Cleaning up/rebuilding credit reports?

[disneyrn]

We were discharged today 8/22/12!! And I want to start cleaning up our credit reports. Last month I signed up with Costco identity guard for unlimited use of the 3 credit reporting companies.

I looked through the stickies and some are old from 2011 and not sure if there still helpful or not?

1. I've heard of credit report companies that can help clean up your reports ( I've heard good and bad) If someone has a company that they worked well with, would love to hear about them. I just don't have the time between working full-time and 2 kids to sit down and tear apart our reports with a fine comb.

2. I've also heard about ways to get your bankruptcy removed from your credit report? How does that work and how long do you have to wait after officially being discharged?

I'm mainly wanting to clean up our report, not looking for any credit cards at this time. Been enjoying being a cash only family!! If anyone has a check list to follow that would be great as I don't know where to begin, Thank you!!

[HHM]

1. As to one, it really isn't all that hard. Disputing most entries can be done online with each of the 3 credit agencies. Only if you get an obstinate entry, a company might be able to help you. However, I have no recommendations of a specific company since they all tend to be overpriced and over-promise and under deliver.

2. Not likely. That is, again, more of an over promise, under deliver sort of claim. If the stars align, it is "possible", but for most people, the BK is going to be there for 10 years and there isn't a whole lot you can do about it. Also, your credit report is not the only place where you BK is recorded. To get a BK removed, there must be some sort of irreconcilable mistake in the way the BK is being reported (e.g. it is not your BK, dates are way off, etc). It used to be the case that after 18 months, if if you flooded the credit agencies with disputes, the BK would come off because the BK was archived at that point and no one would bother to verify it, but with today's technology, that really isn't possible any more.

[tobee43]

as hhm points out you can do this direct with each of the reporting companies online.

we did and after 30 days we heard from all of them one way or another. it was easy to do. i know it's been over a year that i have done it, so i have to do it again. but i would stay away from these companies that promise you they can clean it up for you. the best way to clean it, is to let time pass, it will usually straighten up itself, although, there are always a few out there to dispute.