GRAND RAPIDS, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A study by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) finds that while Americans 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 examines debt relief, debt consolidation and credit repair industries, finding a pattern of high fees and overstated promises from predatory companies.
Consumers have told stories to the BBB about how their dedication to plans proposed by these companies, meant to boost their credit scores or reduce crushing debt, left them worse off.
One woman told BBB she hired a debt settlement company back in 2018 for relief from more $36,000 in debt her father held. They agreed to a contract which would see them pay a little more than $27,000 and wipe out the remaining obligations. Fast forward five years, she was a few hundred dollars away from paying the full $27,000. But when she looked at her balance, only $5,780 was to be paid to her creditors, and the rest to the debt settlement company.
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.
Here are some key findings from the study:
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.
BBB offers these 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.
