Credit Repair Services in Kenya: What Works and What's a Scam

Hundreds of companies advertise credit repair services in Kenya. Most promise miracles. Few deliver. Here's what actually works and what to avoid.

What Credit Repair Services Actually Are

Definition

Credit repair service: A company that claims to improve your credit score or remove negative information from your CRB report, usually for a fee.

What They Claim

• "Remove blacklisting in 30 days"
• "Erase negative items permanently"
• "Guaranteed score improvement"
• "We know CRB secrets"
• "Fix your credit while you sleep"

The Reality

✅ What they CAN legitimately do:

• Dispute incorrect information (you can do this free)
• Identify errors in your report
• Negotiate with lenders on your behalf
• Provide guidance on credit improvement
• Handle legal challenges (if you have legitimate case)

❌ What they CANNOT do:

• Remove accurate negative information before 7 years
• Guarantee score improvements
• Create false positive history
• Override CRB blacklisting illegally
• Remove legitimate defaults

Legitimate vs. Scam Services

Red Flags: Probable Scam

⚠️ High-risk warning signs:

1. Upfront payment before services rendered

- Legitimate: Payment after successful removal

- Scam: Wants payment immediately

- Risk: You pay, company disappears

1. Guaranteed results promised

- Legitimate: "We'll try our best"

- Scam: "100% guaranteed removal"

- Reality: No one can guarantee removal

1. Illegal tactics suggested

- Legitimate: Only legal methods

- Scam: "We know people at CRB" or "Pay CRB directly"

- Risk: Criminal involvement

1. Secrecy about methods

- Legitimate: Clear about process

- Scam: "We can't tell you how we do it"

- Reality: If it's legitimate, it's explainable

1. Claims to "erase" history

- Legitimate: "Remove errors" or "Dispute items"

- Scam: "Completely erase all negative items"

- Reality: Can only remove errors or wait 7 years

1. High fees for simple disputes

- Legitimate: KES 500-2,000 for legitimate dispute

- Scam: KES 10,000-50,000 upfront

- Reality: Free disputes available directly from CRB

1. Pressure to sign quickly

- Legitimate: Time to review terms

- Scam: "Act now or opportunity is gone"

- Risk: Signing unclear contracts

1. No physical office or contact info

- Legitimate: Verifiable business address

- Scam: Only online/email contact

- Reality: Can't follow up or complain

Green Flags: Likely Legitimate

✅ Positive indicators:

1. Clear fee structure

- Upfront costs stated

- Payment only after service completion

- Money-back guarantee

1. Realistic promises

- "Disputes errors" not "removes negatives"

- "May improve score 20-50 points"

- "Takes 20-30 days for disputes"

1. Transparent process

- Explains exactly what they'll do

- Shows template documents

- Clear timeline provided

1. References/reviews

- Verifiable customer reviews

- Real testimonials with specifics

- Online reputation presence

1. Legal disclaimers

- They mention CRB dispute limits

- Acknowledge 7-year aging rules

- Explain what they cannot do

1. Professional registration

- Business registered with authorities

- Physical address provided

- Contact information verified

1. Guaranteed money-back

- If disputes fail, money returned

- Shows confidence in service

- No-risk agreement

Common Credit Repair Scams in Kenya

Scam 1: "Pay Now, Dispute Later"

How it works:

1. Company asks for KES 5,000-20,000 upfront
2. Promises to file CRB dispute
3. You pay via M-Pesa or bank transfer
4. Company disappears or does nothing
5. You've lost money and dispute wasn't filed

Red flag: Payment before service delivery

Protection: Never pay upfront. Good companies only charge after successful removal.

Scam 2: "CRB Connection Scam"

How it works:

1. Company claims to have "inside connection at CRB"
2. Says they can remove items for fee
3. Suggests paying CRB directly (to their account)
4. Item doesn't get removed
5. Company keeps your money

Red flag: Claims of corrupt CRB officials or inside connections

Protection: CRB operates transparently. No "backdoor" removes legitimate items.

Scam 3: "Create New Credit Identity"

How it works:

1. Company offers to create new CRB identity
2. Claims it's legal way to escape bad credit
3. Gets your personal info
4. Uses it for fraud
5. You're victim of identity theft

Red flag: "Create new credit file" or "Get new CRB number"

Protection: Creating false identity is fraud. Never share personal info this way.

Scam 4: "Pay Less to Lender (But Pay Us More)"

How it works:

1. Company negotiates reduced payment with lender
2. You save KES 10,000 on debt
3. Company charges KES 20,000 fee
4. Net result: You lose money
5. You could have negotiated directly

Red flag: Fee exceeds amount saved for you

Protection: Calculate actual savings. Negotiate directly with lender first.

Scam 5: "File Disputes (Without Your Knowledge)"

How it works:

1. You hire company for "credit improvement"
2. Company files multiple disputes without telling you
3. CRB contacts you asking about disputes
4. You don't know what's being disputed
5. Disputes fail because you can't explain them

Red flag: Company files actions without your approval

Protection: Require written consent for every action. Know what's being disputed.

What YOU Can Do (Free) vs. Paying Companies

Disputing Errors (FREE)

What you can do:

1. Visit crb.co.ke

- Check your report (free annual report)

- Document any errors

- Screenshot incorrect items

1. File dispute directly

- Complete CRB dispute form (free)

- Attach supporting documentation

- Submit online or by mail

- No payment required

- CRB contacts lender for verification

- Typically resolved in 20-30 days

1. Contact lender

- Call lender's customer service

- Report the error

- Request written confirmation

- Ask lender to file dispute with CRB

- Often faster than going through CRB

Cost: KES 0

Timeline: 20-30 days

Success rate: 90%+ for legitimate errors

Legitimate Debt Settlement (Negotiated)

What you can do:

1. Call lender directly

- Ask for settlement options

- Negotiate 60-80% of debt

- Get written settlement offer

- Make payment

- Request removal from blacklist

1. Hire lawyer (if lender won't negotiate)

- Get quote first (KES 5,000-20,000)

- Only if you have legal grounds

- Lawyer sends demand letter

- Lender often settles

- Much cheaper than losing credit for 7 years

Cost: KES 0-20,000 (lawyer optional)

Timeline: 7-14 days after payment

Success rate: High if you negotiate directly

When Credit Repair Services Make Sense

Legitimate Use Cases

You should hire a service if:

1. You don't understand the process

- Service explains clearly

- You're paying reasonable fee

- Service has good reviews

1. Lender won't negotiate with you

- Service/lawyer handles negotiation

- You're willing to pay for help

- Service has track record

1. You have legitimate legal case

- Lender violated law

- You need lawyer representation

- Service is licensed attorney

1. You have complex situation

- Multiple defaults

- Unclear reporting

- Need professional to untangle

- Willing to pay reasonable fee

When to Skip Services

Save money and do it yourself if:

1. You have clear errors - File dispute directly (free)
2. Lender is willing to negotiate - Do it yourself
3. You just need to rebuild credit - No service needed
4. You can't afford extra fees - DIY approach always available
5. Company won't provide guarantees - Red flag anyway

Choosing a Legitimate Service

Vetting Process

If you decide to hire a service:

1. Check registration

- [ ] Business registered with authorities

- [ ] Valid business license

- [ ] Official address in Nairobi/main cities

- [ ] Phone number that works

1. Ask for references

- [ ] Existing customer names and contacts

- [ ] Call 2-3 references

- [ ] Ask about their experience

- [ ] Did they get promised results?

1. Review contract carefully

- [ ] What exactly will they do?

- [ ] What's the timeline?

- [ ] When is payment due?

- [ ] What if services fail?

- [ ] Can you cancel?

1. Search online reviews

- [ ] Google their company name

- [ ] Check Trustpilot, Yelp equivalent

- [ ] Read negative reviews (telling)

- [ ] Multiple 1-star reviews = avoid

1. Get everything in writing

- [ ] Service details

- [ ] Fee structure

- [ ] Timeline

- [ ] Guarantees (if any)

- [ ] Refund policy

DIY Credit Repair Plan (Best Option)

Month 1: Dispute & Analyze

• [ ] Check your CRB report (free at crb.co.ke)
• [ ] Document all errors
• [ ] File disputes on errors (free)
• [ ] Create improvement plan
• [ ] Cost: KES 0

Month 2: Negotiate

• [ ] Contact lender about blacklisting
• [ ] Negotiate settlement if applicable
• [ ] Get written offers
• [ ] Make payment if agreed
• [ ] Cost: Depends on settlement

Month 3+: Build Positive History

• [ ] Make all payments on time
• [ ] Pay down credit card balances
• [ ] Monitor credit score monthly
• [ ] Track improvements
• [ ] Cost: KES 0 (you're building credit legitimately)

Cost vs. Services

• DIY approach: KES 0-20,000 (mostly settlement negotiation)
• With service: KES 5,000-50,000+
• Savings: KES 5,000-30,000+ by DIY

What Really Works

Fastest Credit Improvement

1. Dispute errors immediately (fastest)

- Time: 20-30 days

- Cost: Free

- Impact: 50-100+ points

1. Pay blacklisting debt (if possible)

- Time: 7-14 days after payment

- Cost: Amount owed

- Impact: 100-150+ points

1. Build positive history

- Time: 3-6 months to see results

- Cost: Free

- Impact: Gradual but sustainable

Slowest (Aging)

• Wait for negatives to age off (7 years)
• No cost
• No effort required
• Guaranteed result

Bottom Line

✅ Do this:

• Check CRB report (free)
• File disputes yourself (free)
• Negotiate with lenders (free)
• Build positive credit history (free)
• Hire lawyer if lender violates law (reasonable cost)

❌ Don't do this:

• Pay upfront for credit repair
• Believe guaranteed removal promises
• Share personal info with untrusted companies
• Use illegal methods for credit improvement

Summary: 95% of credit repair can be done free. The rest requires lawyer (if legal case) or settling debt (which you control). Avoid companies promising miracles.

Next Steps

• Understand your CRB report
• Improve your credit score yourself
• Remove blacklisting
• Understand credit myths

---

FAQ

Are credit repair services worth it?

Rarely. 90% of credit improvement can be done free. Only hire if you have complex legal case or can't negotiate yourself.

Can anyone legally remove negative items?

Only if they're errors. Legitimate negatives must age 7 years (except disputes).

How much should credit repair cost?

Max KES 5,000-10,000 for legitimate service. If more than that, likely overpriced. Free disputes available directly.

What if company guarantees removal?

Run away. No legitimate service can guarantee removal of accurate negative items.

Should I use credit repair or DIY?

DIY is cheaper and often as effective. Only hire service if you genuinely need legal help.

Can credit repair company fix my credit faster?

Marginally faster than DIY (2-3 week difference at most). Not worth huge fees.

Are there legit credit repair companies in Kenya?

Few, but some exist. Look for: registered business, reasonable fees, no upfront payment, customer references, reasonable promises.