First, get your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus. Under federal law, you are allowed to get your credit report for all three bureaus annually for free.

Credit Repair Takes Time

Go to www.annualcreditreport.com, or call 877-322-8228.

You could also contact the credit bureaus directly and order your reports:

• Equifax: 800-685-1111 www.equifax.com
• Experian (also known as CSC): 800-682-7654 www.experian.com
• Trans Union: 800-916-8800 www.transunion.com

Each agency charges about $9.50 for the report, which doesn't include FICO credit scores. For scores, go to myfico.com. A way that you could potentially get accurate and verifiable information removed from your credit report is to negotiate with your creditors. Credit Counseling Services and debt settlement companies do it all the time. You can too! For example, if you have a collection your report, you can negotiate with the collection agency to have the item removed from your credit report in exchange for full payment of the account. Just make sure you get it in writing. If you have access to a fax machine, have them fax it to you. Original creditors are also open to negotiation, sometimes. Try it. It won't hurt. It could help.

If negotiations fail, your local Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) may be able to make payment plans with your creditors if you've fallen behind. These services are offered for free or at a low cost. Call toll-free, 800-388-2227, or go to www.nfcc.org for the nearest CCCS office.