How to Fix Your Credit in Dallas, Texas

Many local resources are available for credit repair in Dallas, Texas. Getting legal and ethical advice from a local source could help you improve your credit. That advice should not come from a for-profit credit repair firm, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC, according to its website, has sought legal action against some Dallas credit repair firms promising to remove negative information from credit reports that is accurate and timely. The FTC says accurate information cannot be removed until it expires -- a minimum of seven years.

Instructions

1

Locate a credit counselor in Dallas approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The counselors are knowledgeable about all legal and ethical methods for repairing credit. HUD-approved counselors in Dallas include Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas, Dallas County Community Action Action Committee, Dallas County Home Loan Counseling Center and Jordan Community Development Corporation. Many services provided by Dallas credit counselors are free.

2

Review your credit report with your Texas-based credit counselor. Get a copy of your credit report for free from AnnualCreditReport.com. This website is authorized by the Federal Trade Commission to offer free reports under the terms of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Ask the counselor to point out negative information that could be hurting your credit, including accounts that are past due and accounts that have been closed and assigned to debt collection agencies.

3

Make payments to bring all your open accounts current. Also resolve any old delinquent accounts. Improve your credit as you make on-time payments each month while reducing your debt. Also ask the credit counselor for tips on avoiding credit problems again. Ask specifically about free financial literacy classes in Dallas and free foreclosure avoidance workshops if you are a homeowner.