Space Shuttle Strategy | The Ultimate Credit Repair Guide

Credit repair is a handy task if done correctly, but a lot of users have no idea where to begin and what to do. Credit repair companies are expensive and slow, a few are also a scam, and self-credit repair requires knowledge about the industry and proper guidance.

Yes, there are a lot of guides on the internet, but somewhere I feel they are not in order, and most times, the readers are still left confused. This was when I questioned myself – What steps would I recommend to my audience to learn about credit repair, and how can they implement them in the right direction?

After studying dozens of experts and using all my credit repair awareness, I curated this guide – Space Shuttle Strategy.

The name sounds a little absurd for a credit repair guide, but trust me, it has a meaning that we will come across soon.

The Space Shuttle Strategy is an ideal credit repair guide that discusses a semantic and systematic way to remove negative items and boost your credit scores. It also discusses the easy way to analyze your credit reports and how you can generate effective dispute letters. 

You will also come across terms like Credit Freeze and disputing, which are important concepts of self-credit repair.

What is Space Shuttle Strategy? The Only Credit Repair Guide You Need

Space Shuttle Strategy is as simple as launching a multi-stage rocket into space; once you are on the horizon, you need to cut loose a few weights and give your rocket (credit score) a boost. 

Here, the weights in our Space Shuttle are late payments, debts, incorrect entries, and undisputed items; these have a major impact on our credit scores. So, in the first stage, we will get rid of these weights to help our credit scores get into an improvable space.

The process includes obtaining credit reports, analyzing them correctly, and eliminating anomalies by disputing them. 

The anomalies are negative items, closed accounts listed with pending payments, or wrong information, and these directly impact credit scores. In such a case, the debt might not be associated with your credit reports but still harm your credit score.

In the second stage, we will learn the best practices to keep improving your credit scores. The second stage is as crucial as the first one to ensure you are not in the credit trap again. For this, we will be discussing a few common mistakes to avoid and handy tips to follow. And with the second stage, our Space Rocket will get a credit boost and fly far into outer space.

[Stage 1] Disputing Negative Items

In stage 1 of the “Space Shuttle Strategy,” we will discuss how to get credit reports and FICO Scores, how to analyze them in the correct way, the Credit Freeze concept, and the disputing process. We will also discuss how you can write a dispute letter that actually works along with a template. Once the dispute letters are ready, we will discuss where you can send the dispute letters and what you can do after the investigation period.

Step 1. Reducing Anomalies

Before starting the credit dispute process and removing the anomalies, you must have your latest credit reports. Now, there are multiple ways you get access to your credit reports, and the most common way is to get one from each bureau (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion).

It can be, at times, confusing about where to get your credit report. Getting one from the associated bureau seems to be the most legitimate way, but it is expensive. Also, there are several imposter websites that might just scam you.

So, let me tell you the most prominent ways you can get your credit reports so you can start analyzing them.

How to Get Credit Reports? 

It is always recommended that you begin your credit repair with the latest credit reports. There are two benefits of doing so; the first benefit is you get all the old and latest negative items on the list that you can dispute together. The second benefit of working with the latest credit report is sometimes the negative items are removed or added, which we might not be aware of.

The only best way to get your free credit score is through the Annual Credit Report. This is the legitimate and only way to get the credit reports from all three credit bureaus (EquifaxTransUnion, and Experian). As per the law, you can get one copy of your credit report every 12 months from the Annual Credit Report website.

So, instead of going through the three bureaus, you can get your credit reports directly.

While this is a handy method, there are also a few other ways to get your credit reports, and in most of these cases, they are updated to the latest entries.


Other Ways to Get Credit Reports

No doubt, the annual credit report is the best way to get your credit reports. However, there are a few issues with it. For instance, you cannot find the latest changes for up to 12 months until you can get another copy of your credit report from the Annual Credit Report website.

In addition, there are a few more common issues with this method, like you don’t get to monitor your credit score, there is no FICO or VantageScore with your report, and there are several imposter websites just to trap you in.

So, in another method, we directly approach the credit bureaus and get our credit report associated with their bureau by signing up for one of their plans. Now, this is a costly approach, but you will probably get your latest credit reports every month or week, depending upon your subscription.

There is also a third method which is getting a third-party credit monitoring service that not provides you with the latest credit reports but also gives you access to their supported credit models (FICO, VantageScore, and more). If you are willing to opt for third-party credit monitoring services, myFICO and Credit Karma are two of the best options out there. No matter what free or paid service you use, always get the latest reports on your work desk before you start analyzing them. That is the ultimate requirement in the first place.

myFICO Credit Score Monitoring

Check FICO Scores
  • Monthly credit scores from all three bureau
  • Access to more than 30 types of FICO Scores
  • Goal-specific FICO Scores
  • Identity theft insurance included
  • Access to credit reports from all three bureaus

myFICO is my personal choice to recommend for credit monitoring. It allows you to choose from up to 30 FICO Scores depending on the package. Also, FICO Scores are widely used by most creditors as it is more convenient and gives clarity to their scoring model.

Let’s quickly see a brief on what FICO Scores are before heading to our next sub-section.

Also Read: What are Credit Scores? A Comprehensive Guide


What are FICO Scores, and How Do You Get Them?

FICO (Fair Isaac Corp) is a credit model like VantageScore or Credit Scores that helps you monitor your credit situation with 30+ kinds of FICO Scores. It is a three-digit score ranging from 300 to 850 points, and the higher the points, the easier it is to get loans or credit. Through these scores, creditors get a clear picture of your credit situation. 

FICO ScoreMeaning
800-850Exceptional
740-799Very Good
670-739Good
580-669Fair
300-579Very Poor

If your FICO score range is near 800 points, your credit situation is exceptional, and it is easier for you to obtain new loans. With such outstanding scores, creditors are assured that you are likely to timely repay their loan, ensuring their money is safe. On the contrary, if your scores are below 580, you need to repair your credit score as soon as possible to get new loans or build a good credit profile.

The most commonly used FICO Scores are FICO Score 8 and FICO Score 9 for credit assessments. However, with FICO Score 10, creditors can know about the credit risk in relation to the consumer. 

Each FICO Score gives different kinds of scores for different loan purposes. FICO has devised different kinds of loans for different purposes. Lenders, creditors, businesses, estates, and all other loan providers can use different FICO Scores that suit their kind of loan. And myFICO can help you get access to all of these 30+ FICO scores with multiple subscription plans.

Also Read: FICO Score vs Credit Score – Which is the Best Credit Model?

Now that we have our credit reports, the next step is to analyze your credit reports to find anomalies that are lowering your credit scores. But before that, let’s look at an important helpful concept related to your credit reports – Credit Freeze.


Credit Freeze

The credit Freeze option allows the consumer or the person associated with the credit history to freeze or restrict access to the credit reports. This is helpful when you find a lot of unrecognized entries in your credit reports which indicate identity theft.

It also indicates that your personal information is used to create new accounts without your authorization and can be used for unethical activities. Such activities can have a lot of consequences, and one of the major consequences is on your credit scores and credit reports; they are heavily impacted.

myFICO offers a $1Mn Identity theft insurance, which is helpful as the service will constantly monitor your identity for a data breach and protect it in all forms. And if there is an identity breach, as per their terms of service, you can avail $1Mn as compensation.

You can place and lift a Credit Freeze on your credit report for free. In addition, you can place a freeze on your own credit reports or for children below or younger than 16 years old that are related to you. You can learn more about it from the (usa.gov)


How to Place a Freeze on Your Credit Report?

You can place a freeze on your credit report respective to all the credit bureaus by online means, phone, mail, or any other way of contact.

Here are the contact details of all the credit bureaus (usa.gov) –

Experian

Online: Experian Freeze Center

Phone: 1-888-397-3742

By mail, write to:

Experian Security Freeze

P.O. Box 9554

Allen, TX 75013

Equifax

Online: Equifax Credit Report Services

Phone: 1-800-685-1111

By mail, write to:

Equifax Information Services LLC

P.O. Box 105788

Atlanta, GA 30348-5788

TransUnion

Online: TransUnion Credit Freezes

Phone: 1-888-909-8872

By mail, write to:

TransUnion LLC

P.O. Box 2000

Chester, PA 19016

Innovis

Online: Innovis Freeze Options

Phone: 1-800-540-2505

By mail, write to:

Innovis Consumer Assistance

P.O. Box 26

Pittsburgh, PA 15230-0026

The quickest way to place a Credit Freeze is through online means or by phone communication, and you can expect the freeze on the next business day. However, if you are placing a Credit Freeze through the mail, you can expect it by three business days after receiving the mail.


Step 2. Analyzing the Credit Reports

Now that we have our latest credit reports, what is the right way to Analyze them? What process should you follow, and in what order should it be done? I am sure you might be having a lot of questions as it is one of the crucial steps in the entire “Space Shuttle Strategy” or disputing credit entries in general.

Before you start analyzing your credit reports, ensure you have your complete attention. With most consumers, there can be a lot of fraudulent or inaccurate entries on their credit reports that directly or indirectly impact credit scores. It is crucial to get rid of all such entries to build a solid credit profile.

How to Analyse the Credit Reports in the Right Way?

When you look at your credit report, you can find a huge list of credit entries. And from this list, we will make groups of negative entries, such as closed accounts, inaccurate hard inquiries, and more, and then dispute them in the grouping order.

The aim of following this process is to make disputing easier in the later steps of the “Space Shuttle Strategy” and also to not miss out on any negative entry on your credit report that does not belong to you but affects your credit scores. 

We will start analyzing our credit reports by first verifying the personal information on each account or entry.

1. Verifying Personal Information

The sole reason why one should be verifying their personal information, such as name, address, and account details, is because some items on the list may not belong to you. Now, this is a common error on credit reports, and it is easier to identify these entries.

Suppose the address is wrong; you can dispute the bureaus by letting them know that this address does not belong to you, that you no longer live there, and the entry belongs to someone else. A lot of consumers miss out on this simple option, but this can be a huge credit risk to you. If someone else is applying for multiple credits or auto loans, or mortgages, the inquiries are placed on your credit report, which reduces your credit score.

In such a case, you can write a dispute letter to the credit bureau and let them know that the entry does not belong to you. As evidence, you can attach the utility bill from that period under your name with the dispute letter. This should be solid proof to state that the entry is incorrect and should be immediately removed from your credit report.

Similarly, if there are phone numbers, account details, misspelled names, SSN, wrong date of birth, or any other information that does not belong to you, they can be disputed as well. This is an important step to keep track of every disputable entry on your credit report. Disputing such incorrect entries should be helpful in improving your credit profile.

If you find easier sections that you can easily verify, complete those sections first. It will reduce the workload and make a systematic plan to work on analyzing the credit reports.


2. Analyzing the Closed Accounts

Closed accounts can also often lower your credit scores, and this is because they still have “pending payments” marked. Check if your credit report has such entries where you have closed your past account but still show a pending payment even after clearing them.

In such a case, highlight such entries as these can be disputed and removed from your credit reports. For this, you will need solid evidence that you have your account closed. We will attach these proofs with the debt verification or validation letters to credit bureaus and collection agencies to get the entries withdrawn.

You can also dispute closed accounts for misspelled names, incorrect account or personal details, non-matching payment dates, or incorrect account opening and closing details.

Note: The closed accounts that have incorrect information or huge charge-offs are to be disputed only. If your closed account does not have any charge-offs on your credit report, disputing it would bring no result.


3. Identifying Other Inaccurate Entries

We have completed the analysis of personal information and closed accounts; now, we can analyze other sections and entries. We suggest you start with the credit entries that you can easily complete, the ones you are sure are incorrect.

But how can you be sure? By evidence.

One of the advantages of credit disputing is you can always request the credit bureau agencies to remove an entry that cannot be proven.

While curating this guide, one of the tips that got us off-track and is not ethical, but many people follow is; if they cannot prove the debt is yours (though you know it is yours), it should be removed.

Identify inaccurate entries by going through the entire credit report. This should take some time, so hold tight and keep going. To make the process easier, you can use multiple highlighter pens to mark the incorrect entries that you are sure of or uncertain. These should help you in collecting proofs easily.

Once we have all the inaccurate and or unauthorized negative credit entries, let’s hop into our next step, disputing them.

You may also like to read,


Step 3. Disputing Process

Disputing is another crucial step when it comes to credit repair. Once you have your list of incorrect entries that you want to be removed from your credit reports, disputing comes into the picture. In this process, we will create a dispute letter and attach proof of why these entries should be removed. These letters are mailed to credit bureaus that investigate, and if found true, such entries will be drawn.

But the key is in writing the dispute letter that works. You cannot write an entire story or a 3-page to explain why you think the negative entry does not belong to your credit report.

Your dispute letter needs to be to the point, should have your identity verification and copies of all the evidence attached to it, and should be sent to the correct credit bureau for investigation.

Ensure you have attached verifiable identity proof with your dispute letter. The credit bureaus will not check for negative or fraudulent items on your credit report unless they are sure of your identity.

List of Identity Proofs to Attach with your Dispute Letter –

  • All three recently updated credit reports (You can get them with myFICO)
  • Copy of your Social Security Card
  • State-issued identity card (Ex: Drivers License)
  • Utility bills with matching names and addresses
  • Birth Certificate
  • Passport with a clear picture and matching details (non-tampered)
  • Tax document with your SSN
  • Rental agreement or mortgage contract with matching name and address

One copy of each will be attached to the dispute letter and sent to all three credit bureaus. So, three copies with three letters are to be prepared. You can miss out on a few from this list, but the more proofs, the stronger your case is.

Writing a Dispute Letter

It is simple and easy to write a dispute letter, but there are a few mistakes that most people make. For instance, beating around the bush before you mention the negative entries or writing a huge story as to why you think the negative entry does not belong to you.

It is simple: Keep your dispute letter short. 

Here is what your dispute letters to creditors or bureaus should have,

  • Affective date
  • Name of the Company / Creditor
  • Address of the creditor
  • Personal information (Name, Account Number, Address)
  • Opening salutation
  • Subject
  • Description of Error in brief (better if listed)
  • Any reasonable and valid points that support your statement.
  • Supporting documents attached
  • Asking creditors to remove the negative entries as per fair debt collection practice.
  • Closing salutation

You can read some of our helpful dispute guides to make writing dispute letters easier,


Sample Dispute Letter Template

[Your Name] 

[Your Address] 

[Phone Number] 

Date: 

Subject: Dispute of negative items as per the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Section 609 

Dear Credit Reporting Agency (Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax), 

I am exercising my right under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Section 609, to request information regarding an item that is listed on my consumer credit report: ABC Collection Agency, account number 0123456789. 

As per Section 609, I am entitled to see the source of information, which is the original contract that contains my signature. 

My identifying information is as follows: 

Date of Birth:  

SSN:  

[If you have a lawyer, state that you have legal representation and provide that person’s contact information] 

As proof of my identity, I have included copies of my birth certificate, Social Security card, passport, driver’s license, W-2, rental agreement, and cellphone bill. I have also included a copy of my credit report with the account I am requesting to have verified circled and highlighted. 

If you are unable to verify the account with the original contract, the information should be removed from my credit report within 30 days. 

Sincerely, 

[Signature]

Dispute letter reference template: Experian

If incorrect information exists on two or all three credit reports, you need to send individual letters to each credit bureau. Selecting disputes and then writing an individual letter to one or more credit bureaus is hectic, especially when you have tens of items to be disputed. This is where DisputeBee cuts it down to 5 minutes or less work. 


Using DisputeBee for Writing Disputing Letters

Writing a dispute letter is easy, but you need to know what you can include. Besides, if there are several items to dispute and each time you need to write an individual dispute letter to each credit bureau, it becomes a tedious process.

DisputeBee writes a credit dispute letter for you with its pre-intelligent letter suggester. It can be used to create bulk letters or individual letters.

The process is simple,

  • You upload your credit reports from all three credit bureaus
  • Analyze credit reports
  • Select the negative items
  • Generate dispute letters

It can also merge all the negative items that belong to a credit bureau (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) in a single letter. This makes the process much faster, and all the disputes are resolved using a single letter respective to the credit bureau.

You can learn more about this credit repair tool with our detailed reviews on DisputeBee.

DisputeBee Overview

  • Create unlimited clients
  • Advanced dispute strategies
  • Unlimited team member accounts
  • Generate and print dispute letters in bulk
  • Custom letter templates and sequences
  • E-contract integration
  • Client Portal
  • Zapier integration
  • Intelligent letter suggester tool
Overall Rating:
4 star rating
4 star rating
4 star rating
4 star rating

DisputeBee is an automated credit repair software that helps you create and track dispute letters. It is available for both individuals and professional services, such as starting a credit repair business.

Overall, the tool is a perfect addition to starting a credit repair business with the right set of business integrations such as billing, client portals, unlimited clients and team accounts, custom templates, and more. Though the price is a little high given the features and requires an additional subscription to IdentityIQ, you can also opt for other competitive options, such as Credit Repair Cloud.

Pros
  • Support all three bureaus
  • Intelligent letter suggester
  • Automated dispute letter
  • Create disputes with bureaus and collectors for inquiries, collections, late payments, and more
  • Easy cancellation and refund
Cons
  • A little costly
  • Needs IdentityIQ subscription
  • No other way to import credit reports other than IdentityIQ
  • Could have more business tools

Where to Send Credit Dispute Letter?

Once your dispute letters are ready, we need to mail them to respective credit bureaus, and this can be done either by online mailing services or standard offline mail services like USPS.

When you send the dispute letter through a standard mail service, you get a notification when the mail is delivered to credit bureau agencies. From the delivery date, you can keep a count of 30 days, within which the credit bureau needs to investigate the credit reports. In certain cases, the number of days can also range up to 45 days.

You can post the credit dispute letters to the following addresses –

Experian

P.O. Box 4500

Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion Consumer Solutions

P.O. Box 2000

Chester, PA 19016-2000

Equifax

P.O. Box 740241

Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Send your dispute letter only to the associated credit bureau, and keep a copy of the dispute letter and evidence with you for future reference.

Also Read: How Often Are Credit Scores Updated?

Important tip: Do not sign your dispute letters; always print your name or paste your name on the dispute letter but never sign it. This is because the letters are then forwarded to multiple collection agencies or creditors with faulty entries on your credit report. So, printing your name or using a digital signature is one of the best options.


After the 30-Day Period? What’s Next?

Once the 30 days period is over, recheck your credit reports and verify if the negative items are removed. In the meantime, also check your mailbox for any response from the credit bureaus regarding the status of the credit dispute.

If your dispute letter did not get the response you expected, try sending them another dispute letter.

Try again, again, and again!!

The dispute letter and process will never work in a single go. Keep trying if you don’t see any changes in your credit reports, even after attaching supporting proof. Send credit bureaus dispute letters a couple of times and see if they remove the negative entry.

I see no changes in my credit report after the dispute and enough proof; what should I do next?

If you have enough supporting documents for the credit dispute and the credit bureau did not make any changes to your credit reports, hire a credit repair professional like a credit attorney.

Your attorney shall look into the process legally, and after a legal process, your dispute should be removed from the credit report if it is inaccurate. This is the last manual work you can do from your end.


[Stage 2] Boosting the Space Shuttle

In the first step of the “Space Shuttle Strategy,” we fixed our credit scores by disputing negative and inconsistent items. Disputing and removing items surely helped us lose some weight from our credit scores and prepare it for a boost. In the second stage of this strategy, we will look at how we can boost our credit scores with best practices and actionable tips.

A good credit score is helpful in easy loans and lowers interest rates and overall good credit status or profile. Once you have a good credit score, you need to pay more attention than before to your credit reports to maintain those scores or constantly keep improving them.

Benefits of a Good Credit Score

There are several benefits of a good credit score; here are a few noticeable ones:

  • Easy renting of an apartment.
  • Best interest rates on cars, home loans, and homeowners insurance
  • Get quick loan approvals.
  • Best rewards on credit cards.
  • Negotiation on loan interests.
  • Increase credit limit.
  • Better insurance rates.

Good credit scores also let you negotiate on loan interests. So, if a creditor or a lender is charging you a higher interest rate, you can negotiate the interest or check with lenders that offer lesser interest rates. Usually, creditors charge a lesser interest rate on loans if you have a good credit score; if they do not, they always negotiate. It works.

On the contrary, if your credit score is poor, it is hard to secure a loan, and if you somehow manage to get the loan, the interest rate will always be higher.


How to Improve Credit Scores? Let’s Give Our Credit Scores a Boost. 

There are some quick ways to improve your credit scores, but there is only one guru mantra to keep your credit score high; always pay your bills on time.

improve your credit score

In this section, we will give our Space Shuttle a boost by using a few simple hacks and techniques. In the later sections, we will discuss the best practices to keep your credit score up.

Here is the list of things you can do to boost your credit score –

1. Know Your Credit Situation

The first and most important step is to know your credit situation. Get your latest credit reports, keep track of all the credit-related information, and analyze your credit reports frequently.

Credit reports can be obtained from the annual credit report once every 12 months for free. However, we need to keep track of our credit situation, and we will need a regularly updated credit report. In such cases, you can either get your credit reports from respective credit bureaus or use services like myFICO.

Once you have your credit reports, keep looking for inaccurate or incorrect entries or entries that do not belong to you. If you find them, dispute them as soon as possible to keep your credit reports clean. However, disputing is a long and time-taking process.


2. Dispute Error on Your Credit Reports

When there are errors on your credit reports, as per section 609, you can dispute incorrect information to credit bureaus. When you dispute a negative item, such as debt, that does not belong to you, it removes the negative impact and gives your credit score a boost.

What to do if you find inaccuracies in your credit report? Here are a few things you can do,

A. Know the source: 

Credit reports mention which credit bureau is related to an entry. So if you have a negative item to dispute, you know where to send the dispute letter.

Sending dispute letters to other credit bureaus that are not related to the entry is unworthy and a waste of time, as they cannot do anything about it.

B. 609 Dispute Letter:

Now that you have figured out which bureau is responsible for the inaccuracy, we can mail them a 609 dispute letter with proofs as an attachment to the bureau’s address. 

This dispute cannot ensure a deletion but allows a thorough recheck by the dedicated bureaucrats. In most cases, when the entry is incorrect and inaccurate, you may find it quickly removed from your credit report.

C. Wait for the response:

Once you have sent the mail, wait for the response, this can usually take up to a month. If there are any inaccuracies in your credit report, they will be deleted, and this also increases your credit score.

However, in a few cases, you may not find any action on the incorrect inquiry or credit entry. In such a case, it is best to follow up a couple of times with dispute letters.

D. Contact:

If there is no response to your dispute, you can follow up with the bureaucrats or submit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In critical situations, you can also take the help of a consumer protection attorney or a credit attorney to take the matter into legal hands.


3. Pay Smaller Debts First

In our opinion, clearing smaller debts first is a good step to improving your credit scores.

There are two advantages of doing this; the first is you can constantly see an increase in your credit score because the debts are being paid. 

The second advantage is the smaller debts are easy to pay and can open new doors for you. So, you can take a new loan at lower interest rates and pay huge debts off. Or start a new stream of income with it to bring your credit situation to normalcy.

Arguably, taking a new loan is adding up another credit on your report. However, this is the credit that you are using for clearing huge debts at lower interest rates. It is best to take such loans in smaller portions to not see any major negative impact on credit scores.


4. Paying on Time is the Ultimate Factor

If you want to fix your credit score, paying on time is the biggest factor. When you fail to pay on time, the debt increases as the interest increase; Besides, the credit score is directly impacted as your profile constantly mentions late payments.

It is important to sort out the bills that need to be paid quickly and then pay them accordingly. To do this without missing any debt, you need to make a quick list of the nearest debts that are to be paid off.

Make a list of debts with higher interest rates and smaller amounts. These are possibly those loans that you have taken on a bad credit score. Often, creditors charge higher interest rates when you have a bad credit score.

Once the list is made, look for the debts that are close to being defaulted. Pay off such debts as quickly as you can and checkmark them. This way, you will never miss out on timely debt payments on your credit report.


5. Set the Right Credit Limit

Your credit card limit is one of the most important factors that credit bureaus consider while analyzing your credit report. But did you know creditors also look at how you spend your credit limits?

This is because the credit bureaus calculate your credit reports in percentages or ratios. And if you are spending huge amounts or bigger chunks of your credit limit, it can be a sign of bad personal spending habits. As per most experts, it is best to only spend 30% of your credit limit, which leaves a positive impact on your credit profile.

Let’s see this with an example. 

Suppose your credit card limit is $1500, and you only spend $500 in the month. When you calculate the ratio, the percentage roughly falls to 33%, which is great for your credit report. 

Calculation: (500/1500)x100 = 33.33%

On the other hand, if your credit card limit is $1000 and you spend the same amount($500), you are almost spending 50% of your credit limit; this can make a negative impact on your credit profile. 

Calculation: (500/1000)x100 = 50% 

The best practice is to know your expenditure and set the right limit on your credit card. So you are most times under the 30% ratio, which is a good way to keep your future creditors in confidence.


6. Credit Builder Loan

A credit builder loan is a type of loan available for consumers with poor credit profiles to improve their credit scores. In this loan, the money sits in the savings account, and in the meantime, you still need to pay the interest beforehand. At the end of the loan term, the money can be drawn and utilized for various purposes.

Credit builder loan helps you to improve your credit score as the lender reports on-time payments. As said by Experian, this is one of the best ways to improve the credit score as the payments are timely reported. Also, at the end of the term, you get access to the money, and you can utilize it to pay off the debts or start a stream of income which can generate more flow for you.


7. Add an Authorised User to your Credit Report

Adding an authorized user to your credit report will give an instant boost to your credit score. Suppose your spouse has a credit score or FICO score above 750 or 800; adding your spouse to your credit as an authorized user will merge both the credits, and you can see an instant rise in your credit score.

This is a super-fast way to boost some points on your credit score.

But do not add an authorized user to your credit score who has a poor credit profile. This will not make any noticeable positive impact and will rather cause more damage.


8. Maintaining a Long Credit History

Maintaining a long credit history is advantageous for credit scores due to several key reasons. Firstly, it demonstrates responsible credit behavior by showcasing your track record of managing credit accounts and making timely payments over time. This establishes a positive credit reputation and signals to lenders that you are a reliable borrower.

Secondly, a long credit history indicates stability and reliability, which are qualities lenders prefer in potential borrowers. By showcasing your ability to handle credit responsibly over an extended period, you reduce the perceived risk associated with lending to you.

Lastly, a long credit history positively affects factors that contribute to credit scores. It increases the average age of your credit accounts, which is viewed favorably by lenders and credit scoring models. 

In addition, it allows for a higher total credit limit across your accounts, resulting in a lower credit utilization ratio when you maintain low balances. These factors, along with a good credit profile, enhance your creditworthiness and improve your credit scores over time.

Overall, a long credit history demonstrates your creditworthiness, stability, and responsible credit management, leading to better credit scores and increased chances of obtaining favorable loan terms in the future.


9. Have an Emergency Fund

Emergency funds are the best way to keep yourself safe in times of bad credit situations. I personally follow this and keep certain savings for an emergency, investments, and medical purposes.

Each month doesn’t matter how big or small the amount is; keep a bite of it for an emergency, investments, and medical funds. In this way, you will always have some money in your reserve to keep you going in tough situations.


Starting a Credit Repair Business

Now that we have come to a conclusion of this informative and huge “Space Shuttle Strategy,” what’s next? The guide helps you with how you can repair your credit scores on your own, and using the same strategies, you can start a side gig to run your very own DIY credit repair business and help others.

Best Credit Repair Software

Credit Repair Cloud is one of the best tools to start a credit repair business or improve your credit scores. It is an industry-dominant and growing company that helps entrepreneurs start their credit repair businesses. It offers software, systems, and strategies to start your own credit repair business.

Starting a credit repair business is a no difficult task, but it is best to learn all the ethical practices first. For instance, not charging your clients beforehand or advance fees or violating other laws such as TSR. Do thorough research and all the ethical practices, and you can start your own credit repair business. It’s important to familiarize yourself with legal regulations such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) when conducting the self-credit repair.

Also Read: DisputeBee vs Credit Repair Cloud – Which is the Best Credit Repair Business Tool?

To help you out in managing your credit repair business, you can also check my list of credit repair business software kit. These not only make it easier for you to manage your clients but also automates most of the process.

Here is a quick mention of these tools,

Credit Repair Cloud

Best Credit Repair Software

DisputeBee

disputebee reviews

myFICO

Check FICO Scores

Credit Hero Course

Credit Repair Training Book

Frequently Asked Questions on Self-Credit Repair using The Space Shuttle Strategy

What is self credit repair?

Self-credit repair refers to the process of improving your credit score and repairing your credit history without hiring a professional.

Are there any specific steps or strategies to follow for self-credit repair?

Yes, there are specific steps and strategies to follow for self-credit repairs, such as reviewing your credit reports, disputing errors, paying off debts, and establishing positive credit habits. You can find it systematically presented in the “Space Shuttle Strategy.”

What information should I include in a dispute letter?

In a dispute letter, you should include your personal information (name, address, and social security number), a clear identification of the item you are disputing, a detailed explanation of the reason for the dispute, and any supporting documentation or evidence you have to substantiate your claim.

How should I format and structure my dispute letter?

When formatting and structuring your dispute letter, it is important to be clear, concise, and professional. Start with a formal salutation, provide a brief introduction, clearly state the items you are disputing, explain the reasons for your dispute, and request that the credit bureau investigate and correct the errors or inaccuracies. Finally, include your contact information and sign the letter.

Can I dispute multiple items in a single dispute letter, or should I send separate letters for each item?

It is generally recommended to send separate dispute letters for each item you wish to dispute on your credit report. By doing so, you can provide specific details and arguments for each item individually, increasing your chances of a successful resolution. Sending separate letters helps prevent confusion and ensures that each dispute is appropriately addressed.

Is it possible to improve my credit score if I have a history of late payments or delinquencies?

Yes, it is possible to improve your credit score even if you have a history of late payments or delinquencies. By consistently making on-time payments moving forward, you can demonstrate positive credit behavior and gradually improve your score.

Ashutosh
Ashutosh

Hi, this is Ashutosh - I am the creator of the "Space Shuttle Strategy" and most credit repair guides on this website. I love talking about finance, credit repair, and business tools, and I share my ideas through guided and helpful articles which can help you make a difference. Some people also call me Jr. Nikola Tesla, as I love creating new ideas and bringing change, and my ideas do stick.

I also love talking about Crypto and they are the next digital assets that are going to make our lives much easier.

If there is anything I can help you with, you can get in touch with me through my LinkedIn or Twitter handle.