Q: Is it legal for a mortgage company to all of a sudden demand a deferment balance from 10 years ago now, or will they foreclose on the home I am one month behind on the monthly payment? A: That sounds a lot like a balloon mortgage (a mortgage in which a large portion of … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, My partners and I became very upside down when we did an investment property. One of the partners has had to file bankruptcy. The other put some of the debt on his home and still has some outstanding accounts. We are just deciding what the next steps are to take to get … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I have about $20,000 credit card debt I signed with Litigation Practice Group attorneys. I pay $270 per mo I have not heard from them. When I call, I get a receptionist that knows nothing that is going on. I am getting worried that I may have made a mistake. Please advise. … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I’m married to a husband that refused to listen to me about taking out too many loans, and the COVID pandemic did not help matters. We are over our heads in debt, and he decided to get another loan (he currently has six loans). One of the reasons he applied for the … Read more
The Governor of California has just approved AB 1405 regarding debt settlement practices. Considering the number of debt settlement companies located in especially Southern California, this should create some new risks and liabilities for them. The new law targets not only the companies that sell and perform settlements but also the payment processors as well. … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I recently signed up with Coast Processing, now LPG Litigation Practice Group. So far they have taken 3 payments of $254.06. I am about $12,000 in credit card debt and 4 months with no payments to the credit cards. They say with the program after 36 months my credit is repaired. That … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, In January 2021, I signed with Worden & Associates/Global Holdings LLC to handle my Debt Settlement situation. At that time, I was $7186 in credit card debt. I was told it would take 4 1/2 years to make a $170.99 monthly payment. They have settled 3 of the five credit card companies. … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, Spring Legal Group, a debt resolution group. They are supposed to be helping, and about $4000+ has been automatically deducted from my checking account. It went to a “third party” holding financial institution. Today I reviewed the account (8/27/2021), and there is only $97 in that account. The review shows all kinds … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I’m about 17k in debt, and I throw away most mailers I receive. However, I had women knock on my door tonight in regards to Better Path Financial. Have you ever heard of this place, and is it a scam? Better Path Financial? I can’t find any bad reviews, and yes, that’s … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I was looking at Clear One Advantage and tried clicking on the BBB Accredited Business A+ link featured on the homepage of their website. However, the link doesn’t work. I searched the BBB and found the Clear One Advantage profile, which shows “No Rating.” Here: https://www.bbb.org/us/md/baltimore/profile/debt-relief-services/clearone-advantage-0011-90096368 Any idea why the No Rating? … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, Between my Visa and my line of credit, I owe $25,000, I would like you to tell me if the Litigation Practice Group is a good company to go with, LPG out of San Clemente, California. I live in Utah. Kerin Answer: Dear Kerin, Litigation Practice Group seems to be an interest … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I have about $15,000 in credit card and other debt. Advocate Debt Relief, a division of Start New Financial, reached out to me and offered me a program. Are they legit? In order to do their program, they have to close your credit cards. Is that worth the credit score hit? It … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I have an elderly client who struggles w mental health who is using Coast Processing Debt relief company and I am really concerned that they are a scam. They already asked her to get a different bank (she uses Wells Fargo) and she is paying them monthly thinking they will pay down … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, I signed 01-26-2021. I felt rushed to view paperwork. On the phone I was told Lakeview Law Group would get my creditors to settle at 40 to 50 percent reduction, that I was told the only payment I would have to make was the monthly amount to Lakeview for 42 months and … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, Was scammed by WyoLaw Firm for about a year/ I wondered if ‘victims’ of the WyoLaw firm should be receiving any compensation after the settlement. Being offered roughly 5k to sign a release, but I feel like it’s not enough with how much damage it has done to my credit. Can I … Read more