Credit repair can seem like a daunting task- especially if you’re buried under a pile of debt with no foreseeable way out. But the good news is that it is possible and it’s something you can do yourself. Before you can get started, you’ll need a copy of your credit report from all of the three major bureaus- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Credit repair begins with knowing that you have an accurate score, so what you should do first is check all of the information listed to ensure it is correct.

Before you spend your money, you should know that you are legally entitled to one free credit report per year. There are a variety of ways you can order your free credit report, including by mail, on the phone or online. If convenience is what you’re after, visit www.annualcreditreport.com (the only legit site) to obtain your free credit report. You can fill out the required information quickly and easily- all without leaving the comfort of your own home or office- and the report will be shipped to you free of charge. Another option is to order it by phone by calling 1-877-322-8228 or you can always request it by mail. You will need to print out the form at http://www.ftc.gov/credit/ and then mail it to this address:

Annual Credit Report Request Service
PO Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

No matter which ordering method you choose, you will be able to order one free credit report from each of the bureaus simultaneously, or one at a time- it’s up to you! Keep in mind that you’re also entitled to a free credit report if you’ve recently been denied for a credit application, you’re unemployed, planning to look for a job within 60 days, on welfare, or if you believe the information in your credit report to be inaccurate due to fraud or identity theft.

If you want to see your actual credit score, you will have to pay a fee of around $5.95 from each bureau. Once you have the credit reports in front of you, you will need to go through each one meticulously to spot any errors. Look to see if your personal information is correct and then move on to your credit accounts. You need to make sure that all credit accounts you currently have open are being reported and that they are being reported correctly. If you’ve had any collection or charge-off accounts in the past that have since been paid, check to see if they reflect that. If you find any accounts listed that you didn’t open, you will need to report them immediately as fraud.

Credit bureaus will usually respond to any disputes you have within 30 days and resolve the matter so it is reflected on your credit report. Wait a few months and then check your credit report again (this time you’ll have to pay) and make sure the correct info is now listed. Doing this and setting a budget for yourself that you stick to each month will get your credit on the road to recovery in no time at all!

Visit Credit and You.com for more information on credit repair, credit reports and what you can do starting today to repair your credit.