Credit Repair Glossary
credit repair has a lot of jargon. here's what all of it actually means — in plain English, no textbook required.
Being added to someone else's credit card account — and inheriting their history — to build your own credit profile.
When a creditor writes a debt off as a loss after 180 days of non-payment. The debt doesn't disappear — it just changes form.
What happens when an unpaid debt gets sold or transferred to a third-party collection agency — one of the biggest score killers.
A delinquent debt that has been placed with a collection agency. Understanding how collection accounts are reported is key to disputing them effectively.
The three companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — that collect and sell information about how you use credit.
A free tool that blocks lenders from accessing your credit file — protecting you from identity theft and as a strategic dispute move.
A three-digit number (300–850) that summarizes your credit risk. Knowing which factors move it — and how fast — is the foundation of any repair strategy.
The percentage of your available credit you're using. One of the fastest levers you can pull to move your score.
Your legal right under the FDCPA to demand proof that a collection debt is real, accurate, and actually yours.
A formal written challenge to inaccurate or unverifiable information on your credit report — the foundation of credit repair.
The federal law that governs your credit report — who can see it, what must be accurate, and how to dispute errors.
The federal law that limits what debt collectors can do — and gives you the right to demand validation of any debt.
The most widely used credit scoring model, ranging from 300 to 850. Most lenders pull this before any approval decision.
A written request asking a creditor to remove a negative mark as a courtesy — especially useful for isolated late payments.
Hard inquiries happen when you apply for credit and can ding your score. Soft inquiries don't affect your score at all.
The industry-standard data format lenders use to report to bureaus. Errors in this reporting create powerful dispute angles.
The time window during which a creditor can sue you for a debt — separate from how long it stays on your credit report.
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