CREDIT SCHOOL
Everything they don't teach you about credit scores, credit reports, and how to dispute your way to a better number — explained in plain English.
79%
of reports have errors
1 in 5
people have a credit-altering mistake
30–60
days to resolve most disputes
$27
for the complete DIY playbook
Chapter 1
WHAT IS A CREDIT SCORE?
Your credit score is a three-digit number between 300–850. It's calculated using data from your credit report and tells lenders how risky it is to loan you money. The higher the score, the better rates and approvals you get.
THE 5 SCORE FACTORS
Your score is built from these five inputs — know them, control them.
Payment History
Biggest factor. Even one 30-day late can drop your score 60–110 points.
Credit Utilization
How much of your available credit you're using. Keep it under 30% — under 10% is ideal.
Length of History
How long your accounts have been open. Older accounts help — don't close them.
Credit Mix
Having both installment loans and revolving credit (cards) shows you can handle both.
New Credit / Inquiries
Every hard inquiry can cost 5–10 points. Too many in a short window is a red flag.
Mastering all 5 factors = 800+ score
THE SELF-REPAIR PLAYBOOK
Every step above — done for you, with dispute letters, a tracking sheet, and a 30-day action plan. One-time $27.
Chapter 2
ERRORS HIDING IN YOUR REPORT
Credit bureaus are not perfect. They rely on creditors to report data — and creditors make mistakes constantly. Here are the 6 most common errors costing people real money every day.
Wrong Personal Info
Name misspelled, wrong SSN, old address listed as current — these seem minor but can mix your file with someone else's.
Duplicate Accounts
The same debt listed twice — once by the original creditor, once by a collection agency. You can dispute the duplicate.
Outdated Negative Items
Most negatives fall off after 7 years. Bankruptcies after 10. If they're still there, they must be removed.
Wrong Account Status
A paid-off account still showing as unpaid, or a closed account listed as open. Both hurt your score illegally.
Identity Theft Accounts
Accounts opened in your name that aren't yours. More common than you think — especially after data breaches.
Wrong Balance or Limit
Credit bureaus show a higher balance or lower credit limit than reality — inflating your utilization ratio artificially.
The FTC Found This in 2013 — It's Still True
The Federal Trade Commission studied 1,001 consumers and found 1 in 5 had a verified error on at least one report. 1 in 20had an error serious enough to affect their credit tier. That's millions of Americans paying higher rates for something that isn't even their fault.
Chapter 3
THE DISPUTE PROCESS
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the legal right to dispute any inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information on your credit report. Here's how the process works, step by step.
Pull All 3 Reports
Get your free annual reports from AnnualCreditReport.com. Each bureau — Equifax, Experian, TransUnion — keeps its own file. Errors on one may not exist on another.
Build Your Error List
Go line by line. Compare account numbers, dates, balances, statuses, and creditor names across all 3 reports. Any inconsistency is a potential dispute.
Write Your Dispute Letters
Send a certified letter to each bureau citing the specific error, the account number, and what the correct information should be. Be factual, not emotional.
Wait 30–45 Days
By law, bureaus must investigate within 30 days (45 if you submit additional information). They contact the data furnisher — the creditor — to verify.
Review Results & Escalate If Needed
If the bureau verifies the error as correct and you know it's wrong, file a complaint with the CFPB and the BBB. This creates federal oversight pressure.
THE SELF-REPAIR PLAYBOOK
Every step above — done for you, with dispute letters, a tracking sheet, and a 30-day action plan. One-time $27.
Chapter 4
MYTHS THAT KEEP PEOPLE STUCK
Bad information is the biggest obstacle to fixing your credit. Here are four myths we hear constantly — and the truth that replaces each one.
"You need a lawyer to fix your credit."
Bureaus are required by law (FCRA) to investigate legitimate disputes from anyone — no attorney needed.
"Disputing hurts your score."
Disputes don't directly affect your score. If an item is removed, your score improves. Period.
"Negative items stay forever."
Most negatives fall off after 7 years. Collections, charge-offs, late payments — all have expiration dates.
"Paying a collection removes it."
Paying doesn't automatically remove it. You must negotiate a 'pay-for-delete' agreement in writing before you pay.
Chapter 5
DIY VS. HIRING PROS
Both paths work. The right choice depends on your situation, your time, and your confidence level.
DIY ROUTE
- Cost: $27 one-time for the Playbook
- You control the timeline and process
- Great for 1–5 errors or a clean, simple file
- Requires 2–4 hours upfront + follow-up time
- Best when errors are clear-cut
HIRE CREDIT MAN
- Cost: $197/month (cancel anytime)
- We handle all disputes, letters, and tracking
- Best for complex files with multiple negatives
- Monthly progress reports, 1-on-1 coaching
- Best when you want it done for you
Quick Answers
COMMON QUESTIONS
How long does it take to see results?+
Bureaus have 30 days to investigate. If an item is removed, your score updates within the next reporting cycle — usually another 30–45 days. Most people see real movement in 60–90 days.
Can I dispute items online instead of by mail?+
Yes, but certified mail is better. Online disputes are processed faster but carry less legal weight. A paper trail protects you if the bureau fails to respond.
What if the bureau "verifies" the error as correct?+
Escalate. File a CFPB complaint at consumerfinance.gov. The bureau must re-investigate. A federal complaint creates oversight pressure that online disputes don't.
Does the Playbook work for collections?+
Yes. The Playbook covers collections, charge-offs, late payments, inquiries, and identity theft accounts. Anything on your report can be disputed if there's an error or inconsistency.
What if I want to upgrade to your full service?+
Just text us. We'll pick up where the Playbook leaves off. Your $27 isn't wasted — you'll already understand the process and have your file mapped out.
READY TO START?
You now know more about credit than most people ever will. The next step is taking action — and the Playbook makes it impossible to lose your place.
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