Brazil faces surge in debt‑cleaning services and related scams

More than 70 million Brazilians were listed as delinquent in May 2026, according to Serasa Experian, prompting many to seek ways to remove negative records from their CPF. Serasa offers a free "Limpa Nome" platform that lets consumers view all debts, negotiate discounts that can reach up to 90 % for certain credit‑card or loan balances, and potentially raise their credit score by hundreds of points within months. The service can be accessed via the Serasa website or app without affecting the score, and the Central Bank’s Registrato tool provides an additional free overview of banking obligations.

At the same time, consumer‑rights groups warn of a burgeoning "industry of name‑cleaning" scams that promise to erase debt through court orders while leaving the underlying obligations untouched. These fraudulent schemes often charge high fees, lure borrowers with low‑interest loan offers, and can lead users into further indebtedness. Analysts note Brazil’s high interest environment—Selic around 13‑14 %—exacerbates the risk, as new loans obtained after a false clean‑up may carry monthly rates of 6‑12 %. Regulators emphasize that only legitimate court‑mandated removals can clear a restriction, and that consumers should prioritize genuine debt renegotiation over dubious services.