This alert may not be shared outside your organization, Do Not Repost or send, place on other websites, List servers, or send to others via email, including other associations or parties. Members and Law enforcement use only. Contact us for any permissions. To do otherwise will result in the loss of membership.
Complete Story
01/06/2026
Influencers are pushing this illegal trick to “fix” your credit report
FTC
Looking for some life hacks or advice about managing money? There’s no shortage of online influencers ready to help. But not all advice is good advice (or truthful). And in some cases, what they’re telling you might be more than a bad idea — it might be illegal.
Credit matters. What’s in your credit report can be used to decide things like whether someone will loan you money, give you credit, offer you insurance, rent or sell you a home, or even hire you. If there’s a lot of negative information in your credit report, you also might have to pay more in interest to borrow money.
Some online influencers are telling people they have a fix: file a false identity theft report about a debt they owe. That’s advice not to take. Filing a false identity theft report may leave you worse off — and it’s a crime that could get you a fine, imprisonment, or both.
More Info
Alerts
The FRPA alert system distinguishes us from other groups by gathering and providing information to law enforcement, retailers AND financial institutions.
more information
Resources
Your electronic library to help in fighting financial fraud for all of our partners.
more information