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If you want to start a profitable credit repair business, you need to understand the industry rules and regulations to ensure compliance. Just like any other industry, there are both Federal and State laws and every state is different. Some states have specific requirements for bonding, licensing, registering as a credit service organization and many have specific requirements on how much you can charge consumers, when you can charge them and many require the contracts you give your clients to disclose it. Understanding it is not complicated but is important so you can safely navigate and make decisions.
None of the information on this page is legal advice, it is public information that we assembled to help save you time. Rules and regulations do change and we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information listed on this page; however, it is ultimately your responsibility to make sure the information you use to make business or legal decisions are accurate. We highly recommend you do your own additional research and seek assistance from a competent legal professional for any decisions you make.
Roughly $1,550
Roughly $500 - $5000
$20,000 monthly
79%
2.989 Million
$5,700
44.3%
88%
There are both Federal and State laws that regulate the Credit Repair Industry. This section covers the Federal Law, below is a summary of the Credit Repair Organization Act also known as CROA:
The Credit Repair Organization Act is title IV of the Consumer Credit Protection Act, which was signed into Law in 1996 by President Bill Clinton. It’s a federal law put in place to protect consumers from dishonest credit repair companies. The law’s intent is to prevent credit repair companies from taking advantage of consumers and help consumers make informed decisions when hiring a credit repair company.
Before a credit repair company can perform any services, they are required to provide a contract signed by the consumer and the contract must include the following:
Every state has different rules, regulations and requirements. If you are providing services to consumers in your home state, where your business is based, you must follow the law for your state. If you are providing services to any consumers in other states, you must also follow the laws for the states your clients live in. For those of you that are just getting started in the credit repair business, there is no need to worry about states other than your own - there are plenty of consumers that need your help in your home state; however, if you decide to branch out into other states, please remember that the rules apply to the state the consumer resides. So in other words, you must follow the law for the state the consumer lives in.
Are there state laws for credit repair in Mississippi?
Yes
What is the name of the state law?
Mississippi Debt Management Services Act
What are the specific statutes?
MS ST § 81-22-1 (Renacted) et seq.
Who is the authority for credit repair in Mississippi?
Department of Banking and Consumer Finance
501 N. West Street, 901 Woolfolk Building Suite A
Jackson, MS 39225-3729
601.359.1031
http://www.dbcf.state.ms.us/index.htm
Laws often change, so make sure you do your own research and do not rely on this information to be 100% accurate.
What is a surety bond?
A surety bond is a three-party agreement that legally binds your credit repair company (who needs the bond), the state (who requires the bond) and a surety company that sells the bond. If you fail to perform or cause consumers harm, the bond will cover resulting damages or losses.
Is a surety bond required in Mississippi?
Some states require a surety bond to provide credit repair services within their state.
Mississippi does require a surety bond.
See MS ST § 81-22-7
MS ST § 81-22-7
https://www.dbcf.ms.gov/a/debt-management-service-provider/
What is the bond requirement amount in Mississippi?
$50,000
How much do bonds cost?
Surety bonds typically cost between 1% and 10% of the face value based on the owner's personal credit. For example: If the face value of the bond is $10,000; it may cost as low as $100 per year or as high as $1,000 per year.
Where can I obtain a bond?
There are many insurance companies that offer surety bonds. Do a quick google search for “Credit Repair Surety Bond” and you will find many. It’s always a good idea to compare rates.
Does Mississippi require a credit repair license?
Yes, Mississippi requires a license specifically for credit repair; however depending on your city and county you may also be required to obtain a local tax receipt, permit or local professional license. Most counties and cities in the state require business licenses or permits for all businesses, including one-person, home-based operations. If you’re conducting business within a city’s limits, check with your city government to determine licensing requirements. If you’re in an unincorporated area, check with the county government. If you have an office in more than one city or county, you might need to get a license for each one.
https://www.dbcf.ms.gov/a/debt-management-service-provider/
Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance
P.O. BOX 12129, Jackson, MS39236-2129
https://www.dbcf.ms.gov/a/debt-management-service-provider/
601.321.6901
601.321.6933
Federal and State governments call credit repair companies “Credit Service Organizations”. The acronym “C.S.O.” is an abbreviation for the term. Some states require CSO’s to register with one or more of the specific state agencies to know exactly who is practicing credit repair within their state. Some states publicly post a list of CSO’s online that have registered so consumers can check the listing to confirm a credit repair company is registered or not. All of the information below is public information found on the states website. We’ve made every attempt to ensure the information posted is accurate; however, the state may change its policies, procedures or requirements therefore we are not responsible for any discrepancies. We strongly encourage you to do your own research or hire a competent legal professional prior to making any business or legal decisions.
Is CSO (Credit Service Organizations) registration required in Mississippi?
No, Mississippi does not require CSO registration.
What agencies CSO’s (Credit Service Organizations) required to register with?
Mississippi requires registration with the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance.
What is the process and fee to register as a CSO (Credit Service Organizations) in Mississippi?
$750.00
https://www.dbcf.ms.gov/a/debt-management-service-provider/
P.O. BOX 12129, Jackson, MS39236-2129
https://www.dbcf.ms.gov/a/debt-management-service-provider/
601.321.6901
601.321.6933
If you are providing credit repair services to consumers, under Federal law (CROA) you are required to provide a contract for those consumers. On a state level, each state has different requirements for many different aspects of how you conduct business including but not limited to how much you can charge, when you charge, how long you can charge, when clients can cancel or receive a refund that need to be included in the contracts for consumers who reside in that state as well as state specific disclosures that are required to be included. This section can help you understand how you may choose to customize your contracts. All of the information below is public information found on the states website. We’ve made every attempt to ensure the information posted is accurate; however, the state may change its requirements therefore we are not responsible for any discrepancies. We strongly encourage you to do your own research or hire a competent legal professional prior to making any business or legal decisions.
Does Mississippi have specific contract requirements?
No
What is the statute specific to Mississippi credit repair contracts?
N/A
Does Mississippi have a Term requirement?
N/A
Does Mississippi have a Cancellation requirement?
N/A
Does Mississippi have a Refund requirement?
N/A
Does Mississippi require specific Disclosures in their contract?
No
Additional Notes:
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2019/html/SB/2400-2499/SB2441PS.htm
Mississippi uses the terms license and registration interchangeably. In the statute they state that a CSO must file a registration statement, but the packet and the state's website calls it a license packet. They are one in the same.
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