Dishonest and deceitful companies contact consumers that have poor credit histories everyday with empty promises of cleaning up their credit. They tell you after using their services, you'd be able to get a loan, mortgage or gain employment. All, of course for a fee. Hundreds, or maybe thousands of dollars later, you're left with empty pockets and the same credit score. Along with the chance of being prosecuted for breaking federal laws. You can’t pay for good credit, it’s illegal.

It’s impossible to remove accurate negative data from you’re your credit report, it’s against the law. Accurate negative information remains on a credit report for seven years to ten years, from the time its reported. If blemishes on your report are correct, there is absolutely nothing you can do to immediately remove it – not even paying a hefty fee. Paying your bills on time and re-establishing your credit is the best way to improve your credit.

If you have a good reason for not paying your bills during a certain time-frame such as loss of a job, you can ask for that information to be included in your credit report.

If there are mistakes on your credit report, that can be removed. There are laws in place protecting consumers’ rights to the accuracy of what is in their credit file. You don’t have to pay anyone to do that for you, that’s something you can take care of that yourself.

Federal law provides that any bit of information that is not correct on your credit report must be corrected by the provider of the information (the company that reported the information), and the credit bureau reporting the information.

Write a letter to the credit bureau reporting the error explaining why the information is incorrect and that you want the information corrected or deleted. Include a copy of your credit report circling the error(s); along with copies of any documentation supporting your claim. Send this letter and copies of the documents certified mail, “return receipt requested,” so you’ll have proof of what you sent. Always send copies of everything, while you keep originals for your records.

Telltale signs that a company is trying to scam you...

They ask for money upfront before any services are provided — Under the Credit Repair Organizations Act, it is against the law for credit repair services to ask for payment before they have delivered on their promises.

The company doesn't explain your rights or what you can do for yourself for free — it is against the law for credit repair services, including banks, creditors, non-profit or for profit organizations not to provide an explanation of your legal rights, contained in a detailed written contract of which you have three days to cancel without obligation.

The company tells you they can remove any information from your credit report, even if it's true — It is against the law to remove accurate negative information from a credit report.

They suggest that you create a new credit identity — They may suggest applying for a Tax Identification Number to take the place of your Social Security Number. This practice is called “file segregation,” and is illegal. Not only does it not work, it can get you prosecuted for breaking the law.

The company advises you not to contact the three credit bureaus directly — It is your right under the law to contact any, or all three of the nation's credit-reporting agencies directly if you have negative information on your credit report that is not true. Even if you want your side of the story placed in your credit file — if it is a valid reason for not being able to pay your bill(s).

They suggest you dispute all of the information in your credit report, regardless of the accuracy — It is against the law to file frivolous disputes regarding your credit report and can get you arrested.

Remember that following illegal advice — knowingly or unknowingly — will land you in a lot of trouble. It’s a federal crime to falsify a loan or credit application, to misrepresent your Social Security Number, or to obtain an Employer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service under false pretenses. There is a great possibility of being charged and prosecuted for mail or wire fraud if you use the mail service, telephone, or Internet to apply for credit and provide false information.

Save yourself a ton of money — not to mention heartache by researching what you can do for yourself, or ways to improve your credit without paying anyone to do it for you.

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