A reputable and professional credit repair company should have a few characteristics. There are also a few red flags that should cause you to turn around and flee.

The most important factor is what results in this best credit repair company has previously provided for their users. The longer a company has been in operation, the more reliable it is. It is also critical to ensure that the company you hire has credit attorneys on staff.

When you hire a service, they will often assign paralegals to work on your case; however, there are times when you will require an individual with a law degree to step in and take legal action. These lawyers will also be knowledgeable about consumer credit laws.

Cost is also an important consideration. Unfortunately, some shady services will try to charge you an arm and a leg for their services. We’ve also seen people arrested by the hour for credit repair assistance from attorneys. Instead, you should budget for a $100 initial fee and a $50 monthly fee.

If your report requires a significant amount of work, it may be worth getting a more aggressive plan, but you should still pay no more than $100 per month. On average, you should expect to require the service for 8 to 12 months.

If a potential company guarantees your results, this should be a red flag. There can be no guarantees, and if this is the case, do not hire them. Because there are so many variables involved in removing items from your credit history and improving your credit score, no legitimate service will guarantee results; instead, look for a refund policy.

Any new business in this industry should be approached with caution. In the past, some businesses used less than reputable or ethical methods to deceive credit bureaus. However, many services have been in operation for a long time and are even certified by the Better Business Bureau.

Many people seek professional assistance because when they file a dispute independently, credit bureaus respond with stall tactics. This frequently includes incorrect letters and delays.

The bureaus do not want to correct the information they have on file for you because doing so costs them money. Instead, they want you to become frustrated and give up on your case. In other words, the bureaus have no financial incentive to correct any information they have about you.

Despite this, Congress has given the bureaus the authority to decide which consumer complaints they investigate and which do not. This can only be due to significant business influence, as the bureaus generate billions of dollars in revenue each year and employ many lobbyists in Washington.

Don’t just live with a low credit score; take action today, either yourself or through a third party. Your credit score has never been more important or influential than it is today, especially in the aftermath of the recent economic downturn.