Credit Repair Scams
James Dimmitt
“Erase Bad Debt !” “Remove Negative Items From Your Credit Report”
You’ve probably seen these headlines and others just like it promising to clean up or “fix” bad credit. For someone who suffers from a bad or poor credit rating, these headlines are certainly an appealing offer.
Imagine finally being able to buy that new car, get debt collectors off your back, and enjoy a new found freedom from your past debts.
Sound to good to be true ? It probably is. Once you fall prey to the credit repair offer and pay the hefty fees involved to clean up your record, here’s what happens:
1) The credit repair scam artist contacts the credit bureaus and reports that the negative information in your file is false.
2) The credit bureau removes this negative information from your report while they investigate the claim.
3) The scam artist will then show you the cleaned up version of your credit report and “ta-da” your credit history has been fixed !
But here’s what the scammer doesn’t tell or show you. After the credit bureau completes their investigation the negative information is placed back on your credit report.
Negative but accurate information cannot be removed from your credit profile. Only incorrect information can be removed.
Accurate information remains on your credit file for a period of 7 years from the time it is reported to the credit agencies; a bankruptcy appears for a 10 year period.
Many legitimate companies exist that can help you with your debt problems. But how do you spot a scam offer ? Easy, they’ll ask you for their fees up front. By law, credit repair agencies cannot ask for payment until they’ve provided the service they promised.
Additionally many states require that a credit repair service, whether they are for-profit or not-for-profit, must provide you with a detailed written contract, an explanation of your legal rights, and the opportunity to cancel any signed contract within 3 days.
Also, be aware that a “credit repair offer” could be an attempt to steal your identity by getting you to provide personal information such as a Social Security number, bank account and credit card account numbers.
Always make sure you know who you are dealing with before accepting any offer to help you repair your credit. Those who don’t can have their credit ruined further and create more debt problems.
About the author: © 2005, http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com Author: James H. Dimmitt James is editor of “To Your Credit” a FREE weekly newsletter focusing on managing your personal finances and credit. Subscribe and get a FREE copy of your credit report when you visit: http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com
The latest information and news on Credit Repair:
[CaRP] Can't open cache file.
[CaRP] Unable to create/open RSS cache file.
Credit Repair: Beyond the Fair Credit Reporting Act (Wellsville Daily Reporter)
(ARA) - Bad credit can happen to good people. On a day-to-day basis, you can't control all the factors that influence your credit score. What's more, credit reports often contain errors.
Free Credit Repair Secrets Teach Consumers How To Fix Ugly Credit (PR Web via...
Sarasota, FL (PRWEB) November 9, 2006 -- FixMyUglyCredit has launched a free credit repair e-course at www.
Avoid Home Repair Nightmares (The Motley Fool)
Americans spent more than $200 billion on home repair/remodel projects in 2005 and have shown few signs of slowing up in 2006, which means that there are a whole lot of very happy contractors out there, bank accounts bulging. But their happiness doesn't necessarily equate with the homeowner's.
Free Credit Repair Secrets Teach Consumers How To Fix Ugly Credit (PR Web)
From the comfort of home, people with damaged credit can fix their own credit with free step-by-step, easy-to-understand strategies and secrets from FixMyUglyCredit.com. (PRWeb Nov 9, 2006) Trackback URL: http://prweb.com/pingpr.php/WmV0YS1NYWduLVByb2YtUGlnZy1NYWduLVplcm8=
Bad Credit and Home Refinance (Kewanee Star Courier)
(ARA) - Mortgage rates are at historic lows, and it seems like everyone's jumping on the refinance bandwagon these days. But is it really a good idea for people with bad credit?
Avoid Home Repair Nightmares (The Motley Fool)
How to find the right person for the job.
Managing Your Credit Can be as Easy as Clicking a Mouse (Ridgecrest Daily Ind...
(ARA) - Managing your credit can be like balancing a plate in an old circus act - look away for just a moment and everything can come crashing down around you. But the task doesn't have to be that hard. In fact, online credit monitoring and management tools can make it as easy as clicking a mouse.
Police: Fake ?Uzi? taken into credit union (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette)
Two juveniles were taken into police custody Thursday morning after they were seen carrying what turned out to be a fake weapon into the Three Rivers Credit Union on Bluffton Road, police said.
Starting a PC Repair Business (Entrpreneur.com)
10 smart tips that will help you start and grow your computer repair service
The week in review (The Cincinnati Enquirer)
By now, you know the storyline from Tuesday's election: Democrats won big at the federal, state and county levels. Here's The Enquirer's take on some of the other election winners and losers.