Credit Repair for Veterans
Veterans can experience poor credit after active duty. Luckily, there are many credit repair companies willing to help. Read on.
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The best credit repair companies for veterans are:
- Lexington Law for best overall
- CreditRepair.com for first work fee discounts
- The Credit Pros for credit building feature
- The Credit People for the longest satisfaction guarantee
- Sky Blue Credit for the fastest dispute cycle
If you're in the military, the constant moving and short-notice deployments can steer away focus on having good credit. So, it's not uncommon for veterans to suffer from poor credit after service.
What happens when service ends? Delinquent loans, piling debt, and unsettled accounts await.
The solution? Credit repair companies for veterans. You may even get offered a military discount. Here are your options.
Best Credit Repair Companies for Veterans
Among the hundreds of credit repair companies around the U.S., here are the top 5 companies most suitable for veterans.
The VA does not directly help fix the credit of veterans and military personnel. However, they provide resources and educational material to help any veteran and active military person improve their credit. The VA focuses on other forms of assistance to veterans, such as home loans and pensions.
Lexington Law: Best Overall
Lexington Law has been in the business for over 20 years. It's a law firm with experienced lawyers and paralegals who can dispute various negative items in your credit report.
Lexington Law offers Focus Tracks, which are tailored credit solutions for unexpected life events. This includes a Military Focus Track — ideal for veterans and active service members.
Free Online Credit Assessment
- Free Credit Score
- Free Credit Report Summary
- Free Credit Recommendation
- 5 Minutes to Check Your Credit
Why we like Lexington Law:
The Military Focus Track leverages laws that protect veterans and active service members.[1] Lawyers can use laws like the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to protect you against default judgments, evictions, etc.[2]
Lexington Law also offers veterans and active military members 50% off the first work fee.[3] Here are the credit repair packages you can choose from:[4]
| PREMIER PLUS | CONCORD PREMIER | CONCORD STANDARD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Repair Strength | Intense | Moderate | Fair |
| Price (per month) | $139.95 | $119.95 | $99.95 |
| First Work Fee | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Equifax & TransUnion Disputes per Cycle | Up to 8 | Up to 6 | Up to 6 |
| Experian Disputes per Cycle | Up to 3 | Up to 3 | Up to 3 |
| Creditor Interventions (per month) | Up to 6 | Up to 3 | Up to 3 |
You can download Lexington Law's iOS or Android app to get updates regarding your cases. Use it to monitor your credit score, review your credit report, and see the progress of your credit repair program.
A first work fee is a small charge that covers initial tasks in the credit repair service. Companies can bill you anytime from 5 to 15 days after the start of your program. It's also known as an initial working fee, setup fee, or first fee.
Downsides:
Lexington Law is one of the most expensive credit repair services. The first work fee is not specified, and other charges can add up to the total cost. You may end up paying more than what's advertised.
Lexington Law also doesn't have a satisfaction or money-back guarantee. That means you can't request a refund if you're ever unsatisfied with the service.
Free Online Credit Assessment
- Free Credit Score
- Free Credit Report Summary
- Free Credit Recommendation
- 5 Minutes to Check Your Credit
For a more transparent first work fee, you can check out CreditRepair.com instead. It also offers discounts, similar to Lexington Law.
Creditrepair.Com: First Work Fee Discounts
CreditRepair.com is the sibling of Lexington Law in the business. These two companies are owned by Progrexion, one of the biggest companies leveraging technology in credit repair.
With CreditRepair.com, veterans and active military members are offered a large discount for the first work fee. It's one of the biggest discounts for first work fees in the industry.
CreditRepair.com: Get Free Online Credit Evaluation
- Challenges to three credit bureaus
- Creditor interventions
- FICO Score updates
- Sign up with a friend or family member and receive 50% off first work fee each
Why we like CreditRepair.com:
Just like Lexington Law, CreditRepair.com offers 50% off of your first work fee if you're a veteran or an active military member.[5]
This can mean huge savings since the first work fee is the same price as the monthly package price.
Here are the packages you can choose from with CreditRepair.com:[6]
| ADVANCED | STANDARD | DIRECT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | Aggressive | Moderate | Basic |
| Price (per month) | $119.95 | $99.95 | $69.95 |
| First Work Fee | Same as the package price | ||
| Credit Report Pull | $14.99 | ||
| Bureau Challenges | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Inquiry Assist | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Goodwill Intervention | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Credit Score Update | Monthly | Quarterly | Quarterly |
Similar to Lexington Law, you can keep track of your disputes with CreditRepair.com's iOS or Android app. You'll get updates and a breakdown of your credit report through the app.
Downsides:
CreditRepair.com charges a small fee for pulling your credit report. There's also no refund policy or money-back guarantee, so you can't request a refund if you end up unsatisfied with the service.
Plus, CreditRepair.com and Lexington Law found themselves in a lawsuit in 2019. So this impacts the companies' trustworthiness.
Be wary and know that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed lawsuits against Progrexion, CreditRepair.com, and Lexington Law. The said companies allegedly violated Telemarketing Sales Rules by charging upfront fees and performing deceptive marketing practices.[7]
The Credit Pros: Credit Building Solutions
The Credit Pros has been in the credit repair industry since 2009. It offers credit repair and credit-building features, so you can repair and build your credit simultaneously.
If you're a veteran, you can opt for the Success Plus credit builder loan. It's especially suitable for those with thin credit histories due to a lack of transactions reported to credit bureaus.
The loan can help you build and improve your credit history as you make your payments.
Why we like The Credit Pros:
All packages offered by The Credit Pros have unlimited disputes, so you can dispute however many negative items you need.
This is unlike other credit repair companies that put a cap on their disputes every month, depending on the package they offer.
Plus, both of The Credit Pro's packages offer credit monitoring features. This means you can monitor the disputes to keep yourself up to date. You can also download the mobile app on your iOS or Android device to get updated wherever you are.
| SUCCESS PLUS | PROSPERITY | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (per month) | $149 | $129 |
| First Work Fee | Same as the package price | |
| Three Credit Bureau Challenges | ✓ | ✓ |
| Creditor Interventions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cease & Desist Letters | ✓ | ✓ |
| Letter of Reference | ✓ | ✓ |
| Credit Builder Loan | ✓ | — |
Downsides:
The Credit Pros has the most expensive packages on the list, with both plans costing more than $100 monthly.[8] You may need to shell out a large amount of money to get your ideal credit.
The Credit Pros does offer a money-back guarantee. But the catch is that the many terms and conditions may hinder you from requesting a refund.
Credit repair companies aren't required to offer a refund policy. Only selected companies offer this as a sign of confidence and assurance that they can improve your credit within a certain timeframe.
Get a Free Consultation Today
- Plans start at $69/month and $119 first work fee
- 90 day money back guarantee
- Cancel service anytime
- Free Credit Monitoring
If you do prioritize a money-back guarantee, then you can check out The Credit People. It offers the longest guarantee.
The Credit People: Satisfaction Guarantee
The Credit People is another reputable credit repair company that has removed millions of negative items for thousands of clients. It's been in the industry since 2001.
The Credit People offers the longest satisfaction guarantee of all credit repair packages on this list. Its guarantee covers up to 6 months of service, which can be advantageous for veterans.
Why we like The Credit People:
The Credit People's Premium Flat Rate plan offers a double advantage for veterans who need extensive credit repair. The plan comes with lower monthly fees and an extensive guarantee.
The entire service costs around $99/mo. This is cheaper than the Premium plan with the same features. You'll get unlimited disputes and creditor interventions for both.
The guarantee also covers the entire service of credit repair. You get protection for 6 months, while other services only have up to 90 days of coverage.[9]
Here's how much The Credit People's packages cost:[10][11]
| PREMIUM FLAT RATE | PREMIUM | STANDARD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $599.00 for six months | $119.00 per month | $99.00 per month |
| First Fee | $19.00 | ||
| Unlimited Challenges to Three Main Credit Bureaus | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Credit Score Updates | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Monthly Credit Monitoring (report and scores) | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Creditor Interventions | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Escalated Disputes and Validations | ✓ | ✓ | — |
Downsides:
The Standard plan is a bit limited for veterans who need deep credit repair services. It's best to go for the other two plans if you have too many items that result in poor credit.
Also, The Credit People does not have any mobile app. You need to use a desktop to access your online account.
While in the military, you can fix your credit by adding more positive transactions to your report. You can do so by making timely payments on all your accounts. This lets you avoid negative items due to late payments and missed dues.
You can also gradually decrease your utilization ratio by opening and maintaining new credit accounts responsibly. The suggested utilization ratio for one credit account is below 30%.
If service speed is your priority, you're better off with the next company. It has the fastest credit repair service on the list.
Sky Blue Credit: Fastest Dispute Process
Sky Blue Credit is the most established credit repair company for veterans. It has been in the industry since 1989. It also operates on a 35-day dispute cycle, which is faster than other companies.[12]
Best part? Sky Blue Credit offers credit repair to veterans for both individuals and couples. It even provides a discounted plan to couples who sign up.
Why we like Sky Blue Credit:
Typically, credit repair companies operate on a 45-day cycle, making Sky Blue Credit faster by 10 days.
Sky Blue Credit also operates on a re-dispute basis for negative items. So, you get another chance to dispute and reinvestigate your negative item with the credit bureaus.
Here are the packages you can get:[13]
| INDIVIDUAL | COUPLES | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (per month) | $79.00 | $119.00 |
| First Work Fee | Same as the package price | |
| Pro Analysis | ✓ | ✓ |
| Faster Disputes: 35-day Disputes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom Disputes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extra services: Creditor Interventions | ✓ | ✓ |
Downsides:
Sky Blue Credit does not have credit monitoring features. You'll have to subscribe to another app to keep track of changes to your credit. It's an additional expense to keep yourself updated.
Also, you may not be able to contact Sky Blue Credit readily. Sky Blue Credit's customer support is only available from 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM Monday to Friday, EST.
You can get your free credit report online on AnnualCreditReport.com to see your recent transactions. You'll be able to access your weekly reports from the main credit bureaus.
Get Started on Your Credit Repair
- No charges for the first 6 days
- 90-day guarantee
- 45-day dispute cycle
- Cancel service anytime
Now, as a veteran, how will these companies work for your benefit?
How Do Credit Repair Companies Work For Veterans?
Credit repair companies improve credit by disputing negative items on credit reports. Professionals will challenge credit bureaus and creditors for inaccurate, outdated, and unverifiable items.
Here are some basic inclusions from credit repair companies:
- Review and analyze your credit report
- Verify negative information in your credit report
- Write dispute letters to credit bureaus
- Challenge and correspond with your creditors
- Monitor changes in your credit
- Book one-on-one consultations
Other companies can offer other features such as custom credit repair, fast-track add-ons, or credit-building features.
No, the military cannot fix your credit, even if the military comes with certain rights and privileges. However, there are several laws that may help you out as a veteran or an active service member. You can look into the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and the Military Lending Act.
Next, you might be thinking, why do you struggle with credit as a veteran anyway?
Most common credit issues of veterans
As a veteran, you may experience the following issues, which can drag your credit:
- Deployment and Moving
As part of your work, you may be called for short-notice deployments, which can result in relocations. This means it's difficult to establish a consistent credit history since personal information may change frequently.Your credit report may earn inaccurate and inconsistent information. So you'll need to spend time correcting this information to keep your credit up-to-date.
- Underemployment or Unemployment
The transition from military service to civilian life can be very challenging. This, in turn, can affect your finances and have you stuck with multiple debts.These debts accrue interest or penalties, which makes them even harder to pay off.
Also, debt obligations don't end just because you're on active duty or serve far away from home. So your debts will still be waiting for you when you get back.
- Limited Credit History
Many people in service may have entered the military at a young age. This means credit history may be very thin, with no activity enough to build credit. - Identity Theft
As a veteran, you may be wary of identity theft, especially when you're away. Identity theft can lead to fraudulent transactions in your credit report.
Methodology
Here's how we chose the best credit repair companies for veterans:
- Years in the Business
The companies in this list have been in the industry for over ten years. This demonstrates compliance with credit repair laws and standards. - Credit Repair Packages
Reputable companies should at least offer the basics of credit repair. Plus, through creditor interventions, experienced companies should be able to help you settle accounts you may have forgotten during duty. - Fees and Discounts
Many companies offer veteran and military discounts as a small way of saying thank you to people who have served and protected the country.Be wary of companies that offer a "one-time-all-in" fee before performing any credit repair service. It's illegal to charge upfront fees as per CFPB.[14] - Satisfaction or Money-back Guarantee
With a guarantee, companies will refund you your money if they haven't removed a negative item in your report within a certain period (i.e., 90 days).It ensures that companies will dispute questionable items in your report. It also increases the chances of successful removals.
- Customer Reviews
Reputable companies will have a mix-and-match of feedback from different clients. We considered those with verified reviews. That way, we know that credit repair companies are truly doing something to improve your credit.
Bottom Line
If you're a veteran or an active member of the military, then you may need credit repair due to your unique situation.
Credit repair companies have aggressive solutions that can help you out. They typically offer discounts, too.
But if neither of the companies on this list seems like the right fit, there are alternatives. You may check out credit builder loans and credit builder apps instead.
References
- ^ Lexington Law. Military Service Focus Track, Retrieved 11/03/2023
- ^ U.S. Department of Justice. Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative, Retrieved 11/03/2023
- ^ Lexington Law. FAQ: Does Lexington Law offer a military discount?, Retrieved 11/03/2023
- ^ Lexington Law. How much does Lexington Law cost? (Credit Repair), Retrieved 11/03/2023
- ^ CreditRepair.com. Is there a veteran discount?, Retrieved 11/03/2023
- ^ CreditRepair.com. How much does credit repair cost?, Retrieved 11/03/2023
- ^ Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Files Suit Against Lexington Law, PGX Holdings, and Related Entities, Retrieved 07/26/2023
- ^ The Credit Pros. How Much Does Credit Repair Cost, Retrieved 11/03/2023
- ^ The Credit People. How does your unbeatable satisfaction guarantee® work?, Retrieved 11/03/2023
- ^ The Credit People. Plans and Pricing, Retrieved 11/03/2023
- ^ The Credit People. All the Cost Up Front, Retrieved 11/03/2023
- ^ Sky Blue Credit. Faster Disputes, Retrieved 11/03/2023
- ^ Sky Blue Credit. Member Pricing, Retrieved 11/03/2023
- ^ CFPB. How to Avoid Credit Repair Service Scams, Retrieved 10/13/23
Write to Alex Mambaje at feedback@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.
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