Repairing your credit is a long process. As much as you might wish it could be fixed overnight, it takes time. In the meantime, you need to be careful—one mistake can set you back to a frustrating point, leaving you with more unpaid debt and a worse credit score than when you started.
To avoid that, keep in mind what not to do while repairing your credit:
#1 Skipping some payments to prioritize others
Prioritizing is smart; skipping payments is not. If you want your credit to improve (and yes, you do), avoid missing payments. Even if you’re paying other accounts, late payments will continue to damage your score. If you absolutely must choose, keep your current accounts up to date before paying an account that is already in collections.
#2 Closing credit cards
Closing a credit card can hurt your credit score, especially if it is an older account or has available credit. When you close it, your total available credit decreases and your credit utilization ratio increases, which can negatively affect your score. Closing cards usually won’t help your credit—think twice before doing it.
#3 Speaking directly with debt collectors (without protection)
If a debt collector contacts you, it’s best to request everything in writing and ask them to stop calling. Without admitting the debt, request the following information: the original creditor, the original amount, and the current balance. After that, avoid phone conversations and consider letting a professional help you handle the situation while you work on repairing your credit.
#4 Applying for new loans or credit cards
This is not the time to buy a house, a car, a new couch, or open a new credit card. Avoid any hard inquiries on your credit report. During the credit repair process, these inquiries should be avoided whenever possible.
#5 Filing for bankruptcy as a “shortcut”
Bankruptcy is not a credit repair strategy. While it may be a last resort in certain situations, it does not improve your credit score and can sometimes make it worse. Bankruptcy can remain on your credit report for 7 to 10 years, making it more difficult to obtain credit cards or loans during that time.
Perhaps the biggest mistake is postponing credit repair indefinitely. In addition to avoiding the mistakes above, start today with a clear plan—and if needed, seek help from a trusted professional.
