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  • 1. What tactics are debt collectors prohibited by law from doing? Views: 55 Public
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    Terms of Use: The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act applies to those who collect debts owed to creditors for personal, family and household debts, including car loans, mortgages, charge accounts and money owed for medical bills. A debt collector is someone hired to collect money owed by you. A debt collector may not: Contact you at unreasonable times or places, for example, before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., unless you agree, or at work if you tell the debt collector your employer disapproves  More...
  • 2. What's a tax refund loan? Views: 51 Public
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    Terms of Use Tax refund loans, also called instant refund loans , or refund anticipation loans , target lower income consumers, but many other moderate-income families fall victim to these offers, as well. For a loan fee ranging from $30 to $115, you receive a loan for the amount of your refund (usually up to $5,000) within one to two days. When your refund is received in a special bank account set up by the lender, the loan is repaid. Cash-strapped taxpayers have paid outrageous loan, a  More...
  • 3. What things should I consider when selecting a credit card? Views: 48 Public
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    Terms of Use Consider and compare all terms, including the following, before you select a card: Annual Percentage Rate (APR) - the cost of credit as a yearly rate. Free or Grace Period - allows you to avoid any finance charge by paying your balance in full before the due date. If there is no free period, you will pay a finance charge from the date of the transaction, even if you pay your entire balance when you receive your bill. Fees and Charges - most issuers charge an annual fee; some a  More...
  • 4. Basics about bankruptcy Views: 47 Public
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    Terms of Use: When the amount of debt you have seems impossible to ever repay, one of the options you may consider is filing bankruptcy. This option, of course, should never be entered into lightly. Be sure that you have researched the pros and cons, and that you have considered alternatives to taking this drastic step. Discharging your Debts Having your debts erased is called getting a discharge of your debts. A discharge is actually a court order that proclaims that you do not have to pa  More...
  • 5. What can't creditors ask me when I apply for credit and what are my rights? Views: 47 Public
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    Terms of Use When you apply for credit, a creditor may not: Ask about or consider your sex, race, national origin or religion Ask about your marital status or your spouse, unless you are applying for a joint account or relying on your spouse's income or you live in a community property state (Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Washington) Ask about your plans to have or raise children Refuse to consider reliable public assistance income or regularly r  More...
  • 6. Getting a handle on debt: His, hers, and ours Views: 47 Public
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    Terms of Use In order for you to get a handle on your debt, it's important to list everything you owe. Pull together the most recent bills you received, and enter the total amount due on the worksheet provided below. Be sure to add additional line items as needed. Item Amount Home Mortgage or Rent Car Personal Loans Student Loans Credit Cards VISA MasterCard American Express Gas Card Departme  More...
  • 7. Medical bills Views: 46 Public
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    Terms of Use Did you know that bankruptcies resulting from unpaid medical bills will affect nearly 2 million people this year? Unpaid medical bills are the number one cause of bankruptcy filing in the U.S. today, outpacing bankruptcies caused by credit card bills or unpaid mortgages. The data finds that most of those who filed for bankruptcy were middle-class, well-educated homeowners and carried health insurance. Since bankruptcy is an extreme measure, perhaps there are steps you can take no  More...
  • 8. Basics about debt Views: 46 Public
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    Terms of U se High debt and misuse of credit cards make it tough to save for retirement. Money that goes to pay interest, late fees, and old bills is money that could earn money for retirement and other goals. How much debt is too much debt? Debt isn't necessarily bad, but too much debt is. Add up what you pay monthly in car loans, student loans, credit card and charge card loans, personal loans - everything but your mortgage. Divide that total by the money you bring home each month. The r  More...
  • 9. Are credit repair companies a good source to turn to for help in repairing my credit? Views: 46 Public
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    Terms of Use: Credit repair companies advertise that they can erase bad credit and create a new credit identity legally, all for a hefty fee. Don't believe it . No one can legally remove accurate and timely negative information from a credit report. No credit repair company can do anything you can't do for yourself for free. Only time, hard work, and a personal debt repayment plan will improve your credit report. If you need assistance, you have several options. Credit counseling serv  More...
  • 10. Basics about Payday Loans and other check cashing services Views: 45 Public
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    Terms of Use: Friendly looking people proclaiming the benefits. Smiling representatives, extending a hand. The ads for payday loans and check cashing services are appealing and perhaps you've been tempted to check them out. What is a payday loan? Payday loans are usually small, short-term, high-rate loans intended to get you cash before payday. The idea is that once you receive your paycheck, you'll pay off the loan. These loans may also be called cash advance loans, check advance loans or p  More...
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