Credit Repair People

Credit repair scams have become an ever-present danger in a world that demands a clean credit record for many important purchases. Quick fixes and secret shortcuts to a clean credit report fall into the category of ‘If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!’ and common sense should go a long way in helping you navigate these perils. Just in case you need some more help in identifying and avoiding credit repair scams, here are some suggestions on how to manage the more common varieties.

One of the more common credit repair scams to look out for is “The Inside Job”. The perpetrators of this scam will promise you that they can easily repair your credit with the help of a close friend or associate that works within one of the major credit reporting bureaus. This is just as ridiculous a claim as it sounds; don’t be swayed into parting with your hard-earned money by chasing such an absurd scenario.

The only time anything can get fixed on a credit report is when something is verified to be incorrect. But those you can take care of yourself. All you have to do is report it and if it’s determined that it truly is an error, it will get fixed.

Of course, there are companies that can do this for you, but why would you spend the money? You can simply do it yourself. And of course, you’re not guaranteed that someone who’s promising to repair your credit report will actually do so. Most likely, they’re just out to take your money, or even worse. Again, take care of mistakes yourself and save yourself money and headaches.

Another common scam is when a company tells you that they know how to convince the bureaus that you don’t really owe a particular debt. The truth is, if you really owe the debt, then there’s nothing that can be done.

The company that tells you this will either take the money and run or will make a weak attempt at a resolution and then charge you anyway. No debt can be erased from a record unless it’s proven to be false or it’s too old for it to be still listed on the reports.

Yet another common credit repair scam is that a company will say they can change your whole credit file into one with good standing, if your current one is poor. However, again, this isn’t going to happen. If your credit report is poor and the debts on there are valid and legitimate, the only fix for this is that you actually begin to show that you are responsible, and you begin to pay your debts and bills on time.

Don’t fall for a scam, either, that offers you a “loan” with their credit repair services to help you pay off your debts. Again, this is something you can do yourself, by working with the creditors — and you’ll do it much more cheaply, too. If you do need a loan, go through some legitimate source such as your bank.

Look out for the 900 number scams. If a company tells you to call a 900 number to find more information on their services, then look elsewhere. The 900 numbers will charge you per minute for the phone call.

The simple truth is that there are no shortcuts. You can request a copy of your report from any of the major credit reporting bureaus, check it carefully for accuracy, and dispute any false information. You can pay off your debts and manage your credit wisely. But any attempt to use a quick-fix solution will just result in you losing your hard-earned money to a scammer. Be aware and use your common sense and you will have no trouble avoiding these common credit repair scams.

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Tags: Credit Repair