Credit reports and scores are used for the purpose of advising a lender of the risk factors in lending a person money or advancing credit. It is very important to maintain the accuracy of your…
Scam Alert: Unethical Debt Collectors Going After Discharged Debts
Our office was recently contacted by the United States Trustee advising that there have been many complaints that debtors are receiving calls from prior creditors demanding payment for bills or services listed in their bankruptcy.…
Stop Receiving “Pre-Approved” Credit Offers by Mail
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…