Is Credit Saint Worth it? A Credit Repair Service Review
Credit Saint has been in the credit repair business for nearly two decades now, and they’ve recently been ramping up their game. They’re becoming more popular in the way of credit dispute services, and people in unfavorable credit situations are wondering if they should sign up for the offer.
The bottom line is that credit repair services aren’t for everyone, and there is no one-size-fits-all offer that will save everyone’s credit score. So, you need to understand an offer before you sign up.
Here, I’ll give you an overview of Credit Saint’s services and the company, share the key benefits and features, and answer some of the top questions you might have. By the time you’re done reading, you should have an idea if Credit Saint is right for you.
This is what’s in store:
- What is Credit Saint?
- Who is Credit Saint Not a Good Fit for?
- What is Credit Saint Offering?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Now, let’s set sail!
What is Credit Saint?
Credit Saint is a company that basically helps folks fix up their credit scores. They do stuff like challenge the credit bureaus, check your score, guide you on building credit, and more.
So, here’s the deal: You give them your info, and they pull a credit report without messing with your score. Then, they look at your credit history, find the stuff that’s dragging you down, and help you work on fixing it. They also analyze the good stuff and tweak your report.
They’re all about trying to keep the credit repair process stress-free, and they even throw in a 90-day money-back guarantee. But — just so you know — they can’t promise a specific score increase (that’s just how these credit repair service things go).
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How Much Does Credit Saint Cost?
They’ve got three packages – Clean Slate, Credit Remodel, and Credit Polish – each with different levels of oomph and features. You’ll end up paying from $79.99 to $129.99 per month in addition to a one-time account setup fee. The setup fee will range from $99 to $195, depending on the plan you choose.
Alright, let’s break it down further:
When you sign up with Credit Saint, the first month is a bit different from the subsequent months. Here’s the deal.
First month costs:
- Clean Slate: $129.99 (monthly fee) + $195.00 (initial working fee) = $324.99
- Credit Remodel: $99.99 (monthly fee) + $99.00 (initial working fee) = $198.99
- Credit Polish: $79.99 (monthly fee) + $99.00 (initial working fee) = $178.99
So, the first month includes both the monthly fee and the initial working fee, which varies based on the package you choose.
Monthly costs thereafter:
- Clean Slate: $129.99 per month
- Credit Remodel: $99.99 per month
- Credit Polish: $79.99 per month
These are the ongoing monthly fees for the credit repair services. Keep in mind that these costs are subject to change, and it’s always a good idea to check with Credit Saint for the most up-to-date information.
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Credit Saint Company Overview
Before we look closer at the benefits and features of Credit Saint’s offer, it’s smart to learn a bit about the company itself.
As reported by Crunchbase and the state of New Jersey, Credit Saint Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a New Jersey-based credit consulting and financial business that was originally founded in 2007. According to state records, they’ve had three changes to the registered agent or office since then, once in 2009 and twice in 2023.
Credit Saint reports that they’ve been trusted “worldwide” since 2004. There are a couple things wrong with this advertising. First, credit repair isn’t the same process country-to-country. Second, state records paint a different picture. To give the benefit of the doubt here, I will assume that the Credit Saint’s founder offered credit repair services before launching the company.
I found no sign of corporate backing behind Credit Saint, which means that this is still a private, founder-owned business. As someone who prefers to support local, family, founder, and member-owned financial institutions and offers, this is a positive sign.
The company appears to have been led by Ross LaPietra since the beginning. In 2020, LaPietra also founded two financial products, Aqualify (prospecting performance optimization platform) and Bolster (a credit dispute app).
Credit Saint is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A rating and 4.3 star reviews on the platform. Many businesses don’t bother to seek accreditation, but this one did. BBB does show 19 customer complaints in the past 12 months, however all of them have been resolved.
Across all platforms, Credit Saint has mixed reviews. On Trustpilot, for example, you’ll find kind words from some happy customers and one-star ratings from people who say the offer is a “waste of time.” In all fairness, credit repair services aren’t a fit for everyone with a low credit score.
Many credit repair companies were adversely affected by a lawsuit for failure to follow regulations a few years back, which led many of them to go bankrupt. I didn’t find Credit Saint on the list, which is a great sign. This tells me that the company tends to adhere to consumer protection laws.
In all, I see enough trust signals here to say that Credit Saint appears to be legit.
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Who is Credit Saint Not a Good Fit for?
Again, not everyone can take advantage of Credit Saint’s services. Like other services (namely Lexington Law) these credit repair services are not available in all U.S. states.
Credit Saint is not available in:
- District of Columbia
- Kansas
- Maine
- Mississippi
- Oregon
- South Carolina
Meanwhile, if you live in the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico, you will be able to sign up.
Next, credit dispute services in general are not a great fit for anyone who has accurate negative items on their credit report. For example, if you have a low credit score due to valid high credit utilization, you might need to pay down your debt to optimize your score.
Or, if your score is low because of a lack of accounts or an imbalanced credit mix, you may need to sign up for a credit builder or apply for a certain type of financing to improve your score. Credit repair is not a universal process – each situation requires customized actions.
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What is Credit Saint Offering?
Now, are you ready to find out exactly what you can expect if you sign up for Credit Saint’s credit repair services? Let’s dive into the offer and learn more about the easy online sign-up process, disputes, bankruptcy support, and more.
Here are the key features of a Credit Saint membership.
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1. Easy Online Sign Up
Many credit repair and dispute services require that you sit through a sales call or consultation to get started, you can sign up for a Credit Saint account in minutes online. Simply fill out your contact information, choose your plan, enter your payment information, sign your agreement, and get started.
When you enter your card information the first time, Credit Secrets will withdraw $1 from your account to verify your information – you will not be charged at the time of sign up. After this, a representative will contact you to get started.
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2. Challenges to Creditors & Bureaus
Credit Saint’s core offer is to challenge and dispute negative items on your credit report. They can address unfair or inaccurate credit hits with Equifax, Transunion, and Experian as well as with your creditors. This can help to ensure that your credit story is accurate and reflective of your financial situation.
This is something that you can do on your own, but most people don’t know where to begin. It starts with getting a copy of your credit report with all three bureaus and scanning it for inaccuracies. This can be anything from the wrong address to an unauthorized credit inquiry to much more complex issues.
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3. Collection & Late Payment Resolution
Specializing in resolving collections and late payments, Credit Saint negotiates and works towards resolutions. They aim for a clean credit report. In this case, they can reach out to collection agencies, request late payment removal, and more.
Since collections and late payments can have a major negative impact on your score, this can come in handy for anyone who has these items on their credit report (if it works). The catch is that they may or may not be successful since the final decision lies with the creditor or the credit bureaus.
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4. Foreclosure, Charge Off, & Bankruptcy Assistance
Offering strategic assistance, Credit Saint can help mitigate the impact of foreclosure, handle charge-offs, and provide support for bankruptcy. The idea is to ensure that these events don’t define your entire credit narrative. Sometimes this involves disputes and sometimes it involves opening new accounts or another strategic approach.
Adverse items on your credit report will typically fall off of your credit report, given enough time. However, there are proactive steps you can take or enlist a service to take for you. The right way to deal with it depends on a clear view of your unique situation.
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5. Judgment, Repossession, & Lien Handling
Addressing the heavier aspects of credit history, Credit Saint aims to resolve judgments through negotiation, mitigates the impact of repossessions, and handles liens – all with the goal of a smoother credit journey and an accurate credit report.
Depending on your situation, judgments, repossessions, and liens can make your situation seem more complex than other negative items. It all comes down to understanding the law and your rights as a consumer. Credit Saint offers to guide you on the road to credit recovery, no matter how complicated your circumstances are.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does debt forgiveness lower your credit score?
Debt forgiveness itself may not directly lower your credit score. However, the process leading to debt forgiveness – such as settling debts for less than the full amount owed – can impact your credit score. It’s crucial to understand the potential effects and consult with financial experts before opting for debt forgiveness.
Is it worth settling credit card debt?
Whether settling credit card debt is worth it depends on your circumstances. While it can provide financial relief, it may also have implications for your credit score. Weigh the pros and cons, consider alternative options, and consult with a financial advisor before deciding to settle credit card debt.
What credit score do people start at?
People can start with a range of credit scores. A credit score typically ranges from 300 to 850. A lower score suggests a higher credit risk, while a higher score indicates better creditworthiness. Individuals with limited credit history or negative items may start at lower scores, while those with positive credit behavior may start with higher scores.
Can debt collectors ruin your credit score?
Debt collectors can have a negative impact on your credit score, yes. If a debt goes to collections, it is usually reported to credit bureaus, which typically leads to a decrease in your credit score. Timely communication and negotiation with debt collectors and addressing the underlying debts can help maintain your credit score.
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Final Thoughts
Credit Saint is a highly-rated credit repair service that has been around since at least 2007, helping people dispute negative items on their reports and more. With this offer, I don’t see any glaring red flags that would make me tell you to run for it.
If a credit dispute service is what you need, give Credit Saints a call and see what you think. But, as with any financial offer, you should check out a few services to compare – make sure you’re signing up for the offer with the best fit for your situation.
Credit Saint does not offer a free trial, but you’ll only be charged $1 to dig a bit deeper. You can probably hop on a call for free by reaching out to 877-637-2673.
To dive into the world of credit repair and get that credit score up fast so you can move forward with your life, check out Credit Secrets and start your journey to better financial health.
Ashley Kimler
Ashley Kimler is your friendly Credit Secrets wordsmith. With a knack for turning complex money matters into easy-to-digest advice, Ashley has been a trusted voice in the world of finance. With writing credits from Pangea Money Transfer, Centier Bank, Performio, and more, she's here to help you navigate the financial jungle with a dollop of wisdom. Let's turn sense into dollars together!
