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Zombie debt collection is on the rise.  Zombie debt also known as Phantom debt is an extremely old or even fictitious debt that has returned “from the dead” to “haunt” the debtor.  That amount owed on the debt can somehow grow to thousands of dollars when it was originally for a few pennies or never even owed in the first place.  While the concept of zombie debt has been around for a long time, it has recently gained much attention as consumer complaints regarding this type of debt continue to grow.

01 June, 2018

With Tax Return Day just a few days behind us, those who filed on time are more than likely already thinking about what they will get back.  Statistics show that approximately two-thirds of Americans who file taxes on time will receive a refund.  While most consumers make plans for how they are going to spend the money on vacations, home improvements, a new car, consider using your income tax refund to improve your credit.  

23 May, 2018

Don't let anyone trick you, there are only some instances in which you can be required to show your credit report, and even then, only if you give consent to it. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), is the federal statute that was created to ensure accuracy and privacy of consumer information.  Its purpose is to protect consumers from distribution of inaccurate information contained in reports as well as the privacy of their information.  To this end, the FCRA sets guidelines on who can access a report and when the access is permissible. 

19 May, 2018

One of the most frequently asked questions when a loved one dies is “does my loved one’s debt live on or die with them?”  While mourning the loss of a loved can be difficult, the added stress of dealing with their debt can exacerbate these feelings of loss. Are you responsible for what your loved one left behind?  Does your loved one’s debt live on or is it buried with them? The simple answer……it depends.

16 May, 2018

It may seem like an impossible feat, but boosting your credit score does not have to be as difficult as you think. Maintaining a good credit score can be as simple as following directions and committing to being financially responsible.  

12 May, 2018
The first thing any consumer should do when hearing from a collector is to determine if the debt is time-barred.  That is, did the statute of limitations expire on this debt. The statute of limitations, as we have blogged in the past, is the limit of time that the collector/creditor has to file a lawsuit in court seeking recovery.  Each state’s statute is different, and some states provide that a payment on the debt can restart the statute. Thus, before you agree to pay the debt, your first task is to find out when the last payment was made on that account, and what your state’s statute of limitations is for that particular kind of debt.
09 May, 2018
If you don’t understand the difference between a credit report and a credit score, you are not alone.  While both are a measure of your financial well-being, your credit report is a history report of how you have handled your debts, both past and present, and your score assigns a number to that history.
04 May, 2018

Hacking, Identity Theft, Internet Fraud, Phishing Attacks, Malware are just a few ways our personal information can be compromised. Today it is as important to protect our private data as it is to protect our personal health. With so much of our information available at a click of a button, it can be seem overwhelming trying stay secure or as secure as possible.

02 May, 2018
One of the most common questions asked in credit repair is “How long will an item stay on my credit report?” Today we’ll walk through the major derogatory accounts found on credit reports and give you an understanding of how long each may report on our credit reports.FCRA Statute of Limitations:
29 April, 2018

We're very fortunate to live in an era with limitless technology at our fingertips.

At no other point in history has it ever been so easy to start a business:

All it takes is an idea, a laptop with an internet connection, and some good old-fashioned hard work!

18 April, 2018

All too often consumers ask about credit repair…is it worthwhile, what does it cost, should I sign up?  Credit repair is a service provided by a company that helps consumers remove unwanted and inaccurate information from their credit file to help improve credit reports.  Consumers can hire a company to clean their credit or just as easily can sign up to do the work themselves.

31 March, 2018
 

The Fair Credit Reporting Act, more commonly referred to as the FCRA, is the federal statute that was enacted to protect consumer rights in the credit reporting industry.  This law is a consumer minded statute that ensures accuracy and fairness in reporting and dissemination of your financial information.  The FCRA specifically outlines consumer rights but also sets guidelines for creditors, lenders and consumer reporting agencies.

24 March, 2018

As a responsible consumer trying to build your credit, you apply for a credit card with a low finance rate and you plan to pay off the balance in full every month.  After all, one of the first rules of thumb for building your credit is to have a positive credit history.  The only problem is, you cannot seem to get approved for a credit card that is desirable.  Let’s consider the reasons why.

13 March, 2018

You have probably noticed an abundance of “pre-approved” credit card offers in your mailbox, even more so during the Holiday season. But, what does this mean? Are you really approved? Can you just start using the card? Should you start using the card?

Here we bring you an easy explanation as to why you get this offers and how to best approach them.

01 March, 2018

 

When preparing yourself for a job interview, you need to do more than just freshen up on your interviewing skills.  Most employers today want to do more than just speak with you in an interview or read your resume.  They want to conduct a thorough background check and take a look into your credit report and history.  Reviewing your report prior to the interview to make sure it is in tip top shape is the first way to secure the job but knowing your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”) will ensure the employer does not violate your rights and take advantage of your naivete.

13 February, 2018