Question: Dear Steve, I had two Amex cards, Blue and EveryDay. Unfortunately, they were both closed due to “dispute abuse.” I applied for the Cash Magnet Blue Card, got approved, then when the system updated, it got canceled; how do I get an Amex card? Hansel Answer: Dear Hansel, You don’t. It seems the previous … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, Steve Vanderhoof’s widow Rayan Vanderhoof and her CURRENT STATUS with the Department of Justice and her company Olympus Medical Group Corporation for Medicare Fraud? Was Ms. Vanderhoof ever convicted? Answer: Many of the court records in the case of the United States of America v. Rayan Vanderhoof are sealed and not publicly … Read more
Vista College, a chain of for-profit college campuses, closed and went bankrupt a few days ago. Most Vista campuses are in Texas, but the chain filed its bankruptcy proceedings in Delaware. Who Owns Vista College? Education Futures Group (EFG), a Chicago-based private equity firm, holds a majority interest. Jim Tolbert, Vista’s CEO, owns 16.7 percent. … Read more
Car warranties can be a helpful tool for keeping your car safe and reliable. An extended car warranty is much like the warranties that come with new cars. It covers your car’s mechanical and electrical systems, such as the engine and transmission, if they break down. Unfortunately, there are many extended car warranty scams out … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I have a question about something I read that Dave Ramsey said. He said he went back and paid his creditors years after his bankruptcy even though he didn’t legally have to. Is that even possible? I’m only asking because now that we are in a better financial situation, we can afford … Read more
Baylor University, a Baptist institution located in Waco, Texas, is a well-respected school. Over the years, it has risen steadily in the college ratings and now ranks among the top 100 American universities. But Baylor is expensive–tuition and fees are about $50,000 a year. Low-income students can take out federal loans, but these loans are … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, Hi, I’m currently in bankruptcy which will be done in a couple of months for my $20k in credit card debt. However, my next battle is to figure out how I will pay for my $190k in student loan debt. These are both federal and private loans. Private loans from Sallie Mae. … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I am $25,000 in debt. I gross $60,000. Should I use CCCS services or try to do this on my own? I’m overwhelmed, single mom, two kids, mortgage. I have no breathing room left. The very card is maxed, and now with interest, I will be over my limits. Should I use … Read more
The Federal Trade Commission is blanketing industry with a clear message that, if they use endorsements to deceive consumers, the FTC will be ready to hold them responsible with every tool at its disposal. “Receipt of the notice puts your company on notice that engaging in conduct described therein could subject the company to civil … Read more
Cases tossed out against Benjamin Zuckerman, Berger Singerman, Chantel L. Grant, GM Law Firm, Gregory Fishman, Julie Queler, Kevin Mason, National Legal Staffing Support. The cases involving the student loan assistance companies above were dismissed by the Court ending a previous flurry of suits attempting to recover money for consumers. The reason why it appears … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, Every once in a while, I get a weird voice mail threatening legal action through county court services claiming the caller’s client has attempted to contact me several times. The callback number given is 833-259-6457, which a search links to Bellman & Sterns, https://www.bellmanandsterns.com/. I’m not hard to find; having just purchased … Read more
The leading programming language, Python, has become a go-to tool for financial calculations and debt management. Widely used in quantitative finance to analyze large datasets, Python also allows users to manage their own money. With simple and easy-to-learn functions, anyone with basic math knowledge can use a variety of financial calculations in Python. Keep reading … Read more
Have you ever tried to resolve a dispute with a corporate entity: a bank, a car rental agency, a credit card company? How did it turn out? Most times–I’m guessing–you just gave up without getting your problem solved. A couple of years ago, Chase Bank flagged a fraudulent transfer out of my checking account. Three … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, My mother has severe Alzheimer’s, and I am her legal Guardian. When she was starting to get Alzheimer’s, she charged up her credit card to the point that it would have never been paid off. When I found out about it, I decided not to spend all her money to pay for … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, We have 12 yrs left on our 1st TD. It’s an ARM with a current rate of 2.75% and adjusts annually in June. We also have a HELOC with the entire 50k balance due as a balloon payment in 2023, interest-only payments at 4.5% until then. We presently have a fair credit … Read more