Are there legitimate credit clinics?

September 17, 2015 5:14 AM

Is there a service that will help me get my credit score straight, when the issue is not money, but a name discrepancy and a $20.00 bill that went to collections and I never found out?

I live in the US. I am looking for a legitimate service that will help me notify credit score companies of a name change (I tried to do it on my own but haven't been successful), and will help me understand my options to get rid of one bill that went to collections a couple of years ago. I am not even sure what this bill is for, and I can't find this information anywhere. I don't even know if I eventually paid it!

I read somewhere that credit clinics (the kind that post "IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT SCORE! CALL XXX" signs on busy intersections) usually use not-so-legitimate methods to do this sort of thing, which could end up in more trouble for me.

English is not my first language and I am not sure what the name of this service would be, if it exists. What am I looking for?

Thanks!

posted by Tarumba to Work & Money (4 answers total)

Best answer: Try the non-profit Consumer Credit Counseling Service.
posted by WalkerWestridge at 5:41 AM on September 17, 2015 [3 favorites]

I just changed my name and I didn't notify any of the credit agencies. They just picked it up over the next couple of months as I changed my name on credit cards and banks and my ID, etc.

If you need to dispute something, contact the credit agencies directly. Get your reports first, then you can dispute something that doesn't belong. This isn't a Credit Counseling thing if you don't wish to pay it off. (source: I have been through CCCS for lots of debt. They help with debt and bankruptcy, AFAIK they do not help with illegitimate items on your credit report)
posted by getawaysticks at 6:29 AM on September 17, 2015

Best answer: There are legitimate nonprofits who help with this stuff. I don't know where you're located. Here in my neighborhood for example though, we have HERA. If you're in California, I recommend calling them for advice. You might try culling through this list of legitimate, nonprofit counseling and community service agencies for more options.
posted by latkes at 7:11 AM on September 17, 2015 [1 favorite]

This is absolutely something you can take care of on your own as a start. This article has a nice summary of the steps you can take and some decision trees about which options to take.
posted by goggie at 8:00 AM on September 17, 2015