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# Take heed before taking credit
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/take-heed-before-taking-credit/
- Published: 2006-09-27T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T21:26:30.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Business, Santa Monica, #archive-import

If one decides to respond to a credit repair offer, the FTC recommends looking 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.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 27, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/092706.pdf?ref=smdp.com)