Answer: -Everything credit repair companies do you can do yourself. However, you will need to have the time, patience and know-how to do all of the things that a good credit repair company can do. Not only can they remove negative items from your credit report many times, but they can remove inquiries, remove collections, late payments and greatly increase your credit score. There are a ton of credit repair companies out there so you need to use great caution when deciding which one to use. I would check with the BBB and rip off report to see what kind of info you can find about the companies before you work with them. With time, research and a lot of effort though you can do most or all of the same things they can do and save yourself a nice chunk of money in the process. Best of luck and check out the blog below on credit information. -No, they absolutely can't. I work for a credit repair company. We use the best tools and are very knowledgeable. We have an attorney on board and everything...But, everything we do can be done by yourself. If you want it done right, it will take hours of reading. It's kind of like changing your oil. Many people don't know how and don't want to learn how to do it. So, they go to the local garage and pay $30. -Usually companies charge hundreds of dollars to simply pull your credit and send correctly worded dispute letters—this is the key…..people will tell you that you can do this yourself for free but the truth of the matter is that the credit bureaus will throw your letters away or simply reject them. There is an easy to use online kit that will deliver the results you want available for just $19.95 at the source website. A similar kit is being sold via infomercials and radio talk shows for seventy dollars more but they try to solicit you repeatedly for other services after the fact.