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What Does a Credit Specialist Do?

Lainie Petersen
Lainie Petersen

The term credit specialist can describe two different types of jobs, the first being a worker who enforces compliance with a company's credit standards and the second being someone who assists people in repairing their credit records. In the first case, a credit specialist becomes familiar with a business's process for approving the extension of credit and the management of credit lines and works with clients to ensure that they are given a fair chance at access to credit while also protecting the interests of the employer. In the second case, this professional may work independently or as part of a credit repair clinic to help individuals who have a bad credit history or who are victims of identity theft to remove negative information from their credit reports and to reestablish creditworthiness.

For credit specialists who work in the issuing of credit, duties may include evaluating and verifying information provided by credited applications, approving or disapproving requests for credit, and establishing credit terms and limits. For example, credit specialist may be required to perform an investigation into the credit worthiness of a potential client by contacting the client's bank and other creditors to determine financial soundness. This person may also periodically review the accounts of clients in order to determine whether they are eligible for credit line increases or whether their credit terms should be restricted. In some cases, a credit specialist may also be asked to work with a client who is having difficulty fulfilling the terms of his credit agreement. When working with clients who are unable to pay their bills, a credit specialist may be able to reduce or remove fees, change interest rates, or even approve settlements for less than the full amount owed.

Credit specialists who work with credit repair agencies assist individuals with correcting credit report errors.
Credit specialists who work with credit repair agencies assist individuals with correcting credit report errors.

Credit specialists who work in the area of credit repair evaluate the credit records of their clients and assist them in improving their reports. Depending on the jurisdiction in which the client lives, this process may involve challenging information on the report and requiring both creditors and the credit bureaus that issue the reports to verify the information that they contain. In some places, such as the United States, the law requires credit bureaus and creditors to remove negative credit information if that information cannot be documented and verified. A credit specialist may also assist his client in improving his financial health by developing responsible spending habits and wisely applying for and using credit.

Discussion Comments

SkyWhisperer

@MrMoody - I actually don’t think you need a credit specialist for certain credit improvement scenarios. If you have a high balance on your credit card and you can’t pay it, just call them.

Try to get them to reduce the balance or substantially reduce the interest. Believe me, they are willing to talk and make changes. They would rather have less of your money than none at all.

MrMoody

@allenJo - I work next to a bunch of call center agents. I believe the lady who sits in the cube next to me is a credit specialist. I overheard her talking to customers and offering to extend – or not extend – their lines of credit as the case may be.

We work for a wholesale industrial supplier so all of our customers buy stuff in bulk from us. As a result sometimes they need lines of credit so that they can buy their stuff and then pay it off later.

Obviously if they don’t do a good job of making payments we put a hold on their accounts. At least that’s what this lady does.

allenJo

A credit repair specialist would be a good person to go to if you have bad credit, but understand that it won’t be easy fixing your credit. If you contest the reports given by the credit bureau, they have massive resources at their disposal, including a list of just about every transaction you’ve made and who you borrowed money from.

So I guess what I am saying is that you need to do your homework. However even if you are not able to challenge what the credit bureau is telling you, you can start to repair your credit by making payments on a new line of credit.

How will you get this new line of credit if a major credit card denies you? You can try applying for a card from local merchants, who may be a little more lenient. After you make payments on the card your credit score will begin to improve.

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    • Credit specialists who work with credit repair agencies assist individuals with correcting credit report errors.
      By: alexskopje
      Credit specialists who work with credit repair agencies assist individuals with correcting credit report errors.
    • A credit specialist may be responsible for evaluating and verifying information provided on credit applications.
      By: puhhha
      A credit specialist may be responsible for evaluating and verifying information provided on credit applications.