Your credit history can shape so many parts of your life, like access to loans, housing, jobs, insurance, and even basic services. This workshop will help you understand how credit reports and credit scores really work and what steps you can take to protect, build, or repair your credit.

You’ll learn what’s actually listed in a credit report, how credit scoring works, and which factors have the biggest impact on your score. We’ll walk through the three major credit reporting agencies, what makes someone “credit invisible,” and why having no credit can sometimes make life harder than having bad credit.

You’ll also learn how to get your free annual credit reports, understand the difference between hard and soft inquiries, and spot errors that may be hurting your score. We’ll cover how to file disputes, what documents to include, and how long negative information can remain on your report.

Finally, you’ll explore practical strategies for building or improving credit, including secured cards, credit-builder loans, becoming an authorized user, and documenting alternative credit history. We’ll also discuss how to avoid credit repair scams and how to protect yourself with fraud alerts, credit freezes, and credit locks.

By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of your credit profile and real tools you can use to strengthen it.

Hybrid Format

This workshop is offered in a hybrid format, so you can join us in person in our classroom at our office in the 18th and Vine District or online via Zoom, whatever works best for you.