Chicago-based credit repair firm with 25+ years disputing inaccurate credit report items. Offers 24/7 CreditProtect portal and free initial consultation.
Data compiled from public sources · Google rating shown when a stored review count is available
Nationwide Credit Clearing is a credit repair firm headquartered at 2336 N Damen Ave in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood, with a secondary office in Phoenix, Arizona. The company has been in operation for over 25 years — placing its founding in the late 1990s or early 2000s — and serves both English- and Spanish-speaking clients nationally. No notable third-party certifications such as NFCC membership or HUD approval appear on their website, and their BBB accreditation status has not been publicly verified.
The company's core offering is fully managed credit dispute services. After enrollment, Nationwide Credit Clearing obtains the client's credit reports, identifies inaccurate, misleading, or unverifiable negative items, and handles the entire dispute process with the credit bureaus on the client's behalf. Clients receive ongoing monitoring with notifications when items change on their reports. The proprietary CreditProtect portal provides 24/7 online access to check dispute status without calling in. New clients receive a free credit report review and consultation, and enrollment can be completed entirely online. A referral program is also available for existing clients.
The company's most concrete performance claim is that it deleted over 25,000 items from clients' credit reports in the preceding year — a specific volume metric that implies a high-throughput, active operation. On Google, they hold a 4.6 out of 5 rating from 346 reviews, which is notably strong for a category that routinely generates consumer complaints. A separate Agent Login on their website points to a structured referral or affiliate network, likely serving mortgage brokers, auto dealers, and financial advisors who refer clients needing credit improvement before a major purchase.
For consumers with documented inaccuracies on their credit reports, Nationwide Credit Clearing's 25-year track record and strong review profile are genuine assets. However, meaningful transparency gaps exist: pricing is entirely absent from the website — no monthly fees, setup costs, or plan tiers are disclosed — making cost comparisons impossible without direct contact. No listed refund term is mentioned anywhere on the site. The company holds no publicly listed consumer-advocacy certifications, so consumers should approach this as a for-profit dispute service rather than a nonprofit counseling resource. Those facing debt overwhelm or needing structured budgeting guidance would be better served by an NFCC-certified nonprofit credit counselor. Consumers who successfully repair their credit often find better rates on installment loans, secured credit cards, and other financial products.
While repairing your credit, a secured card can add payment-history context when it reports to the bureaus. Compare deposits, fees, bureau reporting, and any no-credit-check claims directly.
This is state-level context for Credit Repair consumers in Chicago, IL. It does not confirm that Nationwide Credit Clearing or this specific location is licensed.
State regulator
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Consumer protection
Relevant law: Illinois Credit Services Organization Act (815 ILCS 605/1 et seq.)
Registration: Required with Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
Upfront fees: Listed as prohibited in the current CreditDoc state summary
Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.
Nationwide Credit Clearing offers 11 services including Credit report acquisition on the client's behalf, Full credit dispute process management with credit bureaus, Identification of inaccurate, misleading, and unverifiable negative items, Credit monitoring with change notifications, 24/7 online account access via CreditProtect portal, and 6 more.
Nationwide Credit Clearing has profile signals associated with Consumers with documented inaccurate or unverifiable items on their credit reports preparing to apply for a mortgage or auto loan, Spanish-speaking clients seeking bilingual, fully managed credit repair support, Individuals who want a hands-off dispute process with digital status tracking via an online portal, Chicago or Phoenix area residents who value the option of a local physical office.
Key strengths: 25+ years in the credit repair industry — one of the longer operational track records in the space; Claims to have deleted over 25,000 items from client credit reports in the past year; 4.6/5 Google rating from 346 reviews — well above average for the credit repair category. Areas to consider: Pricing entirely undisclosed on website — no monthly fees, setup costs, or plan tiers listed; No listed refund term mentioned anywhere on the site.
In the Credit Repair category, comparable providers include ASAP Credit Repair & Financial Education, Cherry Creek Title Services, Inc., Klavon Credit Repair Chicago. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.
CreditDoc Profile Note
Nationwide Credit Clearing is best suited for consumers with verifiable inaccurate items on their credit reports who want a fully managed, experienced dispute service backed by 25+ years of operation and a strong Google review base. The central caveat is pricing opacity — the company discloses no costs on its website, so consumers must contact them directly before committing. Those needing debt counseling, settlement negotiations, or nonprofit guidance should look to an NFCC-certified organization instead. Consumers comparing credit repair companies should also consider whether credit monitoring services, secured credit cards, or credit counseling might address their needs alongside or instead of paid credit repair services.
Family-owned credit repair company founded in 2008 that disputes derogatory items on credit reports using a flat-fee model rather than monthly subscriptions.
Google rating from 295 reviews
Profile signals: Consumers with multiple derogatory items (late payments, collections, charge-offs) seeking simultaneous dispute, Individuals who prefer one flat fee over monthly subscription credit repair models
Denver-based title insurance and escrow company serving residential real estate transactions statewide since 1992, with in-house real estate attorney and underwriting.
Google rating from 102 reviews
Profile signals: Colorado residential home buyers/sellers seeking personalized local service over large-firm convenience, Real estate agents and lenders in Denver metro area needing direct relationships with title providers
Kaplan Law Firm offers bankruptcy and credit repair legal services in Chicago. Attorney-led firm specializing in Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and credit restoration.
Google rating from 11 reviews
Profile signals: Chicago residents with significant debt considering Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, Consumers needing integrated legal bankruptcy filing and post-bankruptcy credit repair
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A day-by-day action plan for raising your credit score in 90 days — covering disputes, utilization, accounts, and the specific moves that produce the fastest results.
Read guide →A charge-off is one of the worst marks on your credit report, but it's not permanent. Learn exactly how to dispute, negotiate, or wait out charge-offs to rebuild your credit.
Read guide →Step-by-step instructions for disputing errors on your credit report with all three bureaus, including templates and timelines.
Read guide →New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
A higher interest rate that kicks in when you violate your card agreement — usually by paying late or going over your credit limit. It can be nearly double your normal rate.
One late payment can trigger a penalty APR of 29.99% on your entire balance, and it can last 6 months or longer. Read your card agreement to know the triggers.
Example
Your credit card rate is 19.99%. You miss a payment by 61+ days. The bank triggers a 29.99% penalty APR. On a $5,000 balance, that's $125/month in interest instead of $83.
A company that collects and sells information about your credit history. The three major bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Not all lenders report to all three bureaus, so your reports may differ. It can be useful to check all three reports because an error on one could affect the terms you see.
Example
Your car loan only reports to Equifax and TransUnion. Your Experian report doesn't show that good payment history, so your Experian score is 15 points lower.
A free tool that locks your credit report so no one (including you) can open new accounts until you lift it. It's one of the strongest consumer protections against identity theft.
A credit freeze prevents criminals from opening loans in your name, even if they have your Social Security number. It's free by law and doesn't affect your credit score.
Example
Your data was in a breach. You freeze your credit at all 3 bureaus (takes 10 minutes online). A thief tries to open a credit card in your name — denied because the lender can't pull your frozen report.
The variety of credit accounts you have — credit cards (revolving), auto loans (installment), mortgage, student loans, etc. Having multiple types shows you can manage different kinds of debt.
Credit mix accounts for about 10% of your FICO score. Having only credit cards isn't as strong as having a card, an installment loan, and a mortgage.
Example
Borrower A has 3 credit cards. Borrower B has 2 credit cards, a car loan, and a student loan. Even with the same payment history and utilization, Borrower B may be scored differently.
A detailed record of your borrowing history maintained by credit bureaus. It lists every loan, credit card, payment history, collection, and public record tied to your name.
Credit reports can contain errors, so checking them periodically is useful. Checking your report regularly is the first step to reviewing and disputing errors.
Example
You pull your free report from AnnualCreditReport.com and find a $2,400 medical collection you already paid. You dispute it, the bureau verifies it's resolved, and your report reflects the updated status.
A 3-digit number (300-850) that summarizes how reliably you've handled borrowed money. Higher scores can affect lender risk assessment and the terms shown to you.
Your credit score is one factor lenders may use when reviewing eligibility and pricing. Score differences can materially affect total interest over a loan term.
Example
On a $250,000 30-year mortgage: different score ranges may be associated with different rates, monthly payments, and total interest.
The percentage of your available credit that you're currently using. If you have $10,000 in credit limits and owe $3,000, your utilization is 30%.
Utilization is the second-biggest factor in your credit score (after payment history). Lower utilization can support credit-score context; very low utilization is often viewed more favorably.
Example
You have 3 cards with a $15,000 total limit. You're carrying $4,500 in balances (30% utilization). Paying down to $1,500 (10% utilization) could change your score context.
The most widely used credit scoring model, created by Fair Isaac Corporation. FICO scores are widely used in lending decisions.
FICO has many versions (FICO 8, 9, 10). Mortgage lenders still use older versions (FICO 2, 4, 5), so your mortgage score may differ from what free apps show you.
Example
Your FICO 8 score (used for credit cards) is 740. Your FICO 5 score (used for mortgages) is 725 because it weighs collections differently. Same credit history, different scores.
When a lender checks your credit report because you've applied for credit. Each hard inquiry can affect your score and stays on your report for 2 years.
Multiple hard inquiries in a short period suggest you're desperately seeking credit, which can be a risk signal. Exception: mortgage and auto loan shopping within 14-45 days counts as one inquiry.
Example
You apply for 5 credit cards in one month. Each application triggers a hard inquiry. Your score can change from the inquiries alone, making each subsequent application harder.
A credit check that does NOT affect your score. Happens when you check your own credit, when lenders pre-qualify you, or when employers do background checks.
You can check your own credit as often as you want without penalty. Prequalification offers from lenders also use soft pulls, so comparison shopping can be done without a score impact.
Example
You use Credit Karma to check your score (soft pull — no impact). A credit card company sends you a pre-screened offer (soft pull). You then apply for the card (hard pull — small impact).
An alternative credit scoring model created by the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). Same 300-850 range as FICO but uses a slightly different formula.
Many free credit monitoring apps show VantageScore, not FICO. Your VantageScore may be 20-40 points different from the FICO score a lender actually uses.
Example
Credit Karma shows your VantageScore 3.0 as 720. You apply for a mortgage and the lender pulls your FICO 2 score: it's 695. Different model, different number, different rate offered.
A charge added to your account when you miss a payment deadline. Most credit cards charge $29-$41 per late payment, and many loans have similar penalties.
The fee itself hurts, but the real damage is to your credit score. A payment 30+ days late stays on your credit report for 7 years and can drop your score 60-110 points.
Example
Your credit card payment of $150 is due March 1. You pay on March 18. The bank charges a $39 late fee. If it's 30+ days late, it gets reported to credit bureaus and your 760 score drops to 670.
A recurring charge for maintaining a financial account or receiving ongoing services, such as credit monitoring, credit repair, or loan servicing.
Monthly service fees add up quickly. A $79/month credit repair service costs $948/year — make sure the value justifies the ongoing expense.
Example
A credit repair company charges $79/month to dispute items on your report. After 6 months ($474 spent), they've removed 3 negative items and your score went up 65 points. Was it Evaluation Guide Depends on your situation.
A one-time fee charged at the beginning of a service, often by credit repair companies, to cover the cost of your initial credit analysis and account setup.
credit repair with provider claims to verify companies are NOT allowed to charge before they do work (per the Credit Repair Organizations Act). A setup fee before any results is a risk signal.
Example
Company A charges $99 setup fee before doing anything (potential CROA violation). Company B does a free audit first, then charges a $199 work fee only after completing work (legitimate).
A federal agency created in 2010 to protect consumers from unfair financial practices. They write rules, supervise financial companies, and handle consumer complaints.
The CFPB is your most powerful ally against high-cost lenders. Filing a complaint with them gets a response from the company within 15 days — companies take CFPB complaints seriously.
Example
A debt collector calls your workplace after you told them to stop. You file a CFPB complaint online. Within 15 days, the collection agency responds and agrees to stop. The CFPB tracks complaint patterns across all companies.
A federal law that regulates credit repair companies. It bans them from charging upfront fees, making false promises, and requires written contracts with a 3-day cancellation right.
CROA protects you from credit repair warning signs. If a company demands payment before doing any work, they're likely violating federal law. Companies following consumer-protection rules charge after results.
Example
A company says 'Pay $500 upfront and we claim we can remove all negative items.' That violates CROA on two counts: upfront fees and specific result claims. Companies following consumer-protection rules charge monthly after work begins.
The federal law that regulates how credit bureaus collect, share, and use your information. It gives you the right to see your report, dispute errors, and limit who can access it.
FCRA is the legal basis for disputing errors on your credit report. Bureaus are required to investigate within 30 days and remove inaccurate information. You may have a right to sue if they violate your rights.
Example
You dispute an incorrect collection on your Equifax report. Under FCRA, Equifax has 30 days to investigate. If they can't verify it, they are generally required to remove it. If they ignore your dispute, you may have a right to sue for damages.
A federal law that limits what debt collectors can do. They can't call before 8am or after 9pm, can't harass you, can't lie, and are required to stop contacting you if you request in writing.
Knowing your FDCPA rights stops abusive collection tactics. If a collector violates the law, you may have a right to sue for up to $1,000 per violation plus attorney fees.
Example
A collector calls your workplace 3 times after you told them not to. That's 3 FDCPA violations. You hire a consumer attorney (free — they get paid by the collector). The collector settles for $3,000.
When a creditor declares your debt a loss after 180 days of nonpayment and removes it from their books. But you still owe the money — they just stop expecting to collect it themselves.
A charge-off is one of the most damaging entries on your credit report and stays for 7 years. The debt is usually sold to a collection agency who will pursue you for it.
Example
You stop paying your $4,000 credit card. After 180 days, the bank charges it off and sells the debt to a collector for $800. The collector now contacts you demanding the full $4,000 (they profit from what they collect above $800).
When an unpaid debt is transferred or sold to a third-party collection agency that specializes in recovering the money. Collection accounts appear on your credit report for 7 years.
Even a $50 collection account can drop your score 50-100 points. Some newer FICO models (FICO 9) ignore paid collections, but many lenders still use older models.
Example
An old $200 gym bill goes to collections. It appears on all 3 credit reports and drops your 720 score to 640. Paying it helps with newer scoring models but under FICO 8 (still widely used), a paid collection still hurts.
Moving debt from one credit card to another, usually to take advantage of a lower interest rate (often 0% for 12-21 months). There's typically a 3-5% transfer fee.
A 0% balance transfer can save hundreds in interest and help you pay down debt faster. But borrowers are required to pay off the balance before the promotional period ends, or the rate jumps.
Example
You owe $8,000 at 22% APR ($147/month in interest). You transfer to a 0% APR card with a 3% fee ($240). For 18 months, $0 interest. If you pay $444/month, you're debt-free before the promo ends.
The smallest amount borrowers are required to pay each month to keep your account in good standing — usually 1-3% of the balance or $25, whichever is more. Paying only this amount keeps you in debt for years.
Minimum payments are designed to keep you paying interest as long as possible. On a $5,000 balance at 22%, minimum payments would take 20+ years and cost over $8,000 in interest.
Example
You owe $5,000 at 22% APR. Minimum payment: $100/month. At that rate, it takes 9 years to pay off and you pay $5,840 in interest — more than you originally borrowed.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
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