Beware of Bogus Credit Repair Companies!?
So-called "credit repair" companies claim they can remove negative information from credit reports. Advertising as "Credit Advisors," "Credit Rating Correction Services" or "Credit Consultants," they trumpet variations on this message: "Turned down because of bad credit? We can help!" Many of these companies charge hundreds if not thousands of dollars for the promise to "clean up" bad credit reports. But the truth is, these companies can only do what you could do yourself--at no charge. Nobody can remove negative information that is accurate from your credit report. No company has a "secret" ability to remove all negative information.
But this doesn't stop their claims. This deceptive quote is from a credit repair company brochure: "Charged-off accounts, collection accounts, judgments, tax liens, repossessions, and even bankruptcies can be removed from your credit records in less than one year (five to seven month average)."One tactic is to bombard credit reporting agencies with requests to verify information. If a credit reporting agency cannot verify an entry within 60 days, it will remove the information from the report. But if the information is later verified to be accurate, it will go back in the report.Before you even consider signing a contract with a company that promises to repair your credit, remember these facts:?You may obtain a copy of your credit report on your own. ?You have the right to dispute entries in your credit report.Beware guaranteed credit offers!Credit repair and other companies often claim they "guarantee" to get you a credit card, regardless of your credit history.
In fact, these companies do not always honor their guarantee. Sometimes, they'll just take your money and run--you will not get any credit, regardless of what they promised.If they get you a card at all it often will be a "secured" bank credit card, with high up-front "application" fees, that requires you to deposit and keep several hundred dollars in a savings account, or a card that only allows you to buy items in a catalogue from a business that you probably never heard of. (You can apply for a secured credit card by yourself. For a free list of banks that do not charge application fees for secured cards, see the information from Consumer Action in the "For More Information" section below.) Credit repair companies often advertise on television, in newspapers and even on matchbooks. Sometimes they require consumers to dial a "900" telephone number to get more information.
Calls to 900 numbers can cost $2 or $3 a minute, so listening to a few minutes of information about the cards can be expensive. Some companies try to get people a credit card by having them apply using financial information of other people with good credit histories. It is a criminal act to apply for credit under someone else's name--do not do business with one of these companies. Law enforcement agencies have shut down many credit repair outfits, but it is hard to stop a fraudulent credit repair outfit unless people complain about it. Therefore, be careful about responding to credit repair ads and be sure to complain to the agencies listed below if you think a credit repair company took advantage of you.
For more information ?The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) publishes information for consumers on the subject of credit and enforces federal laws on credit. For a list of free publications, write to the FTC's Public Reference Department at the address given below. While the FTC does not handle individual cases, it can act when it sees a pattern of possible law violations develop. Complaints about credit reporting agencies and credit repair scams must be in writing. Send them to: FTC Credit Practices Division, 6th St., N.W., Washington, DC 20580.
?Contact your local consumer protection agency or your state Attorney General's office. Many Attorneys General have toll-free consumer hotlines. These numbers may be listed in the "self-help" or government sections in the front of your phone book. These agencies can offer you advice and may also be able to help resolve your complaint. ?Consumer Action's free complaint/information switchboards offering non-legal consumer advice and referrals can be reached from 10 a.m.
to 2 p.m. on weekdays. Chinese, English and Spanish are spoken. Call either (415) 777-9635 (San Francisco office) or (213) 624-8327 (Los Angeles office). Consumer Action has a free list of secured credit card banks that do not charge application fees.
To receive a free copy, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Consumer Action Secured Credit Card Survey, 717 Market St., Suite 310, San Francisco, CA 94103. (Available in English only.) ?The Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) assists consumers who have problems in paying their bills--before their good credit ratings suffer. Your local CCCS office can help you work out flexible payment plans to make debt repayment more feasible. Call (800) 388-CCCS for an interactive recording that will provide you with the phone number of the office nearest to you. Spanish-speakers can call (800) 68-AYUDA (800-682-9832) between 8 a.m.
and 7 p.m. central time.?Before you sign a contract with any company, check it out with the local Better Business Bureau (BBB), a non-government service which advises consumers on fraud prevention. Call your local BBB. If you cannot find a local number listed in the phone directory, call the Council of Better Business Bureaus at (703) 276-0100 for a referral to the office nearest you. ? Copyright - www.deleteuglyredit.com.
Omar M. Omar is the owner of http://www.deleteuglycredit.com and - Author of "The Credit Repair Bible" book. The website is dedicated to providing credit consumers free advice on how to repair credit. It also provides credit consumers numerous information about their credit report, credit laws, and their rights as a consumer.Credit Report Repair
Having damaged credit is more than an inconvenience for people. It can actually cost you money.
If you have a damaged credit report you will not qualify for a low interest credit card.
There are many companies that advertise that they can clean up your credit report for a fee. The truth is that no one can legally remove accurate negative information from your credit report.
The only way to repair your credit report is time, a debt repayment plan and effort on your part to not spend more than you can afford.
If you feel that you have a damaged credit report due to an error, there are steps you can follow to have the inaccurate information removed from your credit report. The first step is to contact the consumer reporting company in writing and inform them about the information you think may be inaccurate. Make sure you include copies of the materials applicable to your case. The letter you send to the consumer reporting company should list each item...
Credit repair > Credit Report Repair
Credit Report And Correction Techniques
The three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and Trans Union are similar and feature a "Credit Score", which is created from credit report data submitted to them about you. Their report includes where you live, your bill-paying habits, and bankruptcy and arrest information. The information compiled by them is used to determine whether you would be a good borrower. It may also be used by a business to decide whether you would be a good employee.Credit report repair involves techniques for removing negative credit records from your credit report. These are the exact same methods credit score repair clinics and attorneys may charge up to $3,500 to perform.
It is also possible to outsmart creditors who are damaging your credit score. 1. Many times the creditor does not re-verify in time or the credit bureau is busy and does not handle your dispute properly. This credit record must then be deleted from your credit report. 2.
Every negative credit record on your credit report...
Credit Report And Correction Techniques
Credit repair > Credit Report And Correction Techniques
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