Q: What are my debt relief options if I am delinquent on both my federal student loans and my private student loans? A: Falling behind on your student loan payments is a problem far too common. I speak with people on a frequent basis facing delinquency in payment of their student loans. One of the problems I hear most often ... Read More »

Last week the CFPB and the FTC held a workshop to address what happens to unpaid debts at different stages of the debt collection cycle. The workshop brought together state and federal regulators, economists, major banks, debt collection agencies, debt buyers, consumer advocate attorneys, technology companies, members of the judiciary, credit reporting agencies, and more. The workshop was aptly titled ... Read More »

A reader just posted a complaint about SLS Managers and in looking up the company address I came across the oddest comment by the BBB about this company. SLS Managers says they are located at 23172 Plaza Pointe #128, Laguna Hills, CA. – Source But the BBB says, “BBB received returned mail from “23172 Plaza Pointe Dr #138 Laguna Hills, ... Read More »

An amazing reader, Carol, sent in a new debt relief mailer through my I Buy Junk Mail program. What caught my eye at first was how the company sending out this mailer from Postal Permit 1297 is not identified on the envelope or the mailer. This clearly appears to be a lead generation mailer by some totally unknown company. Any ... Read More »

This report is republished from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and contains the authors analysis and finding about bankruptcy following the 2005 reform. Personal bankruptcy was introduced in the United States through the Bankruptcy Act of 1978. After passage of the act, bankruptcy rates rose steadily until 2005, when Congress passed the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection ... Read More »

An awesome series of videos about the realities of identity theft and an introduction to the worst identity thieves around. Find out what it’s not the stranger you need to worry about and why it’s so important to monitor your credit bureau reports for activity on your current accounts. Grab the perfect beverage and spend some time watching these videos. ... Read More »

According to The Gazette, World Law, the debt settlement company, has been hit with an injunction in Colorado. Allegedly, World law ran into trouble in Colorado for false advertising and violations of the Colorado Debt Management Services Act. It seems World Law did not win friends in Colorado after the company ignored a district court order to stop activities in ... Read More »

Multiple media outlets are reporting the debt settlement company Morgan Drexen has lost a Wisconsin appeals court ruling and is ordered to refund $4.2 million in settlement fees. A state appeals court says a hearing examiner properly ordered a debt settlement company to give up $4.2 million in fees and pay nearly $2 million in forfeitures because it was operating ... Read More »

An amazing reader sent in a new debt relief mailer through my I Buy Junk Mail program. The offer sent out by a company identified as Life Financial planning, 575 Menlo Drive #1, Rocklin, California 95765 seems to be misleading on so many levels. I would urge anyone who receives a similar offer to conduct their own due diligence. While ... Read More »

Money, credit, and debt issues filter through our lives in so many ways. In this look at money through Broadway tunes, we get a closer look at what casual society has to say about being rich, poor, broke, happy, sad, and the morality of money. This program runs about an hour but it’s worth setting aside the time to listen ... Read More »

A reader recently wrote in, concerned about whether an old unpaid student loan could be reported to the credit reporting agencies: I was recently contacted about an old school loan. It is either close or very close to the statue of limitation and has never showed up on my credit report. I thought maybe the school charged it off years ... Read More »

Q. I have been in a debt management plan for a year now. The payments are over $1,400 per month and I am having difficulty making these payments. Should I try to continue with my Debt Management Plan? A. In a Debt Management Plan (DMP), you make monthly deposits with the company that arranges this plan for you. The company ... Read More »

Upon entering the Eastside Arts Alliance in East Oakland, it’s clear that this a special kind of conference. On the welcome table is a stack of name tag stickers, the kind that usually read “Hello, My Name Is…” But these stickers read: “Hello, My DEBT Is…” These badges are stuck onto the shirts of many of the 70-some people here, ... Read More »

The Federal Trade Commission recently filed a sealed complaint against Regency Financial Services, Ivan Levy; AKA Fidelity Holdings, Levy Fidelity Holdings, Ivan Levy Regency Holdings, BJI Enterprises. The FTC alleges the following in the complaint: “Since at least 2009, Regency, acting primarily through co-defendant Ivan Levy, has perpetrated a vehicle loan assistance relief services scam. Regency preys on consumers who ... Read More »

While applying for and receiving student loans is easier than in years past, many students sign up for heavy debt burdens without familiarizing themselves with important loan terms. Without knowing basic terminology, students are unable to competitively shop for loans, and choose the one that works best for them. Here are a few key terms to know: Principal – The ... Read More »