Consumer’s EdgeConsumer’s Edge
Consumer Protection Division, Maryland Office of the Attorney General
Credit Repair Scams
“If You Could Buy ‘Good Credit’ for $179 You Would,
Wouldn’t You?”
This headline prompted several consumers to le com-
plaints with the Consumer Protection Division. The words
appeared on a yer enticing consumers to pay for credit
help. Many similar advertisements continue to lure con-
sumers with promises of clean credit ratings. Despite its
promises, you can’t buy good credit.
In a time when more and more people are struggling to
keep their heads above water, credit repair scams ourish.
But if you have bad credit, only time, patience, and
timely repayment of debts will earn you a clean slate.
Oers to Repair Your Credit Record
You might receive an email or text message, see an ad on
social media or online, or see a television ad oer-
ing to clean up your credit problems. If your credit
history stops you from getting loans or credit cards,
this may seem like a blessing – but beware. Even if credit
repair organizations were able to legitimately help you
improve your credit rating, state and federal law prohibit
these companies from charging any fees in advance of pro-
viding services, so steer clear of any credit repair business
that asks for payment upfront.
If you have been unable to repay loans or pay bills on time,
this is reected in your credit history. Lenders and credit
card issuers check your credit history before approving
new credit, so it’s likely you will have diculty obtaining
nancing until your credit record is mended. You have
to reestablish good credit by paying o your current debt
and then showing, over a period of years, that you are able
to pay your bills on time. The amount of time it takes to
reestablish good credit varies from three to ten years, de-
pending on how bad your situation is. If you must declare
bankruptcy, for example, reestablishing credit will probably
take seven to ten years.
It’s a good idea to check the accuracy of your credit report
periodically. You can obtain a free copy of your credit
report through www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling
1-877-322-8228. The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act
allows consumers to receive a free copy of their credit
reports once a year from each of the three major credit
reporting agencies. In addition, Maryland law gives its res-
idents the right to a free annual copy of their credit report.
This means you can review your credit report six times a
year for free (two free reports from each agency). For more
information about your credit report and to order your free
credit report under State law, consumers may individual-
ly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus at the
following numbers:
• Equifax, 800-685-1111 or www.equifax.com
• Experian, 888-397-3742 or www.experian.com
• Trans-Union, 800-888-4213 or
www.transunion.com.
If your poor credit rating is a mistake – if someone
has erroneously reported that you failed to pay a bill
Issue #151
September 2022
Anthony G. Brown, Maryland Attorney General
or repay a loan – you can have your record repaired at no
cost. The credit bureau will tell you how.
Bogus Credit Card Oers
A Baltimore consumer received a phone call one evening
saying she had been approved for a Visa or Mastercard.
All she had to do was make two calls to a 900-number and
the credit card of her choice would be mailed to her. She
called the number as instructed but never received a credit
card. She did receive a bill from the phone company for
$50 for the two calls.
The oer goes like this: You pay a fee and the company
will provide you with a bank credit card – Visa or Master-
card. Sometimes you must call a 900-number, for which
you will be charged up to $50. Sometimes you are told to
send a money order.
However, after you send the money or call the 900-num-
ber, you may well receive nothing. Or, you may receive a
list of banks that oer credit cards – information that does
you no good and is available at no cost. Beware of these
scams. If no bank will approve you for a credit card, this
company is not likely to do so either.
What some companies provide is a “credit card” good
only on their own merchandise. They tell you if you
buy from them using their credit card and pay the bills
promptly, you will establish credit. But the merchandise
is usually overpriced and using this card does little to help
you establish credit.
Generally, your best bet is to steer clear of companies or
individuals oering to help manage your debt for a fee.
Credit Help Is Available
If you are having diculty getting credit, have a bad cred-
it rating or are deeply in debt, a number of agencies may
be able to help.
If you’ve been the victim of a scam or you’re having
problems with a debt collection agency, the Oce of the
Commissioner of Financial Regulation can review your
problem and explain your credit rights. You can reach that
agency by calling 410- 230-6100 or visiting www.dllr.
state.md.us/nance.
Don’t wait until your creditors start calling to get help. If
you realize you can’t pay your monthly bills, contact your
creditors immediately and arrange a special payment
plan that allows you to make smaller payments or
skip a monthly payment. If your creditors accept new pay-
ment terms, be sure to get that agreement in writing.
If it looks like your nancial diculties will last a long
time, consider seeking some help from the following:
• The Maryland branch of CCCSMD, a nationwide,
non-prot agency, will try to help you iron out your
debt problems. You can reach CCCSMD by call-
ing 1-800-642-2227 or by going to their website at
www.cccsmd.org.
In many cases, people or businesses that oer to help repair
credit histories or arrange additional credit must be licensed
and bonded in Maryland. To verify that a company is licensed
in Maryland, call the Division of Financial Regulation.
Consumer Protection Division
200 St. Paul Place, 16th Fl., Baltimore, MD 21202
• General Consumer Complaints: 410-528-8662
Toll-free: 1-888-743-0023 TDD: 410-576-6372
En español: 410-230-1712
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday
www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/CPD/
• Health Consumer Complaints: 410-528-1840
Toll-free: 1-877-261-8807 TDD: 410-576-6372
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
www.marylandcares.org
• For information on branch oces in Largo, Salisbury,
Hagerstown, and a full list of oces across Maryland, visit:
www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/contactus.aspx
How to contact us
The Consumer’s Edge is produced by the Maryland Attorney
General’s Office. Reproductions are encouraged.
Maryland
Attorney General
Anthony G. Brown
www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov
