Many of our clients, both before and after bankruptcy, tell us that they are inundated by "pre-approved" credit card offers by mail. There is a reason why creditors target those with poor credit: they are…
How Much Debt Do you Need to Have to File Bankruptcy?
This is a question we often hear from potential clients who are struggling with debt and aren't sure whether bankruptcy is right for them. While the bankruptcy code does contain some maximum limits, there is no…
Abusive Collection Agency Shut Down; Employees Arrested
Federal agents halted operations and arrested the owner and six employees of an abusive collection agency in Georgia on November 18, 2014. The arrests were the result of a joint investigation by the FBI, Consumer…
How To Opt out of Telemarketing Calls
If you haven't done so already, it's easy to register your phone number(s) with the Federal Trade Commission's Do Not Call Registry. Visit www.donotcall.gov, or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you want to register.…
How to Opt Out of Pre-Screened Credit Offers
Some companies use information on your credit report to generate offers of credit or insurance, sometimes called "pre-screened" or "pre-approved" offers. Companies set a minimum bar for creditworthiness, then contact the major credit reporting…
What’s the Difference Between a Credit Report and a Credit Score?
We often talk to clients who are confused about the difference between their credit reports and their credit scores. It's easy to see why a consumer might be confused about these two different information sources, since both…
What’s in Your Credit Report, Anyway?
When you have credit accounts, such as credit cards, auto loans, student loans, or mortgages, the creditor gathers identifying information about you. A creditor will likely want to know things like your social security number,…
Medical Bills and Bankruptcy
A recent CNBC article references a study that has found that medical debt is the leading cause of consumer bankruptcies in the United States. The article also states that medical-related bankruptcies are most likely to…
Divorce Issues in Bankruptcy
Many people who find themselves heading for a divorce will also need to talk to someone about financial issues. Deciding what to do with joint debts, individual debts, vehicle loans, mortgages, and other bills can…
Federal Bankruptcy Exemptions–Now an Option in Oregon!
The first thing many people worry about when they think about filing a bankruptcy is, “What will happen to all of my stuff?” When you have assets, or things like cars, motorcycles, jewelry, guns, and…