FAQs » Debt Counseling

Where can I get a copy of my credit reports? How much does it cost?

The only place to get copies of your full credit credit reports for free is the federally authorized website AnnualCreditReport.com (call at 877-322-8228). Your three credit reports (from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) are free to pull from this site once a week. If you visit any other website, you’ll usually see summaries of your credit reports or you’ll be charged for access to your full reports.

How do I establish credit?

In order to establish your first credit score, you need to have at least one credit card or loan open for a minimum of six months. It can be difficult to get approved for crest cards and loans when you have no credit score or your scores are low, but many credit unions offer loans and credit cards designed specifically to help you get started, including:

• Secured credit cards
• Credit-builder loans

You can also start building credit by having a loved one add you to their credit card as an authorized user. Whether you open your own account or become an authorized user, the key to building up good credit scores is to make your payments on time and pay off your full credit card balance each month.

Does credit counseling impact your credit scores?

Credit counseling does not have a direct impact on your credit scores. Your NFCC-certified credit counselor cannot add or remove information in your credit reports, and will not perform a hard inquiry when reviewing your reports.Your counselor’s goal is to help you improve your credit and finances, and they can offer you personalized advice for building strong credit. If you enroll in a debt management plan (DMP), however, your credit scores will be indirectly impacted by credit counseling. Many clients experience an initial decline in points at the beginning of their DMP, followed by an average increase of 100+ points over their first three years on the plan.

Can you fix my credit reports or clean them up?

No. Your NFCC-certified credit counselor does not have the ability to change information on your credit reports. However, your counselor can offer expert insights on how to remove inaccurate items from your credit reports and add positive new information.