Psychosis #5: Seeking help in repairing credit is unlawful.

Such statements are the most insidious and sickest lies of all. In fact, this is the very same psychology a predator uses with his victim: "Here, I'm abusing you, but follow my rules. You can't talk to others about it. You can't ask for help. If you do request or receive help from someone else, you'll only suffer more damage in the long run. Keep to yourself. Remember that I'll tell lies about you if I wish. And if you have any problem with any of this, speak only to me about it."

The facts cut straight to our constitutional citizenship: All of us have a fundamental right to legal representation. Whenever we are accused of anything, whether that accusation appears in the newspaper, on a rap sheet, on a credit report, or anywhere else, we are guaranteed the right to request assistance with both understanding and defending against such allegations.

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 is against the law," because it isn't. The specific wrongdoing is never spelled out, of course, but the effect is the same: By donning the cloak of artificial officialdom, they hope to intimidate consumers into backing down and getting right back into line with all the other quiet people who are afraid to challenge such faux authority. Lexington clients are instructed to simply send such correspondence to the firm, but even those attempting to address their credit reports on their own are well advised to simply ignore such provocations.

So long as consumers can be managed through skilled deception, creditors will continue to unfairly profit at our expense. Reified credit scores will continue to define our suitability for home ownership. Credit acquisition, insurance, and employment will continue to be lost as a result of sloppy data maintenance. Fundamental changes will only occur when consumers reject these untruths which are propagated so successfully within our culture.

Entire contents © 2005, 2007, Randy Padawer, Ph.D. and Lexington Law.

“This is just to tell you how pleased I am with the service your organization has provided for me. My credit reports were a mess before we started and they really have taken shape. My client advocate has been extremely helpful. I will definitely recommend your services to others.”

— R.S., Lexington client*
(Your results will vary)