If you have spent longer than a minute online looking for a decent credit repair program, you already know there are literally hundreds of different books, manuals, guides, and services available to you. On the surface, it would seem relatively easy to choose which direction to go. After all, most of the credit repair services and programs have impressive websites, chock-full of glowing testimonials and irresistible guarantees promising you AAA credit in just a few weeks. Sound familiar?

Unfortunately, thousands of people each year fall victim to using less than reputable credit counseling or repair companies. Or even worse, damaging their reputation and risking prosecution from the federal government by following useless, out-dated credit repair information found in various re-hashed "how to" books across the Internet.

So, how can make sure the program you are considering is actually reputable and will work? Here are a few simple steps you can take immediately before spending a single cent of your hard-earned money: