Watching Your Wallet: Local group offers free DIY credit repair resources

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- If you're struggling with debt, improving your credit score might feel out of reach. But a Fresno-based financial education group says it's possible, and free.

The Academy of Financial Education in Fresno has launched a "Do-It-Yourself Credit Repair" webpage to help consumers boost their credit scores without paying costly service fees.

"Debt is one of the top five stressors that people are suffering from today," said CEO Samuel Molina. "When you have a higher credit score, like over 700, you can get better interest rates and face fewer obstacles."

The online resource walks users through steps such as:

• Gathering and reviewing credit reports for errors or unauthorized accounts
• Ensuring outdated negative items are removed
• Exploring free tools like UltraFICO and Experian Boost
• Molina also recommends negotiating with lenders, paying loans on time and keeping old accounts open to maintain credit history.

He warns against companies that charge for similar services.

"Most companies charge a service fee and may add 15% to 25% settlement fees," Molina said. "They're not doing anything you can't do yourself."

The DIY credit repair page is available in English and Spanish.

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