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I hate that you went through that, man. My dad did the same and called it helping. You can report identity theft through the FTC and get a recovery plan. Might be emotionally hard, but it’s worth it long-term if you want a clean slate.

Yeah, I actually used AM/PM about a year ago. They were pretty straightforward at first, and I saw a bump in my score after a few months, like 40 points. But after that, progress plateaued. Not terrible, but I wouldn’t say miraculous either. Customer service was responsive though, which I...

It might be worth checking out lease transfers on sites like Swapalease or LeaseTrader. You can take over someone else’s lease and the credit checks are sometimes more lenient. Plus, shorter term and lower commitment.

I actually bought one from Etsy for like $12. It had letter templates, dispute instructions, and a checklist. Not revolutionary, but it saved me time digging through forums. If you're serious about DIY, it's worth it for convenience alone.

I think it’s admirable you’re considering this. Just make sure you’re looking at your full financial picture....credit, future plans, savings goals. Your kindness shouldn’t cost you long-term.

Honestly, if you’re in a small town in Virginia, First Community Bank or First Bank & Trust might give you better service. They tend to know their customers and are more responsive in person

This happened to my sister. She ended up using their contact form AND calling before they finally canceled it. Some companies intentionally make canceling complicated so they can bill you one extra time.

Your situation sounds rough, but not hopeless. Credit is resilient. You just need 1-2 positive accounts and some time. I recommend Credit Strong or Self to build that back up fast.

I once had a landlord ask if i was on EBT and then act weird after I said yes. Just shows how people might react differently but legally, and on paper, it doesn’t go on your credit.

Yeah I used Ampm about two years ago. They did help me get a few collections off my report, but it took longer than expected like 6 months. Just make sure you understand their fee structure. They’ll charge per deletion in some cases, not just a flat fee. Not a scam but not a miracle either.

There’s no quick fix, but you can absolutely turn 609 into a 700+ score within a year or two if you’re disciplined. You’re on the right track already. Just don’t let small setbacks discourage you...they happen to everyone.

I’m currently on a novated lease with a pretty rough credit history (low 500s when I applied). It was actually easier than getting a personal car loan because technically the lease is through my employer. The leasing company still ran a credit check, but the employer backing made it less risky...

Paid mine off with a debt consolidation loan. Credit score dipped initially from the hard inquiry but went up once the judgment got marked as satisfied. Not magic, but better than seeing that unpaid red flag every month.

Closing a card with $0 balance is like cutting off your pinky to lose weight. Makes no sense but they do it anyway.

I'm a sucker for alliteration. Something like Freedom Finance Fixers might work if you want to sound approachable. On the professional end, Ascend Credit Partners sounds like a law firm but in a good way. Avoid anything with repair in it if you’re going premium.......use consulting or advisors...

I’ve seen some “before and after” screenshots on Facebook that look a lil too good to be true. Like, you went from 430 to 780 in 3 weeks? Bruh. Show me the receipts, not just pretty graphs.

The real MVP move? Pull all three reports (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion), highlight the errors, and walk into the office of a local repair consultant with your own notes. It helps separate the sharks from the people who actually want to help. Worked for my cousin.

Mate just want to say massive respect for turning things around. Addiction is brutal and coming out the other side with a stable job and goals is something to be proud of. Credit can be rebuilt... slow and steady. I used the Credit Ladder rent reporting service and saw my score jump ~100 points...

Yes! Call, email, fax if needed. Document everything. Once i settled, i made them send me a Release of Garnishment and i walked it to my payroll office myself. Peace of mind = priceless.

Dealing with Midland Credit Management was like battling the final boss in Dark Souls. But disputing inaccurate stuff with documentation WORKED. Do your research, send certified letters, and do not let them intimidate you. Also…take screenshots of everything.