Credit Repair fraud in on-line ad. (Reuters)

Washington: In its first case targeting advertising that uses on-line computer services, the Federal Trade Commission said it charged a California man with making false claims in promoting his credit-repair program via America Online. The FTC alleged that Brain Corzine, who promoted a credit card-repair program, advised consumers to take illegal steps to repair their credit. Corzine, also known as Brain Chase, alleged enticed consumers to contact his service, Chase Consulting, by advising that "for just $99 we will show you how to create a brand new credit file at all three of the major credit bureaus ... 100 percent legal and 200 percent guaranteed.". To those who made contact, Corzine sent information on how to create what he called a "file segregation program.". Under this program, Corzine advised the consumer to obtain a taxpayer identification number from one of a few Internal Revenue Service regional centers specified by him for use in place of their Social Security numbers on credit applications. They were further instructed to obtain two new addresses - one to be used on driver's licenses and the other for credit applications.

The FTC said consumers who falsify statements on loan and credit applications or falsify Social Security numbers violate one or more federal criminal statutes.

The commission said it asked a federal court in California to issue a permanent injunction against Corzine, a Sacramento resident, prohibiting him from "engaging in these kinds of practices in the future" and ordering him to compensate customers ?

Tips for business Start-up success. (Union Tribune)

 

Work in the field you are interested in for at least 2 years to develop a good working knowledge of the business.   Develop a network of supportive friends in related businesses who can offer you suggestions and tips.   Read everything you can find on starting your ideal business, and attend seminars put on by the SBA, Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) and local colleges and universities.   Work with an experienced adviser, such as SCORE, counselor, to develop a realistic written business plan to guide you ?