Is credit repair legal in California?

Yes, credit repair is completely legal in California and all 50 states. The federal Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA) and California Credit Services Act regulate how credit repair companies must operate requiring written contracts, no advance fees, and a 3-business-day cancellation right.

How long does credit repair take?

Most clients begin to see results within 3045 days from the first round of disputes. Simple cases can often be resolved in 36 months. Complex profiles with multiple collections, charge-offs, or late payments typically take 612 months of consistent work. Results vary by individual credit profile.

What does the FCRA allow me to dispute?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives you the right to dispute any information on your credit report that is inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable. This includes accounts that are not yours, incorrect balances, wrong payment status, re-aged accounts, accounts past the 7-year reporting window, and duplicate entries. The FCRA does not allow removal of accurate, verifiable information.

What is the difference between a FICO Score and a VantageScore?

FICO and VantageScore are two separate credit scoring models that use the same data but produce different scores often 2050 points apart. FICO is used in over 90% of U.S. lending decisions including mortgage approvals. VantageScore is what most free apps like Credit Karma display. For mortgage applications, lenders use FICO models 2, 4, and 5.

Can you guarantee my credit score will increase?

No. Under the Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA), no credit repair company can legally guarantee a specific score increase or specific item removals. Maximum FICO Score backs its work with a 90-day money-back guarantee if no items are removed within 90 days, you receive a full refund. Results vary by individual credit profile.

Do you charge fees before starting credit repair?

No. Federal law under CROA prohibits credit repair organizations from collecting fees before services are performed. Maximum FICO Score charges no advance fees. Your initial assessment and first consultation are always free.

What is a Section 623 dispute?

A Section 623 dispute is sent directly to the original creditor or debt collector not the credit bureau. Under FCRA Section 623, data furnishers must investigate disputes they receive from consumers and correct any inaccurate information. This is often more effective than a standard bureau dispute for stubborn accounts.

How long does a collection stay on my credit report?

Most collection accounts can remain on your credit report for seven years from the date of original delinquency under the FCRA. This clock runs regardless of whether the debt is paid or unpaid. Paying a collection does not restart the clock and does not automatically remove the account from your report.

What is a rapid rescore?

A rapid rescore is a service available through mortgage lenders that updates your credit score at the bureau level within 35 business days after a verified change rather than waiting for the standard monthly reporting cycle. It must be initiated by your lender and is useful when you are close to a qualifying score threshold.

Does Maximum FICO Score serve clients outside of Bakersfield?

Yes. While our office is at 4646 Wilson Road in Bakersfield, CA, we serve clients in all 50 states remotely through our secure client portal. Local Kern County clients are welcome to visit in person. We offer bilingual service in English and Spanish.

Debt Payoff & Cash Flow Calculator | Maximum FICO Score

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Maximum FICO Score

Credit Education & Ethical Repair · Bakersfield, CA · Since 2016

Free Educational Tool

Debt Payoff & Cash Flow Calculator

A full financial dashboard — see your debt efficiency score, build a survival plan for tight months, stop the cash leaks, and map the gap to buying a home or car. Plus plain-English guidance on what to do next.

Snapshot: score, cash flow, snowball vs. avalanche payoff
Survival plan: what to pay first when money is tight
Stop the leaks: free up cash & lower your big rates
Your goals: home & car readiness, mapped to your numbers

💰 Monthly income

Take-home pay after taxes. Add multiple sources if you have them.

Total monthly income$0

🧾 Monthly expenses

Everything except debt payments — those go in the next section. Skip anything you don't have.

Fixed

Variable

Total monthly expenses$0

💳 Debt inventory

Add each open balance — credit cards, loans, collections, charge-offs. Best estimates are fine.

Total balance

Total minimums

Debt-to-income

—

➕ Extra monthly payment

Optional — money beyond minimums you could put toward debt each month. We'll show how much it could save you.

📊 Debt Efficiency Score

Out of 100

—

Add your income, expenses, and debts to see how efficiently your money is working — and where the leverage points are.

Debt-to-income—

Paying above min.—

Interest-rate load—

Debt mix balance—

Derogatory items—

📈 Monthly cash flow

Income

Expenses

Debt min.

Money left over$0

🕐 Where your money goes

Add expenses or debts to see your spending breakdown.

🎯 Payoff strategies

Add debts above to compare snowball vs. avalanche vs. minimum payments.

💡 What this means for you

Personalized recommendations will appear here as you fill in your numbers.

Survival plan: what to pay first

When money is tight, the order you pay bills in matters more than almost anything else. This sorts the expenses and debts you entered into a protect-first priority order — so you can stop the bleeding before you rebuild.

Add your income and expenses on the Your Snapshot tab and your personalized survival plan will build here.

Stop the leaks

Two ways to free up cash every month: plug the small recurring leaks, and lower the rates on the big fixed bills. Check the leaks that apply to you to see what you could recover.

Plug the leaks

Potential monthly recovery

Estimated — based on the items you check.

Per year$0

Lower the big rates

Education first — no pressure, no specific product pushed on you.

Auto insurance

Often the fastest fixed bill to trim.

General education only. Maximum FICO Score is not a licensed insurance agent and does not sell or recommend specific policies — these are questions to take to your own licensed agent.

Re-shop and compare quotes every 6–12 months — loyalty rarely pays.
Ask about a higher deductible once you have a small emergency cushion.
Bundle auto with renters or homeowners for a multi-policy discount.
Ask about low-mileage or usage-based programs if you drive less.
Review coverage on older vehicles — full coverage may cost more than it's worth.
In most states, a stronger credit profile can lower your premium over time.

Talk it through with us →

Car loan & high-rate debt

Refinancing or consolidating can cut the monthly bite.

Whether refinancing helps depends on your rate, your credit, and how long you've had the loan. We'll help you figure out if it makes sense before you apply anywhere.

If your credit improved since you financed, a refinance may lower your rate.
Consolidating high-APR cards into one fixed payment can reduce interest — if you qualify.
Watch for fees and longer terms that lower the payment but raise total cost.
Fix inaccuracies on your credit reports first — a cleaner report can mean a better rate.

Talk it through with us →

Some funding and lending options we may mention are offered by third-party partners, and Maximum FICO Score may earn a referral fee if you choose to work with them, at no extra cost to you. We only point you toward options after we understand your situation — there's no obligation.

Where you want to be

Pick a goal and see the gap between where your numbers are today and where lenders generally want them — plus the moves that close it.

Add your income, expenses, and debts on the Your Snapshot tab to map your goal.

Save it for later

Get these results sent to you

We'll email or text a clean copy of your score, payoff plan, and recommendations — so you can come back to it when you're ready to act.

Before you submit: This is a free educational tool. Your “Debt Efficiency Score” is an educational indicator created by Maximum FICO Score — it is not a FICO® Score or any score used by lenders, and no specific result, savings, or score increase is guaranteed. Under the Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA) and the FCRA, you have the right to dispute inaccurate items on your own credit reports for free and to a free copy of your report. By submitting, you agree to be contacted by Maximum FICO Score about your results; consent is not a condition of any purchase, message & data rates may apply, and you can reply STOP to opt out. See our Privacy Policy & Terms.

✓ Your live snapshot — submit the form above to get your copy:

Debt-to-income—

Money left over—

Snowball payoff—

Avalanche payoff—

✓

Add your numbers to see your recommended path

Fill in the Your Snapshot tab and we'll point you to the right next step — whether that's stabilizing first or moving straight into rebuilding your credit.

You've got the picture. Now choose a path.

Two ways forward, both built around your timeline — not ours.

Done-with-you

Free Clarity Session

30 minutes with a Maximum FICO Score strategist. Walk through your situation and leave with a real plan — even if you never become a client.

Schedule your session →

DIY · $49.99/mo

Maximum FICO Score AI

All three bureaus, AI-assisted dispute letters, and credit goal planning — you stay in control. Cancel anytime.

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