A clear and detailed contract must first be received by the individual seeking credit repair services prior to any repair company performing services for them. It is typical for these contracts to include a description of services to be performed, payment for these services and time frame for completion.
Repair organizations are never permitted to ask for payment prior to providing service to an individual. Any company that asks for upfront payment for their services should be shied away from, as these could be potential scams.
Any individual who is looking to work with any credit services should first gain some insight into what the Credit Repair Organizations Act explains as the restrictions of the repair companies and the rights of the individual seeking for their services. There are a number of scam credit reparation companies that exist, so it is important to be aware of the legal restrictions placed on the type of service you are looking for. If for any reason a company is not operating within these specific stipulations, the individual should certainly report them to their state attorney general.