Month: January 2012

It is a new year and a good time to make a fresh start. The past few years have been a financial strain for most Americans. Let’s start the new year on a positive note.  Here are a few smart tips for avoiding financial stress, improving your credit, and protecting yourself against abusive debt collectors. […]

RULE 1:  Check your credit reports on an annual basis.  You can order your credit report FREE annually.  All of the three nationwide credit agencies, Transunion, Equifax and Experian are required offer you one free report every twelve months.  You an order all three of the reports by contacting annualcredit report.com. RULE 2:  If you have […]

You recently obtained a copy of your credit report and notice an old debt that is hurting your score.  You do not know whether you should pay it.  There are many factors to consider.  First, look at the age of the debt.  Every state has a different statute of limitations that covers how long a […]

Paying your bills late can have a serious impact on your credit report because your creditors and the credit bureaus report those late payments .  The more recent your delinquency, the more it will have a negative impact on your score.  Over time, the effect of the delinquency begins to diminish.   Negative information, including a […]

Last month, the United States Appellate Court, 10th Circuit, handed down its opinion in Marx v. General Revenue Corporation, and it does not bode well for consumers.  In this case, the debt collector sent a fax to Marx’s employer seeking information on her employment status.  Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Section 1692c(b) a […]

Have you ever bought a car and thought, after driving it for a while, thought that you have a lemon? If your recently purchased automobile has been in the repair shop frequently, you may have purchased a lemon. How do you determine if your vehicle is a lemon? 1. Look at the manufacture, mileage and […]

An estimated 11 million Americans discovered that they were victims of some form of identity theft last year. Everyone is susceptible to identity theft; the young or old, rich or poor, even minors. Here are some important tips and facts about identity theft so you can avoid becoming a victim. 1. Thieves do not need […]