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Credit Card Judgments and You

February 6th, 2010 Amber Deanwater No comments

Credit card judgments acknowledge that a debt is outstanding and spells out the way in which the debt may be recovered. This often takes place when a credit card cardholder has missed monthly paments and has not made an effort to work with the credit card provider to bring the account current.

Idealistically speaking, before getting to this point, it would be best to contact the card provider so things do not get out of hand. Credit card providers are often willing to work with a cardholder to either arrange a payment plan or to arrange for a pay off in full for a reduced debt amount.

A collection agency may end up with your credit card debt if you do not work with the credit card provider. Once this happens, you will no longer be able to negotiate with the credit card provider. Filing a legal action against you is not an option which collection agencies like to entertain. This is because law suits are costly and time-consuming. In light of this, collection agencies prefer to work with you to resolve the debt issue. They would prefer that you arrange to make a lump sum payment or agree to monthly payments.

If your debt does come before a judge for a credit card judgment, you have the right to appear before the judge and plead your case. If the debt is not yours or if the seizing of the assets would mean serious difficulties for you, the judge may take this into consideration. However, this is viewed on a case-by-case basis.

It is good to know that not all assets may be seized and the judge will ascertain which assets may be used to recover the debt. It is also possible that money may be taken from your bank account, your wages may be garnished (depending upon state law), and a lien may be placed on your real property.

It goes without saying that a credit card judgment will create havoc with your credit score. You will most likely be denied for most credit products and, if you are approved for any credit products, exorbitant annual percentage rates (APRs) and annual and monthly fees will be associated with those which are offered to you. Additionally, your credit report can carry this credit card judgment for up to seven years.

It is important to keep in mind that a credit card judgment will likely affect future employment opportunities or advancement related to your current position. Additionally, a credit card judgment can make finding reasonable rates for home and car insurance very difficult.

It is best to pay the credit card debt off as quickly as possible once the judgment has been issued. Once you have paid this debt off, you should try to contact the credit reporting agencies to attempt to have the debt removed in its entirety or to request this entry be revised to a “paid” status, at the very least.

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Is There Such a Thing As “Good Credit” Credit Cards?

January 13th, 2010 Mark Newman No comments

Did you know that there is such a thing as “good credit” credit cards? To learn more about “good credit” credit cards, continue reading.

In the business world, business owners will always seek out those people they perceive to be good customers in order to sell merchandise to them or transact business with them. When it comes to credit card companies, this is true as well. Credit card companies will approve credit cards for those people they feel are reliable, have a good credit rating, and pay their bills on time.

The best credit cards will be offered to those people who are considered to be a good credit risk. These people will garner the “best” credit cards with the best rates and the best incentives. These are the credit cards which are considered the “good credit” credit cards. These cards offer low annual percentage rates (APRs), no annual or monthly fees, and reduced balance transfer rates.

Most credit card companies cater to those people who fit into the “good credit” category. If your FICO score is 650 or above, you will usually win for yourself the title of “good credit” risk. This is desirable. If you are already there, keep up the good work! If not, keep reading!

If you like to carry a high monthly balance on your credit card, you can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars every year by having a “good credit” credit card. How is this possible? Well, if you calculate the amount you will save by having a low APR, little or no monthly fees, and no annual fee, it’s not hard to imagine the money you will save each month alone. The amount saved on interest charges by itself can run into hundreds of dollars if you have a “bad credit” credit card.

If you currently are not eligible for a “good credit” credit card, you can do some things that should, over time, help you to obtain one or more of these credit cards. Good financial practices will go far in this endeavor. You will need to pay your bills on time (every month), lower your income to credit ratio (pay off in their entirety, some, maybe even all, of your bills, excluding, of course, your monthly living expenses), and stay within your allowed credit limit (do not overspend).

You should see your credit score increase monthly by following these steps. In time, you should be able to apply and be approved for a “good credit” credit card.

You should refrain for applying for one of these “good credit” credit cards until your credit score is over 650. The reason to wait is to make sure that you do not damage your credit score by applying too soon and being denied, the denial of which will then be reported to the credit reporting agencies.

You should obtain a copy of your credit report after you have been working for a while to raise your credit score. A copy of your credit report can be obtained from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion, the three major credit reporting agencies. You have the right to request one copy of your credit report from each of these credit reporting agencies every twelve months. They, in turn, are legally required to comply with your request.

Begin rebuilding your credit today! You will be amazed at how your financial outlook will change!

Midland Credit Ruined my credit history. What I Did to Get Revenge. www.MidlandCreditDebt.com

Second Chance Bank Accounts

January 2nd, 2010 Amber Deanwater No comments

People who have or are, for various reasons, facing financial difficulties and have had their bank account suspended or closed should look into a “second chance bank account.” Another name for second chance bank accounts is non-ChexSystems checking accounts.

ChexSystems is a check verification service and consumer reporting agency. You are at risk of being reported to ChexSystems if you perform any type of financial misdemeanor. Of all the banks in the United States, approximately 80% of them use ChexSystems for reporting when an overdraft limit is exceeded, a payment is not honored, or a check is bounced.

You will be reported to ChexSystems if you do any or all of these things habitually. This behavior may also lead to your bank account being closed. Because of your past banking history, most banks will be hesitant of opening an account for you, if they even consider it at all.

Second chance bank accounts are a real opportunity to get things back on track. These accounts are very much like regular bank accounts in that the account holder can pay bills, access their money, and have most of the same benefits of a “regular” account. This provides a second chance for people whose bank accounts have been closed.

Many banks and finance companies offer second chance bank accounts and some can even be found online. If you want to apply, there will be an application for you to complete. Additionally, you will be required to provide proof of your identity and your current address. All of these components will be verified by the company.

Request a copy of your ChexSystems report prior to applying for a second chance bank account. Sit down and review the report for any and all false or inaccurate information. Any information which is false or inaccurate can be removed or revised. If your report contains quite a bit of false or inaccurate information, this may be the reason you cannot open a new checking account.

If the information reported is accurate and you cannot open a regular checking account, then a second chance bank account may be a good idea. Besides being easy to open, second chance bank accounts are, as the name suggests, for people who need a second chance.

It is wise to shop the market for the best deal prior to applying. Companies will sometimes require one-time payments to open the account in addition to monthly or annual fees. In light of this, it is smart to find the best deal by shopping the market.

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Can Using a Credit Card Help to Rebuild My Credit?

December 30th, 2009 Amber Deanwater No comments

A credit card can be used as a tool to help rebuild your credit. A few steps need to be followed though to ensure your success.

Everyone has felt the effects of the credit crisis. It is now almost commonplace for consumers to default on personal loans or to miss bill payments. Those who have defaulted on a personal loan or missed multiple bill payments are now suffering from a low credit score. Lenders look for these types of scores and are wary to lend money if the score is below-average.

Don’t be afraid if this is your situation. You can begin to rebuild your credit by using a particular kind of credit card. If you obtain one of these cards, it will be necessary to use it wisely in all respects. You will start to notice your credit score rising as you improve your spending habits.

So, let’s discuss what type of credit card you should get. If you have bad credit, you should not attempt to obtain an unsecured credit card which has many benefits and a low annual percentage rate (APR). Your attempt to obtain an unsecured credit card may, in fact, hurt your credit score if you are denied. If you have bad credit and you want to start rebuilding it, look for a good quality secured credit card. These cards normally guarantee approval.

Secured credit cards and unsecured credit cards are basically the same. Just like with an unsecured credit card, you should still be able to purchase goods and services and make cash withdrawals using an ATM. The major difference between these types of credit cards is that a “deposit” will need to be provided in order to begin using a secured credit card. Your credit limit will be determined by how much you deposit with the credit card company. Although the minimum is usually $100, you can deposit more if you would like to do so.

When performing research for a secured credit card, be sure to look for one which provides reports to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, the three major credit reporting bureaus. A credit card that does not report to these three credit reporting agencies should not even be considered.

What should you look for in a secured credit card? You should find one that has the lowest APR possible and that has the lowest and fewest charges. Secured credit cards vary immensely in what they offer so you should be diligent in searching for the best credit card to accomplish your goal of rebuilding your credit.

Once you obtain your secured credit card, you will need to begin using good spending habits. Begin by charging “small” amounts each month and then be sure to pay the monthly bill on time every month. Do not be late with your payment! It would be even better if the balance was paid off each month.

By handling your credit card in this manner, each month you should see a small increase in your credit rating. Eventually, you will become a “good” credit risk.

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Is It Important To Check My Credit Report?

December 29th, 2009 Amber Deanwater No comments

People are busier today than ever before. Because of this, the thought of reviewing their credit report is often something they just don’t think about. This means that most people don’t even know what is reported on their credit report.

In layman’s terms, a credit report is all of your financial information laid out in a very organized manner on a few sheets of paper. Items listed on your credit report include your credit borrowing history, such as mortgage loans, car loans, credit cards, etc., and your timeliness in paying your bills. Credit applications you have submitted for approval are also included on your credit report, as well as the acceptance or denial of the application.

Most of the time when you apply for credit, the company will request a copy of your credit report. (Believe it or not, even just this request for your financial information will be recorded on your credit report!) The company will then review the credit report and determine if they feel you are a credit risk. If not, you will most likely receive the loan or credit card for which you were applying. Adversely, if you are determined to be a credit risk, your application will be denied.

For this reason, it is vitally important that consumers know and understand what is detailed on their credit history. Just guessing at what is on your credit report is not wise. It is important to KNOW! Not KNOWing may cost you that vehicle you just fell in love with!

It is really very easy to obtain a copy of your credit report. You can utilize one of the many internet businesses which offer this service or you can go ahead and contact one of the three major credit reporting agencies – TransUnion, Equifax, or Experian – for a copy. These credit reporting agencies are legally required to provide one copy of your credit report, every twelve months, upon your request.

Once you receive your credit reports, allow yourself a few minutes to sit down and review each of them. The purpose of this review is to make sure that your spending practices are reported accurately. You will want to make sure that your payment history is correctly stated, old and present addresses are accurate, etc. You will also want to make sure that any old debts which were overdue but, subsequently, paid, are reflected as such. (For overdue debts which eventually were paid, you might consider contacting the lender or collection agency to see if they will remove the debt from your credit report in its entirety.)

If you find any inaccurate or false information on your credit report, it can be corrected. A simple letter to the credit reporting agency explaining the purpose of your letter and outlining the information which needs to be corrected, along with proof of your claim, should result in the information being amended.

The importance of a clean credit report cannot be over-stated. Oftentimes, people are so busy with their day-to-day lives that they may forget about an insignificant $20 payment. This missed $20 payment, eight months down the road, when you are trying to refinance your home or purchase a vehicle, can play havoc with your credit application. This is why it is important and necessary to review your credit report regularly.

Not KNOWING the contents of your credit history can cause financial chaos at the very worst time for you – maybe while you are trying to purchase a home. If false and inaccurate information is allowed to remain on your credit report, you may face years of high APR rates. Don’t let this happen to you. KNOW what is reported on your credit report!

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Judgment or Lien: Can My Creditor Take My House and Property for Non-Payment?

December 23rd, 2009 Jesse Smith No comments

You may be wondering if it is possible to lose assets because a creditor has filed or is threatening to file a judgment against you for non-payment. Simply put, yes, you can lose assets. If a debt goes several months without being paid, your creditor must go to court with the issue. Unfortunately, it is likely that the result will cost you in one way or another. Just as everyone’s case is unique, so will the result be.

Once the judgment papers have been served on you, you normally have 30 days to respond. These papers explain that you need to appear in court to address the debt issue. It would be exceedingly wise to spend this 30-day period communicating with the creditor in order to come to some sort of agreement.

Depending upon your state’s laws and if the creditor is successful in his suit requesting a judgment against you, legal remedies will be available to the creditor. Some possible remedies might be garnishment of wages, seizure of assets, and maybe even a lien against your property or home. If your creditor obtains a lien against your home, you will be unable to borrow against the property or sell it until the debt is paid in full.

To make matters worse, your credit score will take a horrible plunge! It is important to note that a judgment can be reported on your credit report for up to ten years. A judgment is the worst mark you can have on your credit report, other than a bankruptcy. During the financially difficult times we are presently experiencing, it is more important than ever to have an excellent credit score.

The bottom line is that your creditor just wants to be paid. Because of this, often creditors are willing to accept significantly reduced offers just to settle the debt. It may also be possible to arrange for a payment plan so the creditor does not have to follow through with a legal action. However, to do so, you will need to communicate with the creditor and negotiate the details.

Going to court is not a lot of fun! However, if you fail to reach an agreement with the creditor, you will likely find yourself in court. If you wind up in court, this will give the court the opportunity to rule against you. It is better to work with the creditor to reach a settlement which will be more beneficial for you. You should work to keep a judgment from taking place!

If you feel you don’t want to tackle this situation alone, you can look into hiring an experienced credit attorney who can guide you through the process. It is always best to deal with debt matters head-on rather than opting for avoidance.

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Credit Repair Attorneys and Your Credit

December 22nd, 2009 Mark Newman No comments

Credit repair attorney services have become very popular. This is due to our flagging economy and the fact that having an above-average credit score is more important now than at any other time.

If you perform a simple and quick internet search for “credit repair attorney,” you will receive several million hits. So, what do these attorneys do? Can I do the same thing on my own? Let’s continue reading and see.

Because credit companies are now much more particular about their paperwork and who they lend money to, having a poor credit score can limit your ability to obtain good credit products. In today’s market, if you have a below average credit score, you will either be denied credit altogether or you will be offered credit products which have exorbitant annual percentage rates (APRs) and many additional associated fees and charges.

Credit repair attorneys understand that consumers want to improve their flagging credit scores and offer services which they say will help to improve the consumer’s credit rating. This process includes a review of your credit history and an analysis of what should be done to improve your credit.

Removing foreclosures, bankruptcies, charge-offs, and late payments from your credit report are what credit repair attorneys specialize in. Often, these firms will also develop a financial plan for you and, after their credit repair work is completed, they will continue to monitor your credit for a period of time.

Are these services worth the fees paid? This is up for debate. There is nothing these firms can do which you cannot do yourself. Also, credit repair does not happen overnight. Any firm or credit repair attorney who says that it does should be avoided.

In addition to time, credit repair takes patience, persistence, and organizational skills. These are the basic advantages of employing a credit repair attorney, for a fee. If you do not want to take this process on yourself, then hiring a credit repair attorney may be a good decision for you.

Before you make your decision, it would be wise to review the many articles on the internet which explain what is needed to repair your credit. Once you have done this, decide which route, credit repair attorney or do-it-yourself credit repair, you should take.

It is wise to get at least three quotes from credit repair attorneys if you decide to use one. Often, credit repair attorneys charge by the hour and their explanation of fees can be somewhat vague. Be sure that you understand the process and fee structure prior to signing any agreement.

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Will My Credit Rating Be Affected By An Auto Repossession?

December 20th, 2009 Amber Deanwater No comments

Any type of action by a creditor to regain possession of an item will affect your credit score and this includes an auto repossession. To find out how this happens and what you can expect, keep reading.

To begin with, you can face repossession after missing one or more payments on your vehicle loan. Despite popular belief, if you miss just one loan payment, the creditor can legally move to repossess your vehicle. It is not necessary for multiple payments to be missed. The creditor will usually make calls to you and send one or more letters.

If you do not bring your loan up-to-date or make arrangements to get back on track, the creditor can move forward to repossess your automobile. If you attempt to work with the creditor, you may be able to keep this from happening.

Depending upon the state you live in, your credit rating could be affected for seven to ten years. If this were to happen, your credit rating would be seriously damaged and it would be difficult at best to obtain any kind of credit.

If you feel you are headed for an auto repossession, it is best to contact your creditor, explain your situation, and try to work something out. It is often possible to work out a payment plan with your creditor, thereby saving your credit score from a large, negative impact.

If your vehicle is repossessed, you will be responsible for any repossession fees, towing charges, storage fees, and any other costs associated with the repossession. These costs can add up quickly and can end up being several hundred dollars.

Auto repossession is not a pretty thing and it is important that you understand this. If you see an auto repossession ahead and do nothing to try to turn it around, you will greatly harm your credit score as well as lose your vehicle. So, call your creditor and see if you can work out a payment plan. If successful, this will result in your keeping your vehicle and not damaging your credit rating.

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Credit Report Review – Easy as 1, 2, 3

December 20th, 2009 Mark Newman No comments

Have you attempted to read your credit report, but ended up being more confused than when you started? After looking at your credit report, have you wondered what charge-offs are? If so, read through this article to understand the finer points of reviewing your credit report.

So, is it really important to know what is contained on your credit report? The answer to this question is a resounding “yes!” Every financial step you take for the rest of your life will depend on your credit score. For this reason, it is very important to understand your credit report and to know what it contains.

So, the first step is to obtain a copy of your credit report. You can do this by contacting one of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) to request a copy. These credit reporting bureaus are legally required to provide you with one free copy of your credit report once every year, upon your request. Alternately, you can contact Annual Credit Report at (877) 322-8228 to obtain a copy of your credit report.

Reviewing your credit report can be overwhelminng until you become used to it and understand it. In order to bring your blood pressure down a few points, let’s go over a few things. There are several different sections to your credit report. The title or heading should readily identify the section you are reviewing. Headings include identifying information, credit history, public records, and inquiries.

The first section of a credit report will usually pertain to “identifying information.” Your name, date of birth, and present and past addresses will be listed here. It is important to make sure that all the information listed is correct, even the zip codes.

The next section should pertain to your “credit history.” This section will contain all the financial information that the credit bureau has on file for you. The items listed will report information such as what type of credit account (Is this a mortgage, car loan, credit card, etc.?), the amount owed (What is your balance?), payment details (Are you behind? Do you pay on time?), and the current status of the account (Is this account current, paid in full, past due, charged-off, etc.?).

Are you wondering what a “charge-off” is? Having a charge off on your credit report means that a credit company has suspended the account and written off the debt. Once the credit company wrote the debt off, they likely passed the debt on to a collection agency. Once this has been done, the only way to remove the “black mark” from your credit history is to pay the debt in full.

The following section deals with “public records” and will report your financial discrepancies. Financial discrepancies can include court judgments and bankruptcies. Public records will drastically harm acceptance of any applications for credit which you submit. Therefore, it is best if this portion of the credit report is blank. Some people have worried that legal actions related to criminal convictions will be listed here. They are not. A credit report is used strictly for financial purposes.

The “inquiries” portion of the credit report is the final section. Here you will find information related to requests which have been made regarding your credit report, such as when lenders have requested copies of your credit report prior to approving or denying your credit application. It is wise to keep in mind that lenders are wary of credit reports where there are numerous inquiries within a short period of time. As such, it is best to limit the number of inquiries on your credit report.

The purpose of reviewing your credit report is to note any inaccurate or false information and work to get it revised. If you should find one or more mistakes on your credit history, you can write to the appropriate credit bureau and request that the information be corrected. Be sure to include copies of any information or documentation you have which substantiates your claim. If you are successful in getting inaccurate or false information corrected, this will positively impact your credit score and this is, after all, the reason for taking the time to sit down and review your credit report.

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Credit Card Judgments 101

December 17th, 2009 Jesse Smith No comments

Credit card judgments confirm that a debt is owed and the steps which may be taken to recover the amount owed. Garnishment of wages, seizing of assets, and placing liens against real property are examples of the “steps” which may be taken.

A judgment of this type normally follows months of repeated attempts to collect the debt. It is best to do everything possible to keep this from happening and this article will give you ideas to consider if you feel you may be facing a credit card judgment.

Falling behind on your credit card payments will bring endless letters and phone calls your way from the credit card provider requesting that you make arrangements to bring your account current. The credit card provider will ask that you pay the amount due in full or make arrangements for monthly payments. If you do not bring your credit card account up-to-date within a specified amount of time, your credit card account may be charged-off.

It is best to work with the credit card provider to reach a payment arrangement. If this does not happen, your credit card debt may be sold to a collection agency. It is normally the case that credit card debt is purchased for anywhere from 8 cents to 12 cents for each dollar bought. The collection process will begin again with the collection agency contacting you and requesting that you pay the credit card debt owed. Again, your credit score will take a big hit if this happens.

Filing legal actions is something which collection agencies would prefer not to do. Legal actions are costly and time-consuming. Additionally, the amount of your debt is quite likely a small amount to the collection agency since it only paid cents on the dollar for the debt purchased. The collection agency will attempt to collect the debt from you and, if it cannot, it may very well sell the debt to another collection agency. This means, of course, that the process will begin all over again.

If you cannot come to an agreement with this second collection agency, it may decide to file that dreaded law suit. This is when you may be looking at a credit card judgment coming your way. Legally speaking, you have the right to plead your case to the judge. If you can prove that the debt owed is not yours or if you can prove that there are extenuating circumstances, the judge may revise the judgement.

Adversely, if you cannot show that the debt is not yours or cannot show that there are extenuating circumstances, a judgment will be issued by the judge which will spell out how the debt may be recovered. Examples of these avenues of recovery may include garnishment of your wages, taking money from your bank account, seizing assets, and possibly even filing liens against your real property. These examples are dependent upon state law.

You should consider working with the credit card provider and collection agencies to get the debt paid. This will lessen the damage to your credit score. If you can come to an agreement with the credit card provider or collection agency, you will be able to dodge a credit card judgment.

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