that you take the necessary information from the individual on the phone and end the conversation as soon as possible.
7. Why should I not speak to a collection agency over the phone?
First, you do not have to speak to anyone from a collection agency over the phone and doing so will most likely create more setbacks to your credit restoration process. It is important that you inform CRB if you are receiving harassing phone calls from collection agencies. We can bring a stop to the harassing phone calls and force the collection agencies to work with you in a more reasonable fashion. More importantly, we can assist you in removing old collection accounts from your credit report and even prevent new ones from appearing.
8. Can I apply for new credit cards during my CRB membership?
It may or may not be in your best interest to apply for new credit during the credit restoration process. It is important that you contact CRB before doing so. Each of our members has a unique credit situation and for that reason we recommend you contact CRB to discuss how applying for new credit might possibly affect your situation. Keep in mind that each inquiry can negatively affect your credit score between 2 and 6 points. In certain circumstances, applying for new credit at the wrong time can be a deal killer for such transactions as purchasing a home. Call us with your questions. We're here to help.
