Existing user? Sign in
Share your needs with us, get contacted by law firms.
Free. Takes 2 min.
Or refine your search by selecting a city:
Refine your search by selecting a city.
Credit repair refers to the process of correcting or improving a person’s credit report and credit score by addressing inaccurate, outdated, or unverifiable information. In Ohio, credit repair is governed by both federal and state laws to protect consumers from unfair or deceptive practices by credit repair organizations and ensure accurate credit histories. The state has particular regulations for businesses and individuals involved in credit repair to ensure transparency, fair dealing, and consumer protection.
Many people consider credit repair services when they experience problems securing loans, face higher interest rates due to low credit scores, or find incorrect information on their credit reports. Here are common situations where legal help in credit repair may be necessary:
An attorney specializing in credit repair can help you identify your legal options, represent you in disputes and litigation, and prevent dishonest credit repair service providers from taking advantage of you.
Credit repair in Ohio is regulated through several key laws and regulations, including:
Understanding these laws can help you protect your rights and avoid scams when seeking credit repair services in Ohio.
Credit repair involves challenging inaccuracies or outdated information on your credit report to improve your credit score. In Ohio, you can do this yourself or hire a legitimate, licensed credit repair organization. Both federal and Ohio laws govern these activities to ensure your protection.
No, under both Ohio law and the federal Credit Repair Organizations Act, it is illegal for credit repair organizations to charge or accept payment for services until those services have been fully performed.
Yes, you have the right to dispute inaccurate information with credit bureaus directly without using a paid service. Many steps in credit repair can be done on your own, often for free.
Legitimate companies must be registered with the Ohio Secretary of State, provide you with a written contract, and inform you of your rights. They cannot falsely guarantee results or ask for payment before providing services.
Typically, most negative information such as late payments, foreclosures, and collections stay on your credit report for seven years, while bankruptcies may remain for up to ten years.
A credit repair lawyer can provide legal advice, dispute inaccurate information, negotiate settlements, represent you in legal proceedings, and help you fight fraudulent activity or illegal debt collection practices.
You may have the right to sue for damages, recover fees paid, and report the company to the Ohio Attorney General or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for investigation and enforcement.
No, credit repair services or lawyers cannot remove accurate and timely negative information before it expires. Any company that claims otherwise should be considered suspicious.
You should immediately place a fraud alert on your credit file, review your credit reports, dispute any unauthorized items, and consider contacting a credit repair attorney for further help.
Under federal law, you are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit bureaus. The best way to access your free report is by visiting the official website for annual credit reports or contacting the credit bureaus directly by mail or phone.
If you need more help or information about credit repair in Ohio, consider these resources and organizations:
If you are experiencing credit problems or believe there are errors on your credit report, you should:
A legal professional can help you understand your rights, navigate the dispute process, and ensure your credit report accurately reflects your financial history. If you need legal advice or representation, consider consulting with an attorney experienced in credit repair law in Ohio.
