How to File a Complaint Against a Credit Repair Company
March 9, 2026 | 6 min read
Written By:
Credit Saint
Credit Saint
Staff Writer
With years of experience and a passion for helping clients achieve their financial goals, our team is committed to guiding you on your journey to credit recovery and financial success.
Reviewed By:
Ashley Davison
Ashley Davison
Editor
Ashley is currently the Chief Compliance Officer for Credit Saint, previously the Chief Operating Officer. Ashley got into the Financial world by working as a Logistics Coordinator at Ernst & Young. Coming from a previous career in education, she is eager to teach the world every...
To file a complaint against a credit repair company, gather your contract, receipts and messages, then report the company to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your state’s Attorney General. The CFPB forwards complaints to companies for a response. The FTC and state officials use reports to investigate and enforce the law.
Filing a complaint helps hold a company accountable, may help you recover money, and can protect other consumers. It also helps to know your rights under the Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA), the federal law that protects consumers from unfair or deceptive practices by credit repair companies.
Key Takeaways
The Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA) protects consumers from deceptive practices by credit repair companies.
You can file complaints against credit repair companies with the CFPB, the FTC and your state’s Attorney General.
Keeping copies of your contract, payments and all communication helps you build a strong complaint.
Warning signs of a scam include charging before any work is done, promises of specific results and advice to dispute accurate information.
Before you file, check whether the company broke any of these CROA rules. A clear violation gives you a strong basis for a complaint.
No fees before services are performed: A credit repair company cannot charge you for a service until it has fully performed that service. Any company charging you before performing services is violating the law.
A written contract: You must get a written contract that describes the services, the total cost, how long the work is expected to take and your right to cancel. You must sign it before any services begin.
A three-day right to cancel: You can cancel the contract without penalty or obligation within three business days of signing it.
No false or misleading claims: The law forbids credit repair companies from making false or misleading statements about their services or your credit. That includes promising to remove accurate negative information from your credit report.
Where Can You File a Complaint Against a Credit Repair Company?
There are three main official channels. You can use more than one. Each complaint can support investigations, legal action and, in some cases, getting money back.
1. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
The CFPB is a federal agency that protects consumers in the financial marketplace. It forwards your complaint to the company, asks for a response and works to get you an answer. You can submit a complaint online or by phone. The CFPB handles issues such as billing disputes, services that weren’t provided and misleading practices.
2. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
The FTC works to stop fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices. It does not resolve individual disputes. Instead, your report goes into a database that law enforcement agencies use to spot patterns and build cases, which helps protect other consumers. You can file a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
3. Your State’s Attorney General
Your state’s Attorney General is the chief legal officer for your state and enforces consumer protection laws. Most offices have a consumer protection division that takes complaints against businesses. They can take legal action on behalf of the state and its residents, and many offer mediation to help settle disputes.
What Should You Do Before Filing a Complaint?
Being organized makes your complaint easier to understand and act on.
Gather your documents: Collect your contract, payment receipts and any written messages, such as emails and letters, between you and the company.
Write a timeline: Note the dates of each conversation, who you spoke with and what was said. If a promise was made over the phone, write it down right away.
Try to resolve it with the company: Contact the company directly first. Send a formal letter by certified mail asking for a specific fix, such as a refund, and keep a copy. This shows you made a good-faith effort to settle the dispute.
If you’re not sure whether what happened to you counts as a scam, our list of credit repair scam red flags can help you decide.
No, a credit repair company cannot legally guarantee to remove negative items. Accurate information can stay on your report for as long as the law allows. A promise to remove it is a major red flag and may be grounds for a complaint.
Under the CROA, a company can charge you only after it has performed the service you’re paying for. Costs vary, and many legitimate companies bill monthly for work done that month. Be wary of any company that asks for a large sum before doing any work. Learn more about how much credit repair costs.
Refuse and report the company, because this is a scam and it is illegal. A company that tells you to use an Employer Identification Number (EIN) instead of your Social Security Number to build a new credit file is encouraging you to commit fraud.
It varies from person to person, and no one can promise a timeline. Credit bureaus generally have 30 days to investigate a dispute, and some reports need more than one round. Be cautious of anyone who promises instant or guaranteed changes. Read more about how long credit repair takes.
Protect Your Rights and Keep Moving Forward
Dealing with a dishonest credit repair company is frustrating, but you are not powerless. Know your rights under the CROA, keep records of every interaction and report problems to the CFPB, the FTC and your state’s Attorney General.
If you still want help with your credit, look for a company that explains your rights in writing and doesn’t charge before doing the work. Credit Saint can review your reports and challenge items that may be inaccurate, unverifiable, or outdated.
Reviewed By:
Ashley Davison
Editor
Ashley is currently the Chief Compliance Officer for Credit Saint, previously the Chief Operating Officer. Ashley got into the Financial world by working as a Logistics Coordinator at Ernst & Young. Coming from a previous career in education, she is eager to teach the world everything she knows and learn everything that she doesn’t! Ashley is a FICO® certified professional, a Board Certified Credit Consultant, a Certified Credit Score Consultant with the Credit Consultants Association of America, UDAAP certified, and holds a Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Compliance Certificate.
