We recently stumbled across a website that was set up to appear as the personal site of a credit repair law firm’s client. In other words, this client was so happy with this law firm that he built an entire website singing their praises.

Now being in the industry and having some basic knowledge of search engine optimization, it was clear to me that it was a fake website set up by the company.

How did I know?

The verbiage was too perfect. The entire page was perfectly optimized with every phrase like credit report repair, legal credit repair services and “how to improve my credit score fast” all hyperlinked to the credit repair firms site. Meta tags were perfectly written for search engines and well, it was just obvious (or that’s one dedicated client who also happens to be a search engine expert)

The website as disgusting as it was, didn’t surprise me. It did make me wonder how many sites like this were out there. We did a quick back link search and discovered there were thousands of them.

It turns out this website was an affiliate’s site. For every person that signs up with the credit repair company via clicking a link from that site, that person gets a referral fee.

The problem I have with this practice is due to the industry we’re in and the regulations surrounding it. Credit Repair is a very sleazy industry where integrity and transparency are paramount.

Since were bonded, registered with the Attorney General and The Secretary of State, you’d be amazed at the scrutiny were under. Even our no questions asked guarantee took weeks to get approved; and there in lies the problem with affiliate sites.

That credit repair company is using a company called Commission Junction; where anybody can just start advertising for that credit repair company by simply placing a piece of code on their site which will regulate the amount of commissions he generates.

Now this affiliate is not regulated under the Credit Repair Organizations Act and can say anything he wants to generate commissions.

He’s not liable; he’s not a credit repair company. The Credit Repair Company isn’t liable because it’s not them puffing the services. They are in a win / win situation, so who stands the best chances of losing?

YOU DO the customer! You think you’re reading honest praises by a satisfied customer, when what you’re really reading is a sales ad with no regard for law.

If this bogus site was selling I pods or purses I wouldn't have a problem, but in an industry plagued with sleaze and one dealing with your personal financial information, I think it’s despicable and I think the FTC Needs to step in and either apply the same regulation to the affiliate, or disallow them for this industry.

Now let me say I don't have a problem with affiliates, what I do think is the merchant should take responsibility and take steps to make sure the affiliate selling the product isn't saying things that mislead consumers. They should be considered an extension of the company and follow the same regulations. I have considered affiliate programs myself and if I did, I would make sure the content was legal, honest and truthful.

Let us know your thoughts.