Quite frankly, it doesn’t make (common or financial) sense to pay a, so-called, credit adviser to deal with your private credit problems, when you yourself can probably do it much better, quicker and cheaper. And your credit information stays private!

So if you decide to respond to a credit repair offer, or are approached by such an “adviser”, beware of companies that:

• Want you to pay for credit repair services before any services are provided;
• Do not tell you your legal rights and what you can do-yourself-for free;
• Recommend that you not contact a credit bureau directly;
• Suggest that you try to invent a “new” credit report by applying for an Employer Identification Number to use instead of your Social Security Number; or
• Advise you to dispute all information in your credit report or take any action that seems illegal, such as creating a new credit identity.

If you follow illegal advice and commit fraud, you may be subject to prosecution. You could be charged and prosecuted for mail or wire fraud if you use the mail or telephone to apply for credit and provide false information. It’s a federal crime to make false statements on a loan or credit application, to misrepresent your Social Security Number, and to obtain an Employer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service under false pretenses.

And take note, under the Credit Repair Organizations Act, credit repair companies cannot require you to pay until they have completed the promised services.

So avoid these pitfalls and repair your credit yourself! Click here to start now.