The 5 credit repair secrets every broker needs to know

Credit repair is often portrayed as a dark art, but the concept is actually simple: once you learn the mass of relevant industry regulations, you discover the different buttons you need to push in different situations. So credit repair is actually a science, rather than an art. 

That doesn’t mean brokers should bother learning the intricacies of credit repair – your time would be much more profitably spent winning and servicing clients. But if you understand the basics of credit repair, you’ll become a more skilful broker. 

Here are five credit repair secrets that will allow you to have better conversations with clients whose credit histories are holding them back. 

1. Only incorrect listings can be removed 

There are two reasons your clients may have damaging listings on their credit file – they were either correctly placed or incorrectly placed. 

Unfortunately, credit providers won’t remove accurate information from a credit file. But they will remove inaccurate information, provided you know how to work with them. 

Takeaway: set realistic expectations for your clients. 

2. Credit repair can’t be done overnight 

Removing incorrect listings is a process that takes weeks, not days. 

While a good credit repair agency will move fast, they have to liaise with credit providers – and those providers can be big, bureaucratic organisations that operate at a slower pace. 

Takeaway: give conservative timelines to your clients. 

3. Creditors are willing to negotiate 

Credit providers often take a pragmatic attitude to debts, so they might be willing to offer your clients friendlier payment terms, or even cancel some of their debt. 

This sort of informal negotiation spares the credit providers the hassle of chasing someone for money. 

Takeaway: reassure your clients that all hope is not lost. 

4. Part 9 Debt Agreements aren’t panaceas 

Part 9 Debt Agreements are a formal renegotiation. Again, they usually involve credit providers accepting less money under a new repayment schedule. 

This time, though, your clients’ name will be entered on the National Personal Insolvency Index and the agreement will be recorded on their credit file, severely damaging their borrowing prospects for at least five years. 

Takeaway: notify your clients about the downsides of Part 9 Debt Agreements. 

5. Consumers can solve problems themselves 

Your clients might not realise they can do their own credit repair without engaging an agency. 

True, they might find it complicated, stressful and time-consuming. But it won’t cost them a cent. 

Takeaway: tell your clients about the self-service option.

Dr Merrilyn Mansfield has been a consumer advocate at Princeville Credit Advocates since 2008. At Princeville, she heads the advocacy team, and works on complex cases for consumers and companies who have negative, and potentially incorrect, information on their credit files. Dr Merrilyn is in her final year of Law.

To contact Merrilyn please call 1300 93 63 63.