The credit repair industry can be a frightening place. Given the number of news articles, TV stories, and "expert" pieces cautioning against credit repair scams that get published by well regarded media outlets, it can look like the only logical option is to avoid credit repair companies entirely - something the news outlets seem to advocate.

There are numerous articles talking about how to avoid a credit repair scam. Most talk about red flags such as companies charging large upfront fees, claim to help you create a new credit identity, don't keep you informed of your rights, and generally make misleading or untruthful claims. At this point, however, a very small percentage of articles mention that there are credit repair companies like Lexington Law who do not participate in the practices that typify a credit repair scam. In fact, some articles from established news agencies like CNN conclude by suggesting consumers with credit problems "get legitimate help" from consumer credit counseling services.

Not only is this advice incomplete, but it is also completely useless to people who are in need of credit repair. Credit counseling may be able to help people who are unable to pay off their debts, but it will do nothing to improve your credit score. Some credit counseling programs may even make your credit score worse.