Is there any truth in the so called credit repair companies. I notice the prices vary wildly, and there is a lot of disputes as to weather this works or it does not. Any suggestions on how to help my credit score and hopefully get my life back on track?

Credit repair companies are even illegal in some states.

They can not remove any correct information, and they can't do anything you can't do for free.

You run a report and contest any false or incorrect information.

Now if you contest "correct" info, and they fail to respond, it may be taken off, at least till they re-report it latter. But most companies like credit card companies, store cards, car debts will alwasys responsd.
Some rental companies, private or lot car debts may not responsd.

But they can't do anything you can't do on your own free

Hello R:

The Padre is right. All they do is what you can do yourself.

There are a couple key's however. You need to keep challenging items even if they stay on after the first time you challenged them. Stay on it. Your work will be rewarded.

Can you clean everything off?? Probably not, but neither could the credit repair people. If you still owe stuff, you can negotiate its removal by offering settlement. There's a lot of stuff you can do. Buy a book on it.

excon