Restraining order stops Springfield credit-repair scam

The Sept. 27 order was sought after at least 17 consumers filed complaints against Tim Holthaus, owner of Success Systems, according to a news release from Nixon’s office. Consumers said they paid membership fees of $495 on the promise of improved credit scores but received little or no help.

“Mr. Holthaus has made a habit of preying upon people whose credit was bad and were willing to pay hundreds of dollars for what they thought was a quick fix,” Nixon said in the news release. “Negative, but accurate, information on your credit report can only be removed through the gradual buildup of good credit. Anyone who says otherwise is trying to sell you services that won’t help.”

Holthaus has claimed that Success Systems provided credit-repair services, and Nixon alleges that Holthaus previously operated Dreamlife, an Internet company touting similar services.

Consumer complaints to Nixon’s office stated that the consumers involved saw no improvement in their credit reports, and they were unable to cancel their memberships and receive their money back as guaranteed.

“We will do everything we can to ensure that those who parted with nearly $500 and got nothing in return will get that money back, and that he is prevented from continuing such fraudulent activity under a new name,” Nixon said, noting that Holthaus has falsely represented Success Systems as a legitimate credited services organization and a fully licensed mortgage banking institution.

The temporary restraining order asks the court to order Holthaus to pay restitution to consumers who paid the membership fee for credit repair services; to make a payment to the Missouri Merchandising Practices Revolving Fund; to pay a civil penalty of $1,000 per violation of state consumer protection laws to the Greene County School Fund; and to pay all court and investigative costs associated with the case. [[In-content Ad]]