Your Credit History: The Foundation of Your Financial Life

Your credit history is your financial reputation. Every payment, balance, and loan tells your story to lenders, landlords, and even employers. Positive information like on-time payments and low balances strengthen your report — while missed payments and high debt can hold you back.

Negative marks usually stay on your report for seven years, and bankruptcies up to ten years. But over time, consistent good habits rebuild trust and creditworthiness.

Get Your Free Credit Reports

Under federal law, you can access all three of your credit reports — from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — for free every week at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Through 2026, Equifax is also offering six additional free reports per year. You can request them directly at Equifax.com or by calling 1-866-349-5191.

You may also qualify for extra free reports if you’re unemployed, on public assistance, or a victim of fraud. Staying informed helps you protect your score and your identity.

How to Fix Mistakes on Your Credit Report

If you find errors or outdated accounts on your report, take action immediately. You have the right to dispute any inaccurate information at no cost.

1. Get your credit reports from all three bureaus.
2. Identify inaccurate or outdated information.
3. Send dispute letters to the credit bureau and the company that reported the error.
4. Keep copies and monitor progress until corrected.

Once fixed, your score can rebound quickly — sometimes within a single reporting cycle.

Real Credit Repair Takes Time — But It Works

There are no shortcuts to lasting credit success. The real secret? Consistency.

• Pay bills on time, every time.
• Keep credit card balances below 30% of your limit.
• Pay down debts aggressively.
• Limit new credit inquiries.

These habits create long-term results that no “quick fix” service can match.

Need Help Managing Debt? Real Solutions Exist

If debt feels overwhelming, connect with a reputable credit counseling agency. Genuine professionals will review your full financial picture and design a personal plan — not sell empty promises. Trusted resources include credit unions, local universities, and non-profit financial programs.

Credit Repair Companies and Scams: What You Must Know

While some people hire credit repair companies to help file disputes, be cautious. Anything a company can do legally, you can do for yourself for free.

Under the Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA), legitimate companies must:

• Give you a written contract outlining all services.
• Provide a three-day right to cancel with no penalty.
• Clearly disclose costs, timelines, and expectations.
• Never charge upfront fees before services are delivered.

Red Flags of Credit Repair Scams

• They demand payment before any work is done.
• They tell you not to contact the credit bureaus directly.
• They ask you to dispute accurate information.
• They suggest creating a “new credit identity.”

If any of these apply — it’s a scam. Report it immediately to ReportFraud.ftc.gov, your state attorney general, or your state consumer protection office.

What To Do If You’ve Paid a Scammer

Scammers often ask for untraceable payments — crypto, wire transfers, or gift cards. Act fast. Visit ReportFraud.ftc.gov to learn how to report the scam and recover your funds.

The Superior Credit Repair Online® Promise

At Superior Credit Repair Online®, we don’t rely on gimmicks — we use proven, FCRA-compliant methods to help you rebuild your financial power. Our expert team assists you in disputing inaccuracies, building new lines of credit, and restoring financial confidence.

We combine knowledge, technology, and strategy to help you reclaim control of your credit and open doors to better rates, better opportunities, and a better life.