Mortgage Payments Sending You Reeling? Here’s What to Do
June 13, 2008
The possibility of losing your home because you can’t make the mortgage payments can be terrifying. Perhaps you are one of the many consumers who took out a mortgage that had a fixed rate for the first two or three years and then had an adjustable rate. Or maybe you’re anticipating an adjustment, and want to know what your payments will be and whether you’ll be able to make them. Or maybe you’re having trouble making ends meet because of an unrelated financial crisis. Read more
Car Ads: Reading Between the Lines
June 13, 2008
Many new car dealers advertise unusually low interest rates and other special promotions. Ads promising high trade-in allowances and free or low-cost options may help you shop, but finding the best deal requires careful comparisons. Read more
Auto Service Contracts
June 12, 2008
Buying a car? You also may be encouraged to buy an auto service contract to help protect against unexpected, costly repairs. While it may sound like a good idea, don’t buy in until you understand both the terms of the contract and who is responsible for providing the coverage. Read more
Buying A New Car
June 12, 2008
A new car is second only to a home as the most expensive purchase many consumers make. According to the National Automobile Dealers Association, the average price of a new car sold in the United States is $28,400. That’s why it’s important to know how to make a smart deal. Read more
Buying A Used Car
June 12, 2008
“I can’t wait to get my own car.”
Sound familiar? Before you start shopping for a used car with a teenager you know, do some homework. It may save you serious money. Consider driving habits, what the car will be used for, and your budget. Research models, options, costs, repair records, safety tests, and mileage through libraries, book stores, and web sites. Read more
A Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
June 12, 2008
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) promotes the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in the files of consumer reporting agencies. There are many types of consumer reporting agencies, including credit bureaus and specialty agencies (such as agencies that sell information about check writing histories, medical records, and rental history records). Here is a summary of your major rights under the FCRA. For more information, including information about additional rights, go to www.ftc.gov/credit or write to: Consumer Response Center, Room 130-A, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. Read more
Free-Preview
June 10, 2008
Please Follow the link for a free preview
Time-Barred Debts
June 7, 2008
There’s no doubt about it: you are responsible for your debts. If you fall behind in paying your creditors — or if you dispute the legitimacy of a debt — a debt collector may contact you.
“Time-barred” debts are debts so old they are beyond the point at which a creditor or debt collector may sue you to collect. State law varies as to when a creditor or debt collector may no longer sue to collect: in most states, the statute of limitations period on debts is between 3 and 10 years; in some states, the period is longer. Read more
Home Buying Consulting Business Penalized for Credit Repair Violations
June 6, 2008
Under a federal court order entered on May 29, a home-buying consulting business that offers credit repair and home-buying consulting services will pay $10,000 to settle Federal Trade Commission charges, including illegally charging an advance fee for credit repair and falsely claiming that it can remove negative information from consumers’ credit reports, even if the information is accurate and timely. Home Buyers Consulting Network, Inc. d/b/a Home Buyers Network, Good Credit Company, GoodCredit.com, and 0downhomebuyers.com, and Douglas Andersen Moore a/k/a Douglas A. Moore are barred from further violations of the Credit Repair Organizations Act and the FTC Act. Read more
