Thursday, July 5, 2012
Evidence Preservation for Wrongful Credit Reporting and for Abusive Debt Collection Law Suits
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Credit Repair Answers | Credit Solutions
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
15 Things that Credit Collectors Cannot Do
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
FDCPA How To Use IT To Get Out Of Credit Card Debt
Monday, June 4, 2012
Credit Harassment Must Stop
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Great Educational Credit Tips By "Regina Littles
Friday, May 11, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
How Often Do Creditors Report to the Credit Bureaus?
Credit reports provide great details about a person including name, birth date, Social security number, home address, how payments are made, income, employment history, home ownership, previous address, court cases, judgments, and bankruptcy and foreclosure records.
Above all it gives details about a person's credit history. These include all the creditors with balances and accounts that are closed or in collections. It will also indicate if there are any late payments, and any other irregularity. In addition it will also list the requests for that credit report by creditors during the past year and requests for credit reports including those by employers for the past two years.
These reports are maintained by three nationwide credit bureaus which use slightly different sources to compile the information. Based on the information they have credit bureaus calculate a figure called the credit score. The three credit bureaus Equifax, Transunion, Experian use different formulas to arrive at their score. The credit score can be considered a mathematical way of determining the likelihood of the borrower paying back a loan.
This information can be accessed by creditors, insurers, employers, and others who have been legitimately allowed access subject to conditions through The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). It is clear that accurate information in the credit report is important to everyone concerned not only for the person about whom it is concerned but to anyone else who may want to rely on it for decision making. As such it is important to understand how the credit report is compiled and the accuracy of the information and sources on which that compilation is made.
It is important to know how and at what frequency credit information reaches the credit bureau. On examination of their procedure, it is clear that frequency of reporting varies depending on the creditor. While some creditors will report any changes in the customers' balances every day, others will report once a month or at longer periods. This is mainly due to efficacy reasons, since with most people there will not be much of a change in credit balances. Because of that creditors will only report if there are any changes in the credit balances. This therefore means that for some people their credit report will get updated about once a month while others may not see any change in their credit reports for 3 or 6 months. On the other hand creditors will report late payments and other negative activities quite promptly.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Credit Boot-Camp™ How To: Stop Debt Collector Harassment
Friday, March 2, 2012
Remove Late Payment From Your Credit Report
Late payments are not created equal; a 30 or 60 day late pay will not damage your score much, and can often be removed. However a 90 day or 120 day will cause significant damage to your score.
This mark can be deleted by the lender as a way to keep your business and keep you happy. We suggest you contact the lender and ask them to delete it.
A phone call and a letter including the reason is the most effective method. Also be respectful and nice to them because they do not have to remove it.
A 90 or 120 day mark is much harder to erase. If you account is still open, we suggest you contact the lender.
Make sure your account is up to date before you ask them to remove the mark. Lenders will often make this decision based upon your payment history and the frequency of delinquency.
If they will not remove it then we suggest you file a dispute directly with the bureaus. This is done through a letter; you can create it or hire a service to do on your behalf.
The negative item will be on your report for a maximum of seven years. Your account will go to a collection agency after 180 days of delinquency.
A lender can remove it because they report monthly to the bureaus and can choose what to report. Thus if they do not report your late payment the next month then it will not be on your credit report.
You will find it very difficult to have the lender erase this mark if your account is not up to date. Additionally there is information that claims negative marks must stay for seven years.
This is not true; any item can be removed at any point in time, the maximum amount of time an item can remain is seven years. There are a few exceptions such as a bankruptcy. However the Fair Credit Reporting Act clearly says that the maximum amount of time is seven years. There is no minimum amount of time and can thus be removed at any time.
In sum if you can not negotiate removal with the lender you should dispute it. This is done through a letter written yourself or by hiring a service.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Stop Berks Credit and Collections!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Served a Summons Or Credit Card Debt Lawsuit - Don't Call the Creditor!
I receive e-mails every week from people who have had the misfortune of receiving a summons notice on their doorstep or the joy of having a stranger sidle up to them and say, "You've been served."
Not fun. Oftentimes, these same people tell me that the first thing they did was to pick up the phone, call the collection agent or collection attorney in many cases and try to work out a payment plan or settlement agreement. This is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.
Once you have been served a summons, this means that the collection agency is SUING YOU. You are being sued and the collection agency is now the Plaintiff and you are the Defendant. Any and ALL communication with the Plaintiff should be done via written correspondence only.
It's too late for "I'll send you $50 buck a month, I promise." Way too late. Now is the time to take responsibility for your financial future and face your fears (debt) head on. Even if the collector was to agree to a payment plan, they cannot be trusted. While you are "working it out" they could be in the process of putting a lien on your property and searching for your bank account information in order to seize your assets.
Here's what you need to do. First of all, DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED. This is difficult, after all I'm sure you feel badly about the debt in the first place and it's probably been haunting you for years. The sad truth is that many of these debt lawsuits are brought about on out-of-statute debt and the collection agencies and debt attorneys are notorious for re-aging the DOLA or Date of Last Activity on your credit report. It's in your best interest to dig up any old credit reports and bank statements to prove the the date of the last payment you made on the defaulted account. If that date is past your state's statute of limitations on open credit card debt, they have the right to try and collect, but they cannot sue you and must drop the lawsuit.
Additionally, very rarely is a debtor sued for the actual amount they owe...penalties, interest, and other assorted fees are generally tacked on to the balance. Make them prove their case!
There are many other defenses that can be raised against one of these collectors. The key is that you need to communicate with them through the court system. They don't expect you to fight back, over 96% of debt lawsuits end in default judgment. The chances of them backing off and dropping the lawsuit are HUGE if you take the time to properly format what is called a Notice of Appearance, Answer, and Certificate of Service.
It takes some time and research to properly file these documents, but it's your financial future at stake. A default judgment can not only freeze your bank account or garnish your wages but it will also ruin your credit for a minimum of 7 years. A few states offer basic templates for the forms you will need to file with the court, a simple Google search should offer up some resources. You can purchase Word templates (w/ affirmative defenses for third-party debt collectors) for the "Answer to Complaint" document and more at www.IHaveBeenServed.Info and alternatively there are very helpful people on several internet "debt" message boards who can offer up advice when drafting your own documents.
Additionally, you should fax and mail (certified, return receipt) a Cease & Desist Letter to the creditor informing them that they must communicate you with via written correspondence only and now that they know how to communicate with you they must refrain from contacting any of your neighbors, friends, relatives or employees in an attempt to collect their debt. If they violate your request, you can threaten to sue them for an infraction of the FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) which allows $1,000 for each violation.
Now is the time to action. If you do nothing, the creditors will find your assets and take them. Bottom line. File your Answer and other supporting documents and wait and see. The best that can happen? They won't want to fight you in court and drop the lawsuit (they rarely have the supporting documentation to back up their claims) or you'll receive a courtdate and you'll be given the chance to work out a settlement agreement at that time. Either way you will have avoided a default judgement which is looked upon as poorly as bankruptcy in many cases.
Fight back! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Friday, February 10, 2012
The Credit Dr Sues Attorney Collection Sevices Inc "Part 1"
Thursday, February 9, 2012
What Is The Credit Score Rating Scale?
Understanding your credit score rating scale can seem like an overwhelming and almost impossible prospect. A credit rating scale can be confusing, especially if you have trouble with numeric systems. In a scale you have several numbers that all mean something different. Even though it can be a hard and overwhelming to try to understand your rating scale, doing so can be rewarding and a necessity in fixing it if need be.
One of the first things you should look at it is how exactly your credit score rating scale is composed and put together. Companies look at a couple of different aspects to put it together. One thing that determines how your credit rating is put together is your past payment history. This includes how well you pay your bills and whether or not you pay them on time or not. This aspect also includes any outstanding debt, too much can make your credit rating lean towards the lower end. Something else that is considered is your credit history in general. Beginners as well as a poor one can lower it as well. Sometimes if you are just starting out it may be even lower than someone who has a history that is poor.
Other things that are considered as part of a credit score rating scale are any credit applications or inquiries into your credit. Too many of either can lower your score and reflect poorly on you and your score. Different types of loans and credit can also have an affect as well. Balances that are too high and the number of balances that are too high can be a bad sign to a credit reporter as well. High interest rates can even be a negative mark as well.
On the rating scale a score of seven hundred or more is excellent and someone with this type of score should have no problems with credit or interest rates. While those with scores around six hundred and fifty to four hundred and fifty will have some difficulty obtaining credit, though could still have a chance. A lot of times those who fall on this part of the scale will have to secure any loan they apply for with some type of collateral. Those who fall below four hundred and fifty will most likely not get approved at all, whether secured or not. These people need to find a solution to their credit problems and a way to improve where they fall on the scale if they wish to stand any chance at all.
Speaking of help in rising where you fall on the credit score rating scale there are a lot of places to start from. Free credit counseling is available if you know where to look and will greatly help you if you are in need. These credit counselors will not only help you improve your score but can also help you get back on track and be more responsible in the future to avoid the problem again.
After sifting through all the information and getting your bearings you can learn a lot. Things may not be so overwhelming after all. When it comes to the credit score rating scale and understanding it, all it takes is a little patience, which in the end can be well worth it.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Annual Credit Report - For Free
Most people, who are not financially savvy, do not pay too much attention to their credit reports. What they do not know is that their credit standing is affected tremendously when they fail to pay certain payments. Only a credit report will help you get an idea as to where you stand. These reports can show what interest rate you are charged when you take a loan or apply for a mortgage because you do not want to get slapped on with high rates.
You can easily ask your bank to provide you with an annual credit report and they will do this. There are a number of advantages of having access to this information. Over and above being aware of your credit rating you can also protect yourself from threats like identity theft and credit card fraud. However, when you avail of a free annual credit report you may not be able to remember if you made certain spends or not, therefore, not allowing you to take advantage of the report.
A number of credit monitoring agencies provide you with services that involve tracking your credit status. They will check your spends and if there is any unusual activity they will warn you and take appropriate care. Identity theft can also be tracked when your accounts are being tracked on a daily basis by a professional credit monitoring company. These companies, however, will charge you a fee and will not give you an annual report for free.
Your bank could also provide you with the service of credit monitoring if you instructed them to do so, at a nominal fee and generate reports for you on a monthly basis. The most important reason for doing this on a regular basis as opposed to getting an annual credit report is that you will be able to check any lapse on your part. If you have been unable to meet a few financial obligations, your report will warn you by giving access to your credit standing. You can take appropriate measures and get your credit rating back to a positive standing accordingly.
But spending just a few dollars and you can make sure that you do not have to pay high interest rates again because of a few lapses. Take charge of your finance and you will be able to achieve a rating that is worthy of getting the prime rate interests.
Based on the stated facts in your annual report, you will be able to get prime interest rate from a bank, without the need to convince them. Current prime interest rate is the lowest rate that the bank charges its special customer and this customer enjoys certain creditworthiness with the bank. This type of rate makes a loan less expensive. Current prime interest rate is very crucial as it has the apparent ability to impact the liquidity of the financial sector.