Adverts offering to clean your credit reference file or restore your credit rating by rubbing out any record of debt, should be treated with caution according to the Government's consumer protection authority.

The Office of Fair Trading warns that the information given by so called credit repair companies may be wrong, misleading or guaranteed to get you into worse trouble, and ensure that you are even more out of pocket. They may also be a front for a lender or broker trying to sell you a loan.

Typically, the companies say they can remove unfavourable information from your credit files, such as county court judgements. They also advise on how to make a successful application for credit. Often they urge you to call a costly premium rate telephone line for more information.

John Bridgeman, Director General of Fair Trading, said: " These companies offer nothing that you cannot do for your yourself. County court judgements cannot be removed from credit files unless they have been discharged or were incorrectly granted. It is possible to check for yourself what is on your files and request that corrections are made if the information is incorrect."

Advice is available from local trading standards departments and local citizen's advice bureaux.

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