Credit Repair: Self Help May Be Best: “The Scam Everyday, companies nationwide appeal to consumers with poor credit histories. They promise, for a fee, to clean up your credit report so you can get a car loan, a home mortgage, insurance, or even a job. The truth is, they can’t deliver. After you pay them hundreds or thousands of dollars in fees, these companies do nothing to improve your credit report; most simply vanish with your money. The Warning Signs If you decide to respond to a credit repair offer, look for these tell-tale signs of a scam: * companies that want you to pay for credit repair services before they provide any services. * companies that do not tell you your legal rights and what you can do for yourself for free. * companies that recommend that you not contact a credit reporting company directly. * companies that suggest that you try to invent a “new” credit identity — and then, a new credit report — by applying for an Employer Identification Number to use instead of your Social Security number. * companies that advise you to dispute all information in your credit report or take any action that seems illegal, like creating a new credit identity. If you follow illegal advice and commit fraud, you may be subject to prosecution. You could be cha”