Everything below is written in plain English. Where a question has a longer answer, we link to the full guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Credit Repair Automate a credit repair company?
No. It's software you operate yourself. We don't contact bureaus or creditors for you, don't charge for results, and don't promise a score. You review and approve every letter. That's what keeps it free and keeps you in control.
What does it cost?
The software is free. It requires a SmartCredit® 3-bureau report subscription: $1.99 for a 7-day trial, then $29.95 a month, cancel anytime. Optional print-to-mail is a few dollars per letter. See pricing.
Why do I need SmartCredit specifically?
The scan needs your full current report from all three bureaus in a format it can read, and a fresh one each month to show what changed. SmartCredit provides that. If you already have a SmartCredit account, connect it at no extra cost.
What kinds of items can I dispute?
Anything inaccurate, incomplete or unverifiable: collections, charge-offs, late payments, hard inquiries, repossessions, foreclosures, bankruptcies, student loan status, medical collections and more. See what you can dispute.
Can it remove accurate negative items?
No, and nothing legitimately can. If an item is accurate and verifiable it will usually stay. What the scan finds is the surprising number of items that are reported wrong in some way: dates, balances, statuses, duplicates, accounts past the 7-year limit.
Will my score go up?
If inaccurate items are corrected or deleted, scores usually improve, sometimes a lot. But nobody can promise a number, and we don't. The result depends on what's actually wrong in your file.
How long does it take?
Bureaus have 30 days to respond to each letter. Most people run two or three rounds, so plan on 60 to 90 days. The biggest changes usually show after the first round.
Do I have to mail the letters myself?
Your choice. Download and mail them yourself, or use print-to-mail and we print, address and send them with tracking for a small per-letter fee.
Why do you need my ID and proof of address?
The bureaus require a copy of a government ID and a proof of address with every dispute so they know the letter came from you. The software attaches them to each letter automatically.
Is my information safe?
Your data is encrypted in transit and at rest, we collect only what's needed to generate letters, and we never sell it. Full details in the privacy policy.
Can I cancel?
Yes, any time, from your SmartCredit account. Your Credit Repair Automate account and history stay available.
Can a credit repair business use this for clients?
No. The platform is for personal, non-commercial use only. See the terms of use.
What if the bureau ignores my letter?
They're required by law to respond within 30 days (45 in some cases). If they don't, the software helps you write a follow-up citing the missed deadline, and you can file a complaint with the CFPB. See the guide on what to do after results.
Does disputing hurt my credit?
No. Filing a dispute is not reported to lenders and doesn't affect your score. While an item is under investigation it may be marked 'in dispute' on your report.