Thursday, August 28, 2008

Debt Management Is An Art That May Not Come Easily

Category: Finance, Credit.

Debt management is an art that may not come easily.



This involves a lot of judicious calculation and good knowledge of the market. It involves taking a lot of important decisions that ought to prove to be wise in the long run. For a working professional busy with his job and other engagements, this can be a headache, as to tackle with debts. These services available online as well from financial experts can provide a viable solution for your debt situation. And often, due to lack of time or sufficient market knowledge, it would be rather wise to avail to professional services. These experts, who by virtue of their years of experience of the market help to prevent your financial losses and to help you to repay your debts in a suitably elongated time- period.


You can make your choice of repayment through the ways which, as calculated by the experts, could cater best to you after a careful analysis of your debt situation. This may involve not only debt advice, but also negotiation, often free with your lender where you may be charged a small percentage of the amount you would gain thereby, as when the advice you get from the informed people helps you make informed decisions. Their services are valuable in more ways than one. And as far as debt management is concerned, debt consolidation is perhaps the best means. You benefit by repairing your credit history, which may be dented due to the debt situation and the inability to make repayments at the right time. It gets you to conveniently merge the debts with a single interest rate which comes about to be much lower.


It makes the debt- game much easier to win for you. It is like cutting off the edges of numerous debts and have one rounded figure with which you can play ball with a set clear goal, instead of numerous lenders with different interest rates, high and low.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Perhaps You Are Having Difficulties Dealing With The Collection Agencies

Category: Finance, Credit.

Perhaps you are having difficulties dealing with the collection agencies.



When you have done this, and they are still harassing you beyond the boundaries that are set by the Fair Debt Collection Act, then it is, or the FDCA time for you to take appropriate measures to see that they are punished in some way for their illegal actions. It is important to remember first to be polite when dealing with them, doing everything that you can to make a negotiation possible. There are several things that you need to do to make sure that you have a stable case. If you do not come up with the proper verification, you cannot have a stable enough case to sue the collection agency, whether they really were harassing you or not. It is important that you bring to court the appropriate evidence that will help you to prove the wrong that has been done against you by the collection agencies. In order to prove that collection agencies are doing something that is in violation of your rights, you have to plan ahead of time.


It is important to have details like this in order to build a strong case against the collection agency. Before they even call or contact you again, you need to have a pen and paper on hand to write down who you spoke with, what day it was, and what time they called you. You must be cautious if you are recording a collection agency s phone call to make sure that you do it legally. Tell them that it is to protect your rights as stated by the FDCPA. You must tell the person you are talking to that you are recording your conversation, and why. That way, there are no legal hassles about whether or not they consented to your recording of the conversation, because if they keep talking after you ve said that, you may assume that they have consented to it because you told them clearly what you were doing. You do this by contacting the attorney general s office.


Once you have the proper evidence that will bring to the table a legitimate argument against the collection agency, you can take the action to file the complaint. Most likely, you will want to do this by writing a formal letter, rather than any other form of communication. It is important to get straight to the point. Here are a few tips to help you write your letter: When you are writing your letter, make sure that you do not beat around the bush. When you state what the collection agency did wrong, you must back it up by stating the rights that were violated under the FDCA. It is their job.


Do not just complain about them constantly calling you. If they have not violated any of the rules stated in the FDCA, then you will have no legitimate argument, resulting in your losing the case.

Read more...

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Credit customers look for credit card deals everytime the mail carrier delivers the mail.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Debt Consolidation Is Undoubtedly The Best Alternative To Bankruptcy You Can Ever Find

Category: Finance, Credit.

Debt consolidation can be your ring- buoy in case you are in debt and cannot manage all your loans anymore.



No matter in which stage you decide to benefit from a debt consolidation loan, you should know that sound knowledge of the subject matter is a key to your success, so never grudge your time on reading informative articles and helpful recommendations because they will undoubtedly prove useful to you. Such alternative as a debt consolidation loan is designed in order not only to help individuals unite all their loans in one manageable loan but also gain much lower interest rates, APR( annual percentage rate) and even loan terms. There are several ways of consolidating debts and many reasons for doing this. Borrowing money against you home s equity is the first option available for those who aim at debt consolidation. Reasons can vary depending on situation but consolidation options are the same for everyone. This can be a perfect choice, if the real value of your home and all valuable assets you have in it are stable, so that lenders could be sure that you are not a risky but a paying client. Credit union loans can also be beneficial if you need to borrow money in order to consolidate your current debts.


The second option is zero- interest credit cards and bank loans. Debt consolidation is undoubtedly the best alternative to bankruptcy you can ever find. Debt consolidation loans are highly demanded nowadays and there are a lot of available offers in the market, and this is exactly why it is more than simply sensible to shop around for best loan at best price. In case you decided to borrow money and consolidate your debts, you should remember that here is no place for rash decisions, everything should be properly considered. Before you start analyzing the market and comparing different offers and rates, you should manage you budget and decide upon the amount of interest rates and APRs which you can afford as well as terms which can be beneficial to you. We suggest that you browse the Internet for the best debt consolidation offers and save both your time and your money.


You should calculate everything carefully and make sure that debt consolidation is the best choice for you. Search for trustworthy and reputable lenders, terms and additional, compare interest rates fees charged and choose offers which fit your needs and your budget best. It s also advised to use free online calculators which are designed in order to help you calculate estimated interest rates you can have depending, for example on your home s equity, credit history and your income. After this you should request quotes from different lenders, fill them out and compare them carefully when you receive them back. Right after you choose an appropriate loan which will help you consolidate your debts, you have to make sure that you can trust the company or the lender you plan to deal with.

Read more...

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The debt situation in USA is particularly grim. What are the most important things that lead a person to credit card debt?

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An old proverb states that you have not because you ask not.

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Don t get dejected when you find a rejection letter in your mailbox.

Monday, August 25, 2008

You Do Have To Ask For The Credit Report Within 60 Days Of Denial Though

Category: Finance, Credit.

Once you have established major credit problems, it can feel like your head is barely above water. Where do you find help for the credit hole that you have dug for yourself?



Most people don t know how to fix what they started, and if they did, they wouldn t have credit problems to begin with. The truth is that you should seek help from within, so you do not fall victim to scams, but rather find a solution yourself. Face the facts, there is no easy way to get out of debt. Just as there are get rich quick schemes, there are an equal amount of ads from fly by night companies that will offer you ways to get out of debt quickly. Don t believe the promises that some company can magically erase your financial mishaps. If a company does not give you all of the information on your own personal legal rights, or if they don t explain that you can do things for yourself for free, they are probably an irresponsible company. Very few are legitimate and very few will do what they say.


If someone tells you that you cannot contact a credit report company directly, they are lying. If a company tries to get you to make up an identity and apply for an Employer Identification Number instead of your Social Security number, make sure that you like them because you will probably be sharing a prison cell with them. If anyone asks you to pay for any sort of credit fixing services up front, they are scamming you. The truth is that no one has the capabilities of removing anything negative from your credit report. The point is simple: everything that a credit repair service can do, you can do for yourself. You may dispute something in your credit report, but you can t have someone go into the computer system and erase it. The issue then becomes whether or not you want to do it yourself.


You do have to ask for the credit report within 60 days of denial though. Everyone is entitled to a free credit report if you have run into problems like being denied for something like insurance, or employment. If you are unemployed, or if you, on welfare are suspecting identity theft, you are entitled to one free report a year. If you decide that you need an additional copy of your credit report before 12 months, you will have to pay a$ 50 additional charge. Certain companies are required to fill this free request such as Equifax, and TransUnion to, Experian name a few. In the case of credit prevention is the best medicine. As an added measure of precaution you may want to enlist the help of one of the credit report companies.


Don t fall into the trap of letting your payments slip and you won t have to deal with the hassle of repairing it later on. Many people use these companies to keep their records up to date and alert them of any identity theft. And you can visit their ftc website for further information. The government can also be of service. When it gets right down to it, the best way to avoid dealing with credit repair is to not get yourself in that position to begin with.

Read more...

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Statistics show that 80% of Americans have either bad or erroneous information on their credit reports. If you ask me a more startling statistic is 90% of the information on the internet teaching you how to improve your credit is bad or erroneous.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Chase Credit Card Corporation Is A Credit Card Brand Owned By JP Morgan Chase& Co, A Pacesetting All- Inclusive Economic Services Firm

Category: Finance, Credit.

To open, if you re particular about your privacy and would like to sign up with an online credit card corporation which treats your personal details with the highest respect, then locate a credit card corporation on the Net whose web site address begins with https. You have the option of meeting the minimum payment of the total amount of money billed to you by your credit card corporation if you re unable to pay the total amount.



This is most certainly a sign that the site is safe. On the other hand, meeting the minimum payment makes you eligible for an interest rate charge on the rest of the money. It s a really well known credit card corporation that creates loads of credit cards with loads of benefits which cut across all layers of the population. Chase Credit Card corporation is a credit card brand owned by JP Morgan Chase& co, a pacesetting all- inclusive economic services firm. If you re unable to meet your credit debts on account of the fact that you re too far behind in payments, you stand the risk of facing bankruptcy and may perhaps loose a really extensive chunk of your assets in the attempt to pay off your debts. A reason as little as filling in a credit card application form with the false information can deprive you of a credit card as you may perhaps be rejected by the credit card firm. So serious care is compulsory when making use of your credit cards.


Credit card debt consolidation is also referred to as balance transfers as it involves the movement of loads of debts from nearly all credit cards to a current credit card or credit cards. Secured credit cards, also referred to as bad credit cards are as well known as their credit card counterparts and give credit card debtors an opportunity to be free of debt and still utilize a credit card. Bad forms of credit cards are usually referred to as debit credit cards for the reason that they function more and more as a means of payment rather than a means through which debts are incurred. An excellent credit card deal is a relative phrase which is used to describe the procurement of a credit card which matches what the customer wants. To top off, credit cards come with loads of offers like points or earning which come in percentages and are gotten when you make certain purchases at local stores or supermarkets. You can get a fine credit card deal by extensively ferreting through the ones which are available. Knowing this can help you make the suitable decisions.

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When used properly Credit Cards can be very handy for times when cash flow is a problem. Alternatively you could choose to pay off a percentage of the balance and then continue to make similar payments in future months, or pay it all off at a future date.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Never Email Your Credit Card Details To Anyone

Category: Finance, Credit.

Many people enjoy the ease and convenience of paying for goods and services with a credit card.



The first you may know of fraudulent activity on your credit card account is seeing unauthorized transactions on your statement. Unfortunately, some people become victims of the growing problem of credit card fraud. Here are 12 simple steps you can use to minimize the possibility of fraud on your credit card account: Keep both your personal and credit card information secure. Sending information via email is not a secure method of transmitting data and can be intercepted by savy criminals. Never email your credit card details to anyone. When you receive a new credit card always sign it immediately.


When you receive a replacement credit card always destroy the old card immediately. This prevents someone from finding your card and signing their name. Cut the old card into at least three pieces or shred it. The most effective method is to use a shredder. Make sure you thoroughly destroy old receipts or any information that may have your credit card details printed on them. Open and read your credit card statement as soon as you receive it.


If you see transactions on your credit card statement that you do not recognize, immediately contact your bank or credit card company and request verification of purchases and dispute those charges that you can t account for. Check to make sure you know what all the expenses on the statement are for. If you find that you have misplaced or lost your credit card for any reason, immediately Call the credit card issuing company and let them know. Never tell anyone your Personal Identification Number, which allows cash withdrawals using your credit card. They will block the card to prevent any potential unauthorized use. Make sure your Personal Identification Number is not easy to guess.


Ensure you use a different Personal Identification Number for each credit card you have. 1Do not use an ATM if you suspect it has been tampered with. Avoid using numbers that are easy to trace, for example do not use your date of birth, or your address. Report your suspicion to the bank that operates the ATM. 1When you use your credit card in a retail store always keep a watch on your card while the clerk is processing your payment. A secure web page has a URL that begins https: // and has an image of a locked padlock in the bottom right hand corner of the browser window. Double check that it is your card that is returned to you. 1If you use your credit card to make online purchases, always ensure the web pages where you input your credit card details are secure. Following these simple precautions will reduce the possibility of you becoming a victim of credit card fraud.


Your bank or credit card company may have further information on minimizing the risk of credit card fraud, so it is worth contacting them or reviewing their website.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

I Have A Debit Card Attached To An Online Account That I Use Almost Exclusively And I Love It, It Even Pays Me Cash Back

Category: Finance, Credit.

Many people who carry credit cards originally got them just for the ability to be able to not have to carry large sums of cash and be able to just pay with a card. The credit card industry is booming with millions of consumers and increases all the time but not very many people realize that there are alternatives to credit cards.



Others may get them so that they have access to cash advances when they need them, but there are other simple ways of borrowing money. One widely used alternative is the debit card which allows you the convenience of carrying a card and are sponsored by companies like VISA and MasterCard but the debit the money from the account you have them attached to immediately. I have a debit card attached to an online account that I use almost exclusively and I love it, it even pays me cash back. The cool thing about these cards is that they are widely accepted just like a credit card so they come in handy for renting cars, etc, reserving hotel rooms. Another great alternative to credit cards is the pre- paid card which you have to have secured with money that you prepay in order to be able to use the card. These types of cards are good to give to kids to help teach them responsibility and are also much safer than using a debit card due to the fact that they aren' t attached to a bank account.


This is very similar in a way to a prepaid cellular phone and in much the same way that with a prepaid cellular phone you cannot go over the minutes that you pay for, neither can you go over the amount that you put on a prepaid credit card. Most banks offer an overdraft protection which can be used in combination with a credit card to make for a better way of borrowing money than by taking an advance on a credit card. A bank overdraft protection gives you in essence, a short term loan at a much lower interest than you would find elsewhere. The way that the bank determines the limit for the overdraft is buying looking at how much your monthly deposits are. If you are going to be making a purchase such as a vehicle or maybe a big screen TV this is a purchase you should be able to plan for. If you plan properly you can take out a low interest loan instead of using a credit card to make the purchase which would result in a high interest rate. Another example would be making improvements on one's home.


If you live in an area that has credit unions you should know that they are an excellent source for low interest loans. Instead of being owned by a corporation they are owned by the individual members and since they have very low limits placed on them by law regarding how much interest they can charge, they are a great source.

Monday, August 11, 2008

But You Need Cash

We have all done this without realizing the financial repercussions of our actions. Its so easy to do.



But, unless you know how using your credit cards cash advance option can cripple your credit, you may be making the same mistakes over and over. You and your friends are going out on the town and you didnt make it to the bank before it closed. So, you head to the nearest ATM and set in motion events that you may be dealing with for a long time. But you need cash! But heres the rub. Why Credit Card Companies Love Cash Advances. From the moment that the ATM spits out your cash, the interest on that withdrawal begins to accrue and before you know it, the initial$ 100 has ballooned into a much larger sum.


These outfits are in business for the same reason that other companies are in business: to make money. Right off the bat, unless your withdrawal comes from an ATM owned by your bank, you get dinged by a processing fee, (or some similar usurious euphemism) and that fee gets slapped onto the amount that was withdrawn. Credit card companies love cash advances because they are much richer streams of revenue for them. Then, there is no, in most cases grace period on cash advances, which means that interest on your withdrawal begins ticking immediately, which of course also adds to the tab. Most often, cash advances are charged at a much higher rate of interest than your regular interest rate, which further adds to the balance. Heres the real kicker. An average credit card interest rate is around 18% , but the rates on cash advances generally begin at 25% , and can be 30% or higher!


Because of the way that credit card companies typically structure the terms of payment, if you have a balance in addition to the cash advance charges, any payments made will be applied to the other charges before a penny is paid against your cash advance. But wait, theres more! This means that they are using every opportunity that you give them to make as much money as possible from your decisions. The credit card companies cannot be viewed as villains, because all of these conditions are in the agreement that we sign when we get the card. The awful truth of it is that we willfully do this to ourselves every time we hit an ATM for quick cash. All of these fees may be difficult to find in the fine print, but this information is required by law to be there. But How Does This Cripple my Credit?


We just never think about how much it costs us until the statement comes. Cash advances can cripple your credit only if you cannot pay the balance in full the following month, and/ or you are late with a payment. The following events are then set in motion: Interest Rate Hikes. If you make the mistake of being late, then things get really ugly. The moment that your payment is late, the rates at which your cash advance and other balances are charged gets boosted considerably. Additional Fees.


Five percentage points may not seem like a big deal initially, but if your balance is$ 1000 or above, it can become a much bigger problem to pay off your debt. Being late also opens the door for all sorts of additional charges to be made against your account. Huge Impact on Your Credit Rating. These fees get added to your balance, and then interest can be applied to that as well. On average, 35% of your credit rating is based on timely payment of borrowed money. There is nothing wrong with using the cash advance option on your credit card if you are in a tight spot and need cash right now.


This figure alone is the single biggest part of your credit score, and if you are late with a payment, it will take a disproportionately long time to overcome that one mistake. Just make sure that you will be able to pay off the full amount when your next bill comes, so that you can avoid all of the pitfalls that can follow.