Can bad credit be repaired? Most consumers believe that once you have bad credit, then you will never again have good credit. Bad credit is extremely difficult to repair, however, it can be done. What you need to keep in mind, is that bad credit only lasts as long as the delinquencies on your credit report last. Once the negative items on your credit report are removed, then you will once again have good credit.

Okay, so what is the time limit for negative items to stay on a credit report? Bankruptcies stay on the credit report for about ten years and negative items stay on for about seven years. Why do I say "about" seven and ten years for negative items? Typically, the negative items should be removed after seven and ten years, however, it often takes a bit longer for these items to be removed by the credit bureaus. In general, the seven and ten year periods are calculated from the date that the event took place.

One way to repair bad credit, is to negotiate a settlement of delinquent debt. Generally, you can negotiate with the debt collection agency or bank that owns your delinquent debt. A rule of thumb, is to try and pay about thirty to fifty cents on the dollar. You can usually get an agreement, in which the debt owner, will agree to place a "settled in full" statement on your credit report, once you have paid the agreed upon amount. Never pay the negotiated debt settlement amount, until you have an agreement in writing. This is because once you have paid this amount, the debt owner, has no incentive to place the "settled in full" statement on your report. If you pay the debt, and the debt owner fails to place the "settled in full" statement on your report, without an agreement in writing, you will have no proof that the debt was settled in full.

If you don't have any money to repay any portion of the delinquent debt, then another way to re-establish good credit, is to start taking out small loans at a bank or loaning institution. This method also works by establishing timely payments through secured credit cards. It seems quite bizarre, but you can actually drown out bad items with good items. What this simply means, is that if you have fifty loans that are in good standing and ten loans in bad standing, the loans in bad standing, will be eclipsed by the loans in good standing. Keep in mind, that you will have to take out very small loans, and pay these loans back on time, in full, every time. Paying off about twenty to thirty small loans on time, will make a significant difference in calculating your credit score. Many individuals credit scores can raise a few hundred points, in a relatively short period of time, with this method.

What if you have bad credit because of fraudulent activity? First, let's specifically define fraudulent activity. The majority of the consumers define fraudulent activity, as individuals who take out credit cards or loans, based upon someone else's identifying information. That is only partially true. Fraudulent activity, can also be a credit card company illegal raising an interest rate in violation of contract terms, a loan being called in before it is due, a bank demanding an illegally accelerated payment of a loan or credit card, or any other violation of law by a financial institution regarding the repayment of a debt. Most consumers fail to recognize when financial institutions commit fraud. The simple solution for fixing bad credit because of fraudulent activity, is to dispute the activity on your credit report. In real estate, the motto is: location, location, location. When it comes to fraudulent credit activity, the motto is: dispute, dispute, dispute. Consumers have the right to dispute any and all fraudulent activity on the report, whether by individuals or financial institutions, by contacting the three credit bureaus and disputing the debt, in writing.

Bad credit, can and should be, repaired. With a little effort and time, bad credit items can be either erased, settled, or eclipsed by good credit.