A credit repair service is an organization or company that claims to be able to improve your credit rating or score. While there are such agencies that are legitimate, there are also many who are out to get your money. A credit repair service usually contacts creditors and makes arrangements to lower your payments and also to stretch those payments out over 3-5 years. Unfortunately, credit repair services don't work like computer repair services where the problem is fixed overnight or in a couple of days. Truly working on improving a credit rating takes time, no matter what method you use. It is important not to get scammed by the many companies out there that claim to be able to repair your credit. The only way to repair credit is to pay off the creditors and/or file bankruptcy. Any credit repair service that asks for money up front is not above board. They should only charge you after their services have been rendered. Try a non-profit agency or speaking with a lawyer about your concerns. The only thing worse than having bad credit is having bad credit that you pay to have repaired and still wind up with bad credit.