I was on a well respected credit website today reading their recent blog and I was blown away by the misinformation they were giving about the pros and cons of filing bankruptcy. Having gone through a bankruptcy personally and having counseled hundreds of clients who have filed a bankruptcy, I can tell you that bankruptcy is not the kiss of death for your credit. While I am not an advocate of people running out and filing bankruptcy without careful consideration, I am advocate for truth.

I often wonder when I see an anti-bankruptcy campaign whose interest is really being considered. Credit card companies will do all they can to have you believe bankruptcy is a horrible thing and you are a horrible person for filing. Consumer credit reporting agencies TransUnion, Equifax, Experian (The Big Three) would have you believe the same.
Why? Obviously the credit card companies want to you pay up, not only what you owe but all of the extras they tack on. I’ve seen a $300 credit card become an over $1000 collection. So why do The Big Three want to avoid bankruptcy? Because they make money every time your account gets sold to another collection agency. And, the worse your credit score the more money they make.

Ok, I know what you are thinking… Victoria, people should take responsibility and pay what they owe. I could not agree with you more. But, what do you tell the family who never missed a payment until the major wage earner was stricken with cancer and the insurance company stopped paying? The number one cause of bankruptcy is…You guessed it – medical bills. And, yes doctors deserved to be paid. The problem is that often doctors will not set up payment arrangements. So good people end up filing bankruptcy.

Now to debunk bankruptcy myths:

Myth 1: A bankruptcy will affect your credit score for 10 years.
Truth: While bankruptcy may stay on your credit report for 10 years (chapter 7 only), your credit score will not be affected for the entire 10 years. With proper reestablishment of credit your score will begin to recover quickly.

Myth 2: Filing a bankruptcy will lower your score to the 500′s.
Truth: If you are not paying your credit cards and have maxed them out. Your credit score is more than likely already in the 500′s.

Myth 3: Accounts included in a bankruptcy will remain on your credit report for 7 years.
Truth: Seven years is a MAXIMUM not a MINIMUM amount of time an account included in bankruptcy may remain on a credit report.

Myth 4: You will not be able to get a good mortgage rate for 5 years after bankruptcy.
Truth: Many consumers can qualify for an FHA (federally backed mortgage) 2 years after bankruptcy with very attractive rates. Three years if a home was involved in the bankruptcy.

Myth 5: Employment and insurance can be severely affected after a bankruptcy.
Truth: The impact on insurance is typically much less than the interest, fees, and late charges charged by credit card companies. And, under United States Bankruptcy Code an employer can not discriminate against you for filing bankruptcy. However, they can and most likely will for judgments, late pays, and multiple collections.

As I said before, I am not an advocate of people running out filing bankruptcy. If you are contemplating filing bankruptcy, make sure you weigh all of your options.

I have spent almost two decades empowering my clients financially through credit education. If you have filed bankruptcy and need help re building your financial life, call me at 317-527-1440. I am here to help.

Tags: banking, bankruptcy, business, checking, collections, credit, Credit Education, credit score, Credit Scoring, credit tip, debt collection, Fair Credit Reporting Act, FICO, FICO.credit, money, Money Tips, Real estate

We all make them – MONEY MISTAKES. It’s easy to fall into the traps and snares that credit card companies, banks, and other lending sources are so good at enticing consumers with. We are inundated with special offers, cash back, rebates, guarantees, rewards and so on. Buyer Beware! These tactics and offers are designed to keep you in debt. We recently did an episode on The Credit and Finance Show about common money mistakes.

These mistakes include:

• Paying on minimums on your credit cards. This can cost you thousands of additional dollars in interest and fees.
• Buying a brand new car. AAA auto in a study states that concluded that the average new car depreciates $3,392 per year.
• Smoking. This is a costly habit that costs an average of $2000 per year. The health costs are immeasurable.
• Keeping a drafty attic. You can often find low cost services that can help with insulation if you cannot do it yourself.  Beware of spending too much on high dollar energy savings items.  Weigh the costs against the savings.
• Ignoring your student loan. Student loans do not go away. If you are unable to make your payments call the lender and let them know.

Other resources:

12 Obscure Websites That Can Save You Money

Avoid These 7 Cash Back & Credit Card Traps

Many of us make common money mistakes that can not only cost us thousands of dollars, but can also affect our credit rating rating. If you have made financial mistakes, like many of us have, we can help. Call us today and start changing your life from fear and frustration to happiness and relaxation.

Tags: budget, business, collections, Credit Education, credit score, credit tip, debt collection, finance, money, saving, Wealth

I know you are wondering how in the heck can paying off an account lower my credit score. Yes, I know it sounds backwards that by trying to do the right thing you get penalized. Here is he scoop. I have long taught that 35% of your credit score is past delinquencies. Obviously, paying your accounts in full and on time has the greatest positive impact on your score. So why would paying a collection potentially lower your score?

Here’s why, the last 24 months of activity has the greatest impact on your score. The newer the item the more impact it has. The credit scoring model uses the date of last activity to determine when the 24 month countdown starts. (Note: accounts older than 24 months still have an impact on your credit score). If you have an older collection that has not had any activity on it and you make a payment, you have restarted the clock because you have moved the date of last activity.

Many times collection agencies will try to contact you in order to have you make a payment so that they can keep the account on your credit bureau longer. Per the Fair Credit Reporting Act, collections can stay on your report up to 7 years plus 180 days from the date of last activity. Do not fall for it!

I am not suggesting that you not pay your debts. I am letting you know that there is a strategic way to handle past collections. Here are 3 simple steps:

1. Begin with accounts reporting in the last 12 months.
2. Before you pay anything, write to the credit bureaus and request validation of the debt. Validation is not verification. Federal law specifies what is considered validation. See Fair Debt Collection Practices Act for more information.
3. If debt comes back verified, contact the collection company and negotiate for a lower payment. We suggest that you ask for a pay for delete. A pay for delete is a request that the collection company deletes the entry from your credit report when payment is received. Pay for deletes are becoming increasingly more difficult to get. But, a paid collection is better than an unpaid one.

If you are applying or going to apply for  a home, we suggest you wait until you are instructed by your lender to pay off ANY collections. If your lender tells you pay off a particular account, then they have prepared for the impact it may have on your credit score.

There is nothing anyone can do for you that you can not do for yourself when it comes to your credit. However, if you want guidance and education about credit please contact us at info@intcredit.net.

Tags: budget, collections, credit, Credit Education, Credit Scoring, credit tip, debt collection, Fair Credit Reporting Act, money, Money Tips, Real estate, savings

Today credit is more important than ever. Financial institutions are supposed to loosen their lending requirements, but the opposite has happened. As recently as 18 months ago,  you could qualify for prime lending with a 720 credit score. Now,  in most cases, you need at least a 750 credit score.

As lending requirements go up, so must your credit knowledge. When it comes to credit what you don’t know will hurt you. Below I have listed  five reasons I believe consumers do not get the credit help they need.

1. Credit denial. “My credit is not THAT bad.” Your credit may not be THAT bad, but if your score is not a 750, you need to work on it.

2. Procrastination. “I’ll get around to it.” The fact is that many consumers do not get “around” to working on their credit and the financial damage continues.

3. Timing. “I am not going to apply for credit, so I can wait to fix my credit.” Credit restoration can be a long, drawn out process. If you wait until you need it, it may be too late.

4.Affordability of credit repair. “I can’t afford to pay someone to fix my credit.” The fact is, there is nothing a credit repair company can do for you that you cannot do yourself. If you are not going to take the time to work on your own credit, you cannot afford not to get help. Which brings me to number five.

5. Underestimating what your credit is costing you. Even with today’s rates you could be paying more than over $3400 per year in interest on a $200,000 home if your credit score is a 620 versus a 760. That’s OVER $280.00 per month. Could you use an extra $280.00 per month? For more information see mortgage calculators on banrate.com and myfico.com.

Do not play into the hands of the banks by not working on your credit. If you do not have the time, knowledge, and patience to work on your own credit, hire a professional. Working with the right professional will save you thousands of dollars in the long term.

Tags: Credit Scoring, credit tip, FDCPA, homebuyer, Money Tips, saving, savings

It’s 8:00am on Saturday morning and you are looking forward to sleeping in. Suddenly you are awakened by the telephone ringing. You answer the phone only to be greeted by, “Is this….”  it is a debt collector. As you wipe your eyes, the debt collector begins to telling you “This is a an attempt to collect a debt, any information obtained will be used for that purpose.”

Most debt collectors are very good at informing consumers that they are attempting to collect a debt, how much the alleged debt is, and telling you to pay up. But there are things you need to know that a debt collector won’t tell you. Knowledge is power. A debt collector won’t tell you:

1. You do not have to disclose personal information such as place of employment, banking information, and  sources of income.
2. You can prevent debt collectors from calling you by notifying them in writing to stop calling you. Once the debt collector recieves written notice they can only contact you to tell you they won’t call you anymore or to notify you what actions they may take such as filing a lawsuit.
3. You may be “judgment proof” or “execution proof”. If you are unable to meet your current living expenses or you recieve certain types of income they cannot collect from you.
4. They are attempting to collect on a debt that is past the statute of limitations. If you make a payment, you renew the debt.
5. They may not report to the credit bureaus. Not all collection companies report the credit bureaus.
6. Debt collectors cannot call you before 8:00am or after 9:00pm,. This time is based upon your local time not theirs.
7. Debt collectors cannot use profane or abusive language.
8. You can report any problems you have with a debt collector to your state Attorney General’s office (www.naag.org) and the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov),
9. It is imparative that you familiarize yourself with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This federal law protects consumers against unfair debt collection practices.
10. That you may be able to settle with the debt for pennies on the dollar.
11. That medical collections should not appear on your credit report due to current privacy laws. Your medical information is protected under the Health  Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Knowing your rights is the first step to dealing with any debt collector. Familiarize yourself with the FDCPA and other consumer protection laws by visiting www.ftc.gov,

This article is also posted on http://www.examiner.com

Tags: collections, debt collection, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, FDCPA, HIPAA