Apparently, the only thing “The Credit Game” was good at fixing was its own bank account.
In this publication, we're uncovering a scam that has been making waves and could potentially affect you or someone you know. Let’s dive right in.
The FTC has shut down “The Credit Game,” a fraudulent credit-repair scheme that deceived thousands of consumers and is now issuing $3.5 million in refunds to those affected.
How It Works:
Michael and Valerie Rando, along with their companies, promoted a series of bogus credit-repair services under the guise of a business called “The Credit Game.”
Here’s how they scammed people:
- Big promises: They claimed they could legally fix credit scores and guarantee results.
- Hefty fees upfront: Consumers paid hundreds to thousands of dollars for these fake services.
- No results: The promised credit repair didn’t happen—or worse, inaccurate info was sent to credit bureaus, damaging credit reports further.
- Bogus business opportunity: Victims were lured into buying kits to launch their own credit-repair scams.
- Exploitative targeting: People were encouraged to use COVID-19 relief funds to pay for these "services."
Who’s Targeted:
• Individuals with poor or damaged credit seeking help
• Vulnerable consumers, including those financially affected by the pandemic
• Victims across the U.S., especially those hit hard by economic downturns
Real-Life Example:
More than 9,200 consumers were directly scammed by The Credit Game. Some lost hundreds, others lost thousands. Many were promised easy credit score boosts and a fast track to financial stability—what they got instead was debt, frustration, and zero results.
As one affected consumer put it: “I thought I was finally getting help. Instead, I lost money I couldn’t afford to lose.”
Why You Should Care:
Bad credit is stressful enough without scammers preying on your desperation. This scheme not only took money—it shattered trust and put thousands of consumers in an even worse financial position.
And let’s not forget—the scammers even tried to recruit victims into launching copycat cons. If you or someone you know paid for credit-repair services recently, especially during the COVID-19 era, you may have been affected.
How to Protect Yourself:
• Don’t pay upfront fees for credit repair. It’s illegal for companies to charge you before they’ve delivered results.
• Be skeptical of “guaranteed” credit boosts. No one can promise to remove accurate negative information from your credit report.
• Use legitimate, free resources. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com for a free copy of your credit report.
• Don’t fall for business opportunities that sound too easy. Scammers love to sell the same scam to their victims.
• If you paid and got nothing, report it. File a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Quick Tips & Updates
Quick Tip: It’s illegal for a credit-repair company to tell you to lie to credit bureaus or create a new identity.
Pro Tip: You have the legal right to dispute incorrect information on your credit report—for free.
Update: The FTC is sending refunds via check or PayPal. If you receive one, act fast—checks expire in 90 days and PayPal in 30. You can contact the refund administrator at 833-296-0723 or check the FTC website for more info.
Stay safe, stay informed.
Keyword Definitions:
- Credit-Repair Scam: A fraudulent service that promises to improve your credit score quickly—for a fee—without delivering results.
- COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act: A U.S. law that prohibits deceptive practices exploiting the pandemic.
- Refund Administrator: A third-party firm hired by the FTC to distribute settlement funds to victims.
- Advance Fee Fraud: A type of scam where consumers are charged upfront for services that are never provided.
- Dispute Resolution: A legal process where consumers can challenge incorrect info on their credit reports for free.
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