BBB study on debt relief and credit repair finds some companies fail to live up to promises
St. Louis, Mo., August 17, 2023 – A study by Better Business Bureau® (BBB) finds that while people in North America struggle to pay trillions of dollars in debt, some look for help from companies promising to help reduce or eliminate their debt or fix their credit score. And some of these companies make big promises, but rarely deliver, leaving people further in debt.
The 2023 study, Credit Repair and Debt Relief: BBB® study finds some companies fail to deliver on big promises, examines debt relief, debt consolidation and credit repair industries, finding a pattern of high fees and overstated promises from predatory companies. BBB has over 11 thousand complaints and a thousand negative reviews about debt and credit assistance reveal a pattern of misleading and sometimes fraudulent claims, especially among a group of companies headquartered in the American west.
St. Louis consumers told BBB stories about how their dedication to plans proposed by these companies, meant to boost their credit scores or reduce crushing debt, left them worse off.
Cedric built up $900 in an escrow account with a debt relief company. He called to ask about the status of his debts, but the company never answered his phone calls. He had nine credit cards with them, and they never paid or negotiated a single one.
Shameka paid $1,000 to a company that claimed they would repair her credit. A different credit bureau quickly reached out and told her that the company she had hired would not be able to alter her credit. The company stopped answering her calls, and her credit score never changed.
While some consumers report positive experiences with the credit and debt assistance industry, this study shows there are negative patterns reported by consumers to BBB about companies in the industry, and outright scams designed to deceive and take money from consumers.
Debt is not inherently bad, but millions of North Americans can find themselves underwater as monthly payments and interest stack up. When emergencies strike or monthly paychecks don’t add up, missed payments result in late fees, plummeting credit scores and further economic distress.
Key findings
Predatory debt relief, consolidation, and credit repair companies advertise quick and extensive fixes for low credit scores and defaulted debt, but the ability to enact change is often much more limited than implied.
Consumers report to BBB the mounting fees for debt relief programs and lackluster results from credit repair businesses have lost them thousands of dollars and left them worse off than before.
Many of the services offered by credit and debt assistance companies can be done by consumers themselves. However, difficulty in understanding their options, lack of know-how or a time crunch and other issues can lead some consumers to seek assistance. Here are some key terms and services to know when researching options.
BBB offers tips for consumers considering debt relief or credit repair:
- Use AnnualCreditReport.com to get a free credit report.
- Don’t pay or provide payment information until service is rendered.
- Critically examine any guarantee made. Few, if any, companies can ensure a credit or debt company will agree to negotiate with them or adjust reports.
- If you are in default, call debt holders yourself and attempt to negotiate a lower debt payment.
- Check monthly bank statements to avoid recurring charges from companies.
- Search online for free information.
- Don’t be rushed. Unscrupulous businesses and scammers both use high-pressure tactics.
- Avoid giving away personal banking information until you are 100% certain a company is legitimate.
- Refuse to work with companies that won’t tell you your rights when it comes to credit repair or debt relief.
- Be wary of anyone claiming to be associated with a government agency.
Where to report:
- Better Business Bureau or BBB Scam Tracker
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or call 877-FTC-Help
- Find your state’s Attorney General online