Some companies occasionally (and vaguely) suggest that using a third-party violates some law. Sometimes, they’ll send a letter to consumers who have challenged one or more items on their reports that basically accuses them of having sought outside assistance with the problem. Note that they never actually come out and say plainly, “Using outside counsel [...]

The 100-word statements can only harm the consumer. First, as we’ve discussed, such personal statements are essentially never read by potential creditors anyway since the credit score is the usual qualifying determinant. Second, those statements only m

Consider this myth: Credit bureaus are official

Even quasi-governmental agencies, and such vital American institutions work alongside your creditors to keep every adult citizen toeing the financial line.

There’s so much wrong with practically every word of this fantasy that it’s tough for a consumer advocate to know where to begin. To be sure, there [...]