Your Credit Rights (CROA & FCRA)

What to do today (free options first)

If you see something wrong on your credit report, you can dispute it yourself at no cost. Start by getting your credit reports and focusing on items that look inaccurate or incomplete.

If you’re working with a credit-repair company, know the baseline protections: they can’t charge you before they do the promised work, they can’t promise to remove accurate negative information, and you should receive a written contract you can cancel.

If you want, Credit Footing can help you get matched (free) with a reputable credit-repair or nonprofit credit-counseling provider—without you giving your Social Security number or a full credit report.

• Get your report and list the items you believe are wrong
• Dispute errors yourself (DIY) for free under the FCRA
• If using a company, check their contract and promises—no upfront charges for promised work

FCRA basics: your right to dispute credit-report errors for free

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) sets rules for credit bureaus and the information they use. A key part for you: you generally have the right to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information in your credit file.

You can dispute errors yourself. In many cases, disputes can be handled without paying a company. If the bureau or furnisher can’t verify the information, it may be corrected or removed. Results depend on what’s actually in your file and how the dispute is handled.

For step-by-step help, see Dispute credit report errors and Credit Footing guides.

• No one can guarantee outcomes—disputes take time and depend on your credit file
• Avoid anyone who tells you to dispute information that is true or accurate

CROA basics: what credit-repair companies can’t do

The Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA) focuses on credit-repair companies. It gives you strong protections so you don’t get tricked or charged for “nothing.”

Under CROA, a credit-repair company generally cannot:
- charge you before the work is done,
- promise to remove accurate negative information,
- or skip the written contract rules.

A CROA contract must be in writing and you must be allowed to cancel within three business days (sometimes called the “cooling-off” period). Always read the contract and keep copies of everything.

Red flags: common credit-repair scams and unsafe advice

Be careful with anyone who promises quick fixes, guarantees a specific result, or asks you to do something that could be dishonest. Under the law, accurate information generally should not be “removed” on demand.

Watch for scams like:
- “We will erase bad credit” or “guaranteed score boost” claims,
- charging upfront before promised work is completed,
- telling you to dispute information that is true,
- encouraging you to create a “new credit identity,” use a false name, or seek a CPN (credit privacy number).

If someone pressures you, refuses to give clear paperwork, or asks for sensitive documents you didn’t expect—pause and get a second opinion. You can do legitimate steps yourself for free, and reputable help will explain the process plainly.

• No guaranteed results—any claim to the contrary is a red flag
• Don’t share sensitive IDs like your Social Security number with a matching form
• Use official dispute steps for errors; don’t dispute facts that are correct

How Credit Footing fits in (FREE matching, not repairs)

Credit Footing is a FREE matching service. We do not repair credit ourselves, and we are not a law firm or financial advisor. Our job is to connect you with a participating credit-repair or nonprofit credit-counseling provider based on your goal.

When you submit a match request, we collect contact and goal intent only—such as first name, phone, optional email, your goal, ZIP code, and preferred language. We do not ask you for your Social Security number, full credit report, income, or dates of birth.

If you choose to “get matched” and then a provider contacts you, that requires your explicit, separate consent to be contacted (including by automated calls/texts). Consent is not a condition of service.

Timeline reality check: rights are real, results take time

Even when your rights are clear, disputes and corrections take time. A dispute needs to be specific, documented, and consistent with what’s in your credit file. Some items may take longer depending on how the information was reported and verified.

Also, credit scores are not the same thing as credit reports. The law focuses on accuracy in reporting (FCRA) and consumer protections for credit-repair companies (CROA). Your score may go up or down based on many factors, and no one can guarantee a score result or a specific number of points.

If you want, start with your own DIY dispute for free, then use matching when you want extra support. Learn more at Get matched when you’re ready.

• Expect delays: disputes can take weeks (varies by situation and state)
• Use clear proof for each disputed item (if you have it)
• Keep your expectations realistic—no promises, only processes