GITNUXREPORT 2026

Credit Repair Industry Statistics

The multi-billion dollar credit repair industry continues growing as millions seek financial recovery.

Rajesh Patel

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

CFPB logged 120,000 credit repair complaints in 2023.

Statistic 2

85% of complaints involve unfulfilled promises.

Statistic 3

Average scam loss per victim: $1,800.

Statistic 4

40,000 FTC complaints on credit repair in 2022.

Statistic 5

Fake review sites mislead 30% of consumers.

Statistic 6

Upfront fee scams affected 25,000 consumers yearly.

Statistic 7

72% of negative BBB reviews cite no results.

Statistic 8

Robo-call complaints surged 50% for credit repair.

Statistic 9

Class action suits totaled 50 in 2023.

Statistic 10

65% of scams target subprime borrowers.

Statistic 11

Refund demands in 35% of contracts.

Statistic 12

Social media scam ads reported 10,000 times.

Statistic 13

90% of "free trial" offers lead to charges.

Statistic 14

Elderly victims (65+) comprise 18% of complaints.

Statistic 15

Offshore scam operations shut down 15 in 2023.

Statistic 16

Duplicate billing complaints: 12% of total.

Statistic 17

Fake testimonials in 55% of scam sites.

Statistic 18

State consumer protection hotlines received 50k calls.

Statistic 19

28% complaint resolution rate by companies.

Statistic 20

68 million Americans have subprime credit scores, driving credit repair demand.

Statistic 21

45% of U.S. consumers with FICO scores below 600 have used credit repair services.

Statistic 22

Millennials (ages 25-40) represent 52% of credit repair clients in 2023.

Statistic 23

27% of Americans sought credit repair assistance post-COVID in 2021.

Statistic 24

African American consumers are 2.5 times more likely to use credit repair than average.

Statistic 25

Average age of credit repair users is 35 years old as of 2022.

Statistic 26

62% of credit repair clients are repeat customers within 2 years.

Statistic 27

Women comprise 58% of credit repair service inquiries in 2023.

Statistic 28

34% of low-income households (<$50k) have engaged credit repair firms.

Statistic 29

Hispanic consumers make up 22% of credit repair market users.

Statistic 30

Urban dwellers are 3x more likely to use credit repair than rural.

Statistic 31

41% of Gen Z (18-24) report interest in credit repair services.

Statistic 32

Average credit repair client has 4.2 negative items on credit report.

Statistic 33

55% of users discover credit repair via social media ads.

Statistic 34

Baby Boomers (55+) represent only 12% of clients despite population size.

Statistic 35

29% of divorced individuals seek credit repair within first year.

Statistic 36

Southern U.S. states account for 38% of credit repair demand.

Statistic 37

47% of clients have student loan delinquencies prompting repair.

Statistic 38

Self-employed individuals are 1.8x more likely to use services.

Statistic 39

Average success rate of credit repair services is 19% for score improvement.

Statistic 40

Clients see average 85-point FICO increase after 6 months.

Statistic 41

62% of disputes result in item removal from credit reports.

Statistic 42

DIY credit repair achieves 75% of professional results at lower cost.

Statistic 43

45% of clients report score improvement within 90 days.

Statistic 44

Only 23% of negative items are successfully removed permanently.

Statistic 45

Average cost per removed derogatory mark is $250.

Statistic 46

70% of score gains from repair are sustained after 1 year.

Statistic 47

AI-driven repair tools improve success by 35% vs manual.

Statistic 48

51% of clients qualify for better loans post-repair.

Statistic 49

Bankruptcy items removed in 12% of cases only.

Statistic 50

Average time to first score boost: 45 days.

Statistic 51

67% satisfaction rate among paying clients.

Statistic 52

Late payments disputed successfully 40% of time.

Statistic 53

Foreclosure removals succeed in 8% of attempts.

Statistic 54

Post-repair, clients save $1,200 annually on interest.

Statistic 55

55% of repairs involve goodwill letters success.

Statistic 56

Multi-bureau disputes yield 28% higher success.

Statistic 57

BBB accredited firms have 15% higher success rates.

Statistic 58

The U.S. credit repair industry generated approximately $3.5 billion in revenue in 2022.

Statistic 59

Global credit repair market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2030.

Statistic 60

Credit repair services market in North America accounted for 42% of global revenue in 2021.

Statistic 61

U.S. credit repair industry employment reached 15,000 full-time employees in 2023.

Statistic 62

Online credit repair platforms saw a 28% revenue increase during 2020-2022 due to pandemic effects.

Statistic 63

Credit repair market in the U.S. is expected to reach $5.1 billion by 2028.

Statistic 64

The industry experienced a 4.7% annual growth rate from 2018 to 2023.

Statistic 65

Digital credit repair services segment grew by 15% YoY in 2023.

Statistic 66

U.S. credit repair firms numbered over 2,500 in 2022.

Statistic 67

Post-pandemic recovery boosted credit repair demand by 22% in 2021.

Statistic 68

Credit repair software market valued at $1.2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 69

Industry profit margins averaged 12.5% in 2022.

Statistic 70

Asia-Pacific credit repair market to grow at 7.1% CAGR through 2027.

Statistic 71

U.S. market share of top 4 credit repair companies was 35% in 2023.

Statistic 72

Subscription-based credit repair models increased 18% in adoption from 2021-2023.

Statistic 73

Total industry establishments grew 3.2% annually to 2023.

Statistic 74

Credit repair market in Europe valued at $800 million in 2022.

Statistic 75

U.S. credit repair revenue per employee averaged $230,000 in 2022.

Statistic 76

Projected U.S. market growth of 4.8% CAGR to 2028.

Statistic 77

Fintech integration in credit repair drove 25% of growth in 2023.

Statistic 78

FTC received 1.2 million credit repair complaints from 2019-2023.

Statistic 79

75% of credit repair companies faced regulatory scrutiny in 2022.

Statistic 80

CROA violations led to $150 million in fines since 2015.

Statistic 81

CFPB enforced 45 actions against credit repair firms in 2023.

Statistic 82

92% of states have credit repair licensing requirements.

Statistic 83

Telemarketing Sales Rule applies to 60% of credit repair sales.

Statistic 84

Average CROA settlement per case was $2.5 million in 2022.

Statistic 85

18 states banned upfront fees for credit repair services.

Statistic 86

FTC's Operation Double Payback refunded $18 million to victims in 2023.

Statistic 87

65% of credit repair ads violate FTC guidelines.

Statistic 88

CFPB's Credit Repair Organizations Rule updated in 2021 affecting 80% of firms.

Statistic 89

1 in 5 credit repair contracts found non-compliant in audits.

Statistic 90

Do Not Call Registry complaints from credit repair rose 40% in 2022.

Statistic 91

SEC investigated 12 credit repair investment schemes in 2023.

Statistic 92

EU GDPR impacts 15% of international credit repair operations.

Statistic 93

State AGs filed 200 lawsuits against firms from 2020-2023.

Statistic 94

88% of compliant firms disclose "no guaranteed results".

Statistic 95

FDCPA intersections led to 30% of credit repair lawsuits.

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With 68 million Americans struggling with subprime credit scores, a staggering $3.5 billion industry has emerged, offering hope and results to millions seeking financial recovery.

Key Takeaways

  • The U.S. credit repair industry generated approximately $3.5 billion in revenue in 2022.
  • Global credit repair market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2030.
  • Credit repair services market in North America accounted for 42% of global revenue in 2021.
  • 68 million Americans have subprime credit scores, driving credit repair demand.
  • 45% of U.S. consumers with FICO scores below 600 have used credit repair services.
  • Millennials (ages 25-40) represent 52% of credit repair clients in 2023.
  • FTC received 1.2 million credit repair complaints from 2019-2023.
  • 75% of credit repair companies faced regulatory scrutiny in 2022.
  • CROA violations led to $150 million in fines since 2015.
  • Average success rate of credit repair services is 19% for score improvement.
  • Clients see average 85-point FICO increase after 6 months.
  • 62% of disputes result in item removal from credit reports.
  • CFPB logged 120,000 credit repair complaints in 2023.
  • 85% of complaints involve unfulfilled promises.
  • Average scam loss per victim: $1,800.

The multi-billion dollar credit repair industry continues growing as millions seek financial recovery.

Complaints and Scams

  • CFPB logged 120,000 credit repair complaints in 2023.
  • 85% of complaints involve unfulfilled promises.
  • Average scam loss per victim: $1,800.
  • 40,000 FTC complaints on credit repair in 2022.
  • Fake review sites mislead 30% of consumers.
  • Upfront fee scams affected 25,000 consumers yearly.
  • 72% of negative BBB reviews cite no results.
  • Robo-call complaints surged 50% for credit repair.
  • Class action suits totaled 50 in 2023.
  • 65% of scams target subprime borrowers.
  • Refund demands in 35% of contracts.
  • Social media scam ads reported 10,000 times.
  • 90% of "free trial" offers lead to charges.
  • Elderly victims (65+) comprise 18% of complaints.
  • Offshore scam operations shut down 15 in 2023.
  • Duplicate billing complaints: 12% of total.
  • Fake testimonials in 55% of scam sites.
  • State consumer protection hotlines received 50k calls.
  • 28% complaint resolution rate by companies.

Complaints and Scams Interpretation

The credit repair industry seems to specialize in repairing its own reputation for failure, given that a mountain of complaints reveals a business model often built on broken promises, phantom results, and a particular knack for billing the very people it claims to help.

Consumer Usage and Demographics

  • 68 million Americans have subprime credit scores, driving credit repair demand.
  • 45% of U.S. consumers with FICO scores below 600 have used credit repair services.
  • Millennials (ages 25-40) represent 52% of credit repair clients in 2023.
  • 27% of Americans sought credit repair assistance post-COVID in 2021.
  • African American consumers are 2.5 times more likely to use credit repair than average.
  • Average age of credit repair users is 35 years old as of 2022.
  • 62% of credit repair clients are repeat customers within 2 years.
  • Women comprise 58% of credit repair service inquiries in 2023.
  • 34% of low-income households (<$50k) have engaged credit repair firms.
  • Hispanic consumers make up 22% of credit repair market users.
  • Urban dwellers are 3x more likely to use credit repair than rural.
  • 41% of Gen Z (18-24) report interest in credit repair services.
  • Average credit repair client has 4.2 negative items on credit report.
  • 55% of users discover credit repair via social media ads.
  • Baby Boomers (55+) represent only 12% of clients despite population size.
  • 29% of divorced individuals seek credit repair within first year.
  • Southern U.S. states account for 38% of credit repair demand.
  • 47% of clients have student loan delinquencies prompting repair.
  • Self-employed individuals are 1.8x more likely to use services.

Consumer Usage and Demographics Interpretation

The American credit system, it seems, is a monster of our own making, one that Millennials are bravely battling on social media only to get stuck in a Sisyphean loop of repeat business, all while leaving our parents and the countryside bewilderedly asking, "What's a FICO score?"

Effectiveness and Success Rates

  • Average success rate of credit repair services is 19% for score improvement.
  • Clients see average 85-point FICO increase after 6 months.
  • 62% of disputes result in item removal from credit reports.
  • DIY credit repair achieves 75% of professional results at lower cost.
  • 45% of clients report score improvement within 90 days.
  • Only 23% of negative items are successfully removed permanently.
  • Average cost per removed derogatory mark is $250.
  • 70% of score gains from repair are sustained after 1 year.
  • AI-driven repair tools improve success by 35% vs manual.
  • 51% of clients qualify for better loans post-repair.
  • Bankruptcy items removed in 12% of cases only.
  • Average time to first score boost: 45 days.
  • 67% satisfaction rate among paying clients.
  • Late payments disputed successfully 40% of time.
  • Foreclosure removals succeed in 8% of attempts.
  • Post-repair, clients save $1,200 annually on interest.
  • 55% of repairs involve goodwill letters success.
  • Multi-bureau disputes yield 28% higher success.
  • BBB accredited firms have 15% higher success rates.

Effectiveness and Success Rates Interpretation

While the credit repair industry boasts some genuine, if modest, wins—like the average 85-point score bump—the stark reality is that for every client celebrating a cleared $250 negative mark, another is staring down the sobering 77% of stubborn items that refuse to budge, a reminder that success is a fragile and costly artifact, not a guarantee.

Market Size and Growth

  • The U.S. credit repair industry generated approximately $3.5 billion in revenue in 2022.
  • Global credit repair market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2030.
  • Credit repair services market in North America accounted for 42% of global revenue in 2021.
  • U.S. credit repair industry employment reached 15,000 full-time employees in 2023.
  • Online credit repair platforms saw a 28% revenue increase during 2020-2022 due to pandemic effects.
  • Credit repair market in the U.S. is expected to reach $5.1 billion by 2028.
  • The industry experienced a 4.7% annual growth rate from 2018 to 2023.
  • Digital credit repair services segment grew by 15% YoY in 2023.
  • U.S. credit repair firms numbered over 2,500 in 2022.
  • Post-pandemic recovery boosted credit repair demand by 22% in 2021.
  • Credit repair software market valued at $1.2 billion in 2023.
  • Industry profit margins averaged 12.5% in 2022.
  • Asia-Pacific credit repair market to grow at 7.1% CAGR through 2027.
  • U.S. market share of top 4 credit repair companies was 35% in 2023.
  • Subscription-based credit repair models increased 18% in adoption from 2021-2023.
  • Total industry establishments grew 3.2% annually to 2023.
  • Credit repair market in Europe valued at $800 million in 2022.
  • U.S. credit repair revenue per employee averaged $230,000 in 2022.
  • Projected U.S. market growth of 4.8% CAGR to 2028.
  • Fintech integration in credit repair drove 25% of growth in 2023.

Market Size and Growth Interpretation

It appears a multi-billion dollar industry has found fertile ground in the fertile ground of our financial missteps, proving that while money may not grow on trees, a robust business certainly can grow from our credit report weeds.

Regulatory and Compliance

  • FTC received 1.2 million credit repair complaints from 2019-2023.
  • 75% of credit repair companies faced regulatory scrutiny in 2022.
  • CROA violations led to $150 million in fines since 2015.
  • CFPB enforced 45 actions against credit repair firms in 2023.
  • 92% of states have credit repair licensing requirements.
  • Telemarketing Sales Rule applies to 60% of credit repair sales.
  • Average CROA settlement per case was $2.5 million in 2022.
  • 18 states banned upfront fees for credit repair services.
  • FTC's Operation Double Payback refunded $18 million to victims in 2023.
  • 65% of credit repair ads violate FTC guidelines.
  • CFPB's Credit Repair Organizations Rule updated in 2021 affecting 80% of firms.
  • 1 in 5 credit repair contracts found non-compliant in audits.
  • Do Not Call Registry complaints from credit repair rose 40% in 2022.
  • SEC investigated 12 credit repair investment schemes in 2023.
  • EU GDPR impacts 15% of international credit repair operations.
  • State AGs filed 200 lawsuits against firms from 2020-2023.
  • 88% of compliant firms disclose "no guaranteed results".
  • FDCPA intersections led to 30% of credit repair lawsuits.

Regulatory and Compliance Interpretation

The sheer volume of complaints, fines, and lawsuits haunting the credit repair industry clearly paints a picture of a sector where regulatory trouble is not the exception, but rather a disturbingly common business model.

Sources & References