As you probably know, there are companies that gather information about the history of your payments on your credit obligation.  These are called Credit Bureaus, and they not only gather your information, but they also report this information to anyone who pays for it, including your creditors, potential employers, landlords and insurance companies.
The three credit [...]

Popularity: 11% [?]

When your spouse files a bankruptcy it could affect you in several ways.  In January, Atlanta bankruptcy attorney Jonathan Ginsberg wisely suggested on these pages that a non-filing spouse should consider hiring her own lawyer.  In a series of articles, I will discuss several matters that should be considered if your spouse is filing for [...]

Popularity: 18% [?]

In my first Blog, we explained the differences between in personam and in rem liability and how a discharge affects in personam liability, but not in rem liability. In this part II, we get a little more technical on what the elimination of the in personam liability is all about.
If you liked that post, then [...]

Popularity: 50% [?]

The impact on your credit score is the same for a short sale, a deed in lieu, or a foreclosure, a Fair Isaacs representative told bankruptcy lawyers at this weekend’s seminar. It is, he said, the 120 day late payments, which he presumed underlay each of these alternatives, that damages the FICO score. [...]

Popularity: 36% [?]

Over at our sister site, Credit Law Network, there are a few articles about Chex Systems and Tele-Check. These companies assist financial institutions and merchants in preventing losses from bad or fraudulent checks. Chex Systems co-sponsors an educational program for those who have bounced checks in the past to qualify to open a [...]

Popularity: 30% [?]

What does FICO stand for and why is it important? FICO is an acronym for Fair Isaac & CO. This company developed a mathematical equation to determine who will be credit worthy and who is not. Each credit bureau will issue a FICO score and then based on those three scores the [...]

Popularity: 31% [?]

It is that time of year that I find myself often arguing with debtors about the need to purchase over priced Christmas gifts for their loved ones. The creditors lie in wait in their aisles ready to pounce on unsuspecting consumers,  praying that you will feel like a bad parent if you don’t spend $400-$500 per [...]

Popularity: 25% [?]

Generally, reporting a balance influences the debt to credit ratio, which typically amounts to 1/3 of what your credit score is based upon. While many creditors try to argue that they are simply reporting truthful information of what they are owed and what remains on their books, they entirely miss the boat.
If you liked that [...]

Popularity: 50% [?]

Chase has decided to help the little guy and cease raising interest rates when the cardholder’s credit score declines. More on this new development was also reported on our sister site, Credit Law Network.
This lovely predatory practice allowed Chase to impose penalty interest rates on card holders who had never been late, were under [...]

Popularity: 40% [?]

The Federal Trade Commission has a website devoted to Identity Theft.  It contains information for consumers, businesses, law enforcement, and military families.  In addition to providing tips to avoid identity theft, the site has information for victims of identity theft, and quizzes and information to educate individuals regarding identity theft.
The FTC’s website is also available [...]

Popularity: 16% [?]