🎙️Episode 21: New Year, Same Scams Series - Episode 1:The Credit Repair Scam That Could But Shouldn’t Have

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Every January, people promise themselves a fresh start, especially when it comes to money and credit. But for thousands of consumers, the promise of fast credit repair turned into years of financial damage and federal prison sentences. In this episode of Black Coffee, Crime, and Crochet, Jasmine kicks off the New Year, Same Scams series with a deep dive into one of the longest running credit repair fraud operations in the United States, led by Kevin Edward Hargrave and his wife Latrese Hargrave. For more than fifteen years, the Hargraves ran a revolving door of credit repair businesses, charged illegal upfront fees, filed false identity theft disputes, ignored federal court orders, and continued scamming consumers even after being permanently banned from the industry. What started as a so called credit repair service eventually became a federal conspiracy involving wire fraud, tax fraud, and millions of dollars in losses. This episode breaks down how the scheme worked, why it targeted financially vulnerable communities, and how ignoring the fine print can cost more than money. It can cost your freedom.

In today’s episode, Jasmine launches a brand new podcast series, New Year, Same Scams, by unpacking the true story behind one of the most persistent credit repair fraud operations ever prosecuted.

Iced Coffee of the Week

Vanilla almond milk cold brew with white chocolate and a splash of caramel. Smooth, dependable, and exactly how credit repair should be. Slow, boring, and legal.

Case Overview

This episode focuses on Kevin Edward Hargrave and Latrese Hargrave, a married couple who jointly operated multiple credit repair businesses that falsely promised consumers fast and guaranteed credit score improvements. Despite being warned, sued, fined, and permanently banned from the credit repair industry by the federal government, the Hargraves continued operating under new business names and front companies for years.

Sip or Spill Question

If the credit system was not built for you, is it wrong to look for shortcuts?
Where does survival end and fraud begin, especially when fast fixes feel like the only option?

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If you know someone who is working on their credit, thinking about credit repair, or needs to hear this episode before paying someone promising fast results, share it with them. That matters more than you think.

SOURCES
Kevin Edward Hargrave and Latrese Hargrave

Department of Justice, Middle District of Florida
Georgia man sentenced to five years in prison for tax fraud and operation of bogus credit repair businesses
Press release dated February 2, 2024 United States v. Kevin Edward Hargrave
Criminal Information and Plea Agreement
Case No. 3:22 cr 113, Middle District of Florida Federal Trade Commission v. Latrese and Kevin Enterprises Inc.
United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
Case No. 3:08 cv 1001
FTC Complaint and Permanent Injunction Federal Trade Commission
Court halts credit repair scammers in response to FTC contempt charges
Press release dated June 7, 2012 Civil Contempt Order
Federal Trade Commission v. Latrese and Kevin Enterprises Inc.
Judgment ordering 6.4 million dollars in consumer redress
Issued November 19, 2012 Florida Times Union
After years of complaints Jacksonville credit repair firm boss draws five year prison term
Coverage of sentencing and case background Get Out of Debt Guy
Steve Rhode
Analysis of Hargrave credit repair contempt case and FTC enforcement history Better Business Bureau
WSA Optimization Firm Inc business profile and consumer complaints Court records and sentencing memoranda
United States District Court, Middle District of Florida