Debt Management Vs. Debt Settlement Explained
Q: I Need Help With Credit Card Debt But Am Worried About Scam Companies. Can You Refer Me to a Good Debt-Elimination Program, and Explain the Difference Between a Debt Management Company and a Debt Settlement Firm? A: With the average U.S. household owing more than $10,000 in credit card debt, it’s no surprise that […]
Can I Be Held Responsible for Medical Bills My Ex-Spouse Generated?
Q: Can I Be Held Responsible for Medical Bills My Ex-Spouse Generated? She Was Covered on My Insurance Plan. We Just Signed Divorce Papers. A: With medical collection activity on the rise, it is definitely possible that a hospital, clinic or healthcare provider could come after you to pay off healthcare bills incurred by your […]
Thin Credit File Explained
If you have been told that you have a thin credit file, no credit file or no credit score, it is likely due to one of three causes: 1) You’ve Never Had Credit This would be the case if you’ve never had a traditional credit account, such as a car loan or credit card. Or […]
What is a Fraud Alert and How Do I Put One on My Credit File?
Fraud alerts help you thwart identity theft by preventing a crook from opening credit in your name. There are two types of Fraud Alerts: an Initial Alert and an Extended Alert. With an initial alert, an ID theft warning statement is placed on the bottom of your credit reports. This statement alerts your creditors that […]
What Steps Can I Take To Avoid Identity Theft?
Q: What Steps Can I Take To Avoid Identity Theft? A: To decrease your chances of falling victim to identity theft, you should shred sensitive documents before discarding them, never carry your social security card with you, and say no to anyone strangers who solicit you over the phone or via email and ask for […]
How to Handle a Credit File Dispute
Q: I disputed wrong info in my credit file but i’m not satisfied with the results. What else can I do? A: Anytime you dispute information in your credit files, and the issue is not resolved satisfactorily, you have several options: 1) You can add a 100-word Consumer Statement to your credit file 2) You […]
What’s The Fastest Way to Get the Credit Bureaus to Fix Mistakes In My Credit Reports?
You can dispute mistakes with the credit bureaus by mail or telephone, but you’ll get the fastest results if you initiate a dispute online. Here are the websites and phone numbers you should use for the credit bureaus when you contact them to dispute errors: http://www.investigate.equifax.com or 888-800-8859 http://www.Experian.com/disputes or 866-200-6020 http://www.Transunion.com/investigate or 800-916-8800 It’s […]
How to Dispute Mistakes In Your Credit Report
Consumers write to the credit bureaus for all manner of help. But unfortunately, many of these efforts are misguided. Sometimes people want assistance improving their credit scores. Other times, they may ask the credit bureaus about why an account is showing up negative – as if the credit bureau put that information on there, not […]
How to Remove Erroneous Information From Your Credit Report
When you see erroneous payment or status information in your credit file, you should take up that dispute with your creditor, before contacting the credit bureaus. Examples of the types of erroneous information you should dispute with a creditor include: Wrongfully reported late payments Maybe a creditor reported you as being 30 days past due, […]
How Credit Report Mistakes Happen
Consumer groups estimate that 70% of all credit reports have mistakes in them. That’s an awful lot of misinformation – and it could be costing you money. If you have errors in your credit file and you’re in the market for a loan, you could wind up paying a lot more in interest than you […]
How Can I Pay Off My Medical Bills?
Many people don’t realize that doctors are willing to negotiate costs with patients who don’t have healthcare coverage. Consumers can also use the strategies below if they have outstanding medical debts, or are planning to have a medical procedure, but they know that specific procedure won’t be covered by insurance. Follow the following five steps to lower your medical bills: […]
The Foreclosure Process Explained
The foreclosure crisis is wreaking havoc on millions of Americans. Between 2007 and 2009, there were more than 9 million foreclosure filings in the United States, according to Irvine-Calif.-based RealtyTrac, an online marketer of foreclosed homes. RealtyTrac’s foreclosure statistics count all types of foreclosure letters, including default notices, auction notices and bank repossessions. Unfortunately the […]
Making Home Affordable Explained
If you’ve tried negotiating with your mortgage lender, have adjusted your budget, and done everything in your power to pay your house note, but have still come up short – it may be time to seek government assistance. Part of President Barack Obama’s $75 billion mortgage rescue plan is aimed at helping people avoid foreclosure […]
What Should I Do If I Can’t Afford My Car?
If you’re in over your head with an expensive car note, it’s time to think about getting from underneath that burden. Here are some options for dealing with overdue car payments or other issues when you’re struggling to pay for your vehicle: Get a Payment Extension If your financial difficulties are temporary, or if you […]
I’m a Shopaholic. How Can I Stop Over-Spending?
If we’re honest with ourselves, many of us will admit that so much of what we spend money on – and why we spend money – is tied to our emotional state. Sometimes we spend money completely on a whim because something struck us a being a “must have” item in that moment. Later, that […]