The FTC & Credit Repair

Protect Yourself From Credit Repair Scams

The best prevention of fraud related to credit report repair is to avoid unethical and illegitimate companies altogether. The following list identifies a few things you should look for when determining if a credit repair company is ethical and legitimate:

Watch out for companies that do not identify their owners/attorneys, or addresses.
Unfortunately, the internet allows many scammers to appear as legitimate companies through legitimate looking websites. Before you give your hard earned money and personal information to anyone, make sure you can verify the company's information and credentials. You can verify Ovation's information from a number of independent sources including the Florida Bar, the Florida Department of State, and the Better Business Bureau.

Watch out for companies that have significant Better Business Bureau Complaints.
While any company can accrue a few random BBB complaints, significant number of complaints may be a strong indication that the company does not operate fairly towards its customers. Check BBB reports frequently and avoid companies that manage to accrue hundreds of complaints. To check for complaints, visit www.bbb.org and click on "Go to Local BBBs". Our history with the Better Business Bureau dates back to 1976.

Watch out for credit repair firms that request fees in advance.
The Credit Repair Organizations Act requires that credit repair company charge for services only after they are rendered. Requirements for large upfront payments are tell-tale warning signs of unethical companies. We only charge for work that has been completed in full.

Watch out for credit repair firms that do not disclose your rights.
Consumers have the right to conduct their own credit report repair. Ovation Law offers its services to individuals seeking legal professionals to manage their credit report repair. Ovation Law discloses your rights to you on every page of our website.

Watch out for credit repair firms that advocate "new" identities.
Creating a new identity by applying for an Employer Identification Number to merge or replace a social security number is a serious crime and can lead to significant personal liability.

Watch out for credit repair firms that advocate fraudulent reporting of credit lines.
Purchasing a listing on someone else's credit lines for the purpose of reporting a positive account is unethical at best. Trying to con the credit bureaus and your future and current creditors is a significant issue that can lead to personal liability.

If you believe that you have been the victim of unethical, misleading and/or deceptive behavior by a credit repair agency or law firm providing credit restoration services, or any credit repair agency or law firm you have engaged has performed illegal or unethical acts in an attempt to restore your credit, you should report them to the FTC immediately and/or notifying the State Bar Association in the law firm's respective state. Your cooperation in the regard will assist the FTC and respective State Bar Associations to find and eliminate the unscrupulous predators in an effort to provide a safer, fraud-free experience for everyone.

At Ovation, we believe timely information and knowledge breeds success and insures greater client satisfaction. If you have any questions about professional credit restoration, including if it is right for you, contact us.