A strong credit score is key to achieving financial goals like getting approved for credit cards and loans at great rates. When your credit is in bad shape, using a credit repair service to fix report errors seems appealing. The industry has also attracted many shady actors making big promises but using questionable tactics. Watch out for these warning signs when evaluating online credit repair companies.
- Guarantees of a new credit identity
Some credit repair scams promise they can erase your old credit history and establish a brand new identity and credit file for you. If you are in debt and feel that you are unable to get a new social security number because you have bad credit, this is illegal and impossible to achieve. Steer clear of any company claiming they start you over with a clean slate. Legitimate repair works within the law to improve your existing reports.
- Upfront fees for future services
Federal law prohibits credit repair companies from charging upfront fees for services before they are rendered. A company asking for large upfront payments is a red flag. Reputable companies may charge nominal application fees but otherwise collect monthly payments as work is performed. Never pay significant upfront fees just on the promise of future credit repair services.
- Lack of written contract
Shady operators may refuse to provide a detailed written contract so you have no documentation of what services they charge for and when payment is due. A proper company will always supply a contract outlining its process, timeline, and fees in writing before requiring payment. Don’t hand money over just on a verbal promise from a salesperson.
- Blanket disputes
Instead of targeting specific disputable items on your report, some companies improperly file blanket disputes challenging everything. This shotgun approach rarely leads to improved scores and may trigger fraud alerts on your account. Quality credit repair strategically targets inaccurate, obsolete, or unverifiable entries using careful analysis and customizable dispute letters.
- Misrepresenting laws
Some shady companies falsely promise they compel the credit bureaus to remove all negative entries using “special laws”. In reality, credit bureaus are only required to delete entries they cannot substantiate upon request not simply because a company cites some obscure regulation. Stay away from any service stretching the truth about what credit bureaus are legally mandated to do. Trustworthy companies are the ones you should deal with.
- Strong BBB ratings.
- Genuine customer reviews.
- Detailed contracts.
- Transparent pricing.
- Custom dispute letters.
- Lawful practices.
Avoid companies making outrageous claims about deleting all your bad credit or creating a new identity. Also, beware of any service asking for large upfront fees before providing written contracts detailing the process. Do your due diligence to ensure you partner with an ethical credit repair provider committed to improving your reports accurately and legally. While bad credit can be discouraging, professional guidance gets you back on track. With a little caution, you avoid shady operators and work with a legitimate service to restore your credit standing and open the door to better financial opportunities.