Last Updated: October 22, 2026
Quick Summary
No credit repair company can offer a credit repair guarantee for a specific score increase. Federal law prohibits promising exact score boosts, but legitimate companies can dispute inaccurate information on your report, which may improve your score over time.
- Credit repair companies cannot guarantee specific score increases or remove accurate negative information
- Disputing inaccurate items is free and you can do it yourself without paying a company
- Most disputes take 30 to 90 days, with the bureau having 30 days to investigate each item
- Any company charging upfront fees before disputing items violates federal law
- Professional credit repair saves time and increases success rates compared to self-filing disputes
Table of Contents
- What Credit Repair Companies Can and Cannot Guarantee
- How Long Does Credit Repair Take to Show Results
- Dispute Inaccurate Information on Your Credit Report
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Credit Repair Companies Can and Cannot Guarantee
Credit repair companies cannot offer a credit repair guarantee for a specific increase in your credit score. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s guidance on credit repair, no company can promise a specific score boost or guarantee results. What they CAN do is dispute inaccurate or outdated information on your credit report, that’s the real value. A company promising “we’ll raise your score 100 points in 90 days” is breaking federal law.
They CAN dispute inaccurate items, request verification from creditors and bureaus, and educate you on your rights. They CANNOT guarantee a specific score increase, remove accurate negative information, or charge upfront fees.
Any company charging upfront before disputing items violates federal law. Legitimate services work first, then collect payment.
How Long Does Credit Repair Take to Show Results
Most people see changes within 30 to 90 days, but some disputes take longer. The bureau has 30 days to investigate and must remove anything it can’t verify, though disputes often take multiple rounds when creditors confirm items as accurate. The average dispute takes 45 to 60 days per item, so five disputed items means several months of work.
Track every dispute you file. Keep copies of letters, response dates, and outcomes to protect yourself and see what’s working.
Dispute Inaccurate Information on Your Credit Report
Disputing inaccurate information is the core of credit repair. Start by getting your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com, the official government site, then review each item for accounts you don’t recognize, late payments that aren’t yours, closed accounts still showing as open, wrong payment amounts or dates, and duplicate entries. File a dispute with the bureau or a professional; the creditor must verify within 30 days, and unverified items get removed.
Disputing inaccurate information is free and you don’t need a company. But professional help saves time and increases success rates, especially for complex disputes.
For New Orleans residents working on business credit, the process is the same.
| Dispute Method | Time Required | Success Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-filing | 5-10 hours per dispute | Varies | Free |
| Professional service | Minimal your time | Higher | Service fee |
| DIY with guidance | 3-5 hours per dispute | Moderate | Free |
Credit repair isn’t magic, but it works. Removing inaccurate information from your report can lower interest rates and open doors you thought were closed, that’s the real credit repair guarantee. If you’re ready to reclaim your financial freedom and explore how professional credit repair can help you achieve your goals, learn more about credit repair services and your rights. At Honore Credit, we focus on your dreams, not just your score. Get started with The Credit Approval Plan and discover what’s actually possible for your financial future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a credit repair company guarantee a credit score increase?
No. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explicitly states that no company can guarantee a specific credit score increase or promise results. Credit repair can help address inaccurate or outdated items on your report, but whether your score rises depends on many factors beyond any company’s control, including your payment history and credit utilization. Legitimate companies will never promise a guaranteed number.
How long does credit repair take to show results?
The timeline varies widely. Disputing inaccurate information typically takes 30 to 45 days per dispute cycle, but resolving multiple items can take several months. Some consumers see modest improvements within 60 to 90 days if inaccuracies are removed quickly. Others may need 6 months to a year of consistent work. Results depend on how many items are disputed, how quickly bureaus respond, and what changes you make to your credit behavior.
What are red flags that indicate a credit repair company is a scam?
Avoid companies that guarantee specific score increases, ask you to pay upfront before services begin, tell you to dispute accurate negative information, claim they can remove accurate accounts, or pressure you to sign without reviewing contracts. Legitimate services explain what they can legally do, charge fees only after work starts, and never promise outcomes. Ask for references and verify licensing before hiring any company.
Can I dispute inaccurate information on my credit report myself?
Yes, you can dispute errors directly with the credit bureaus or the creditor reporting the information. You have the right to dispute any item you believe is inaccurate under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Many people successfully handle disputes on their own by sending written disputes with supporting documentation. A credit repair company’s main advantage is experience navigating the process and persistence, but the legal right to dispute belongs to you.