Question: Dear Steve, Hello. I’m a 29-year old. I have had only two credit cards (both closed) and now I have a card from a creditor asking for money. I had the credit card when I was in my early 20’s and they only had a credit line of $1,200. So the debt is quite … Read more
Question: Dear Steve, When I was 16, my parents split and my mom was laid off about a year later. I gave her about $10,000 I’d saved at my job between the ages of 16-18. At 18, I started college and was expected to pay for it myself. I tried to sell my only asset, … Read more
“Dear Steve, I made a move to another state for a new job in early 2007. By the end of summer in 2008 I was laid off from my job. I received unemployment pay but I was out of work for more than a year and a half. At the time I was laid off … Read more
“Dear Steve, Some debt collector has been contacting me by phone about an old debt I know nothing about and saying I am going to miss my court date in a state I have not lived in for 10 yrs. Can they file a law suit if you are not notified in person? Donna” Dear … Read more
“Dear Steve, I have recently cleaned up my credit report as I’m getting ready to buy a house. I was contacted by a third party collection agency to pay an old written-off debt to a bank from 2005. I live in WA state. Isn’t the statute of limitations up on this debt? Do I still … Read more
“Dear Steve, A divorce in 2005 caused a significant nose dive to my credit. I am now financially secure to pay my creditors (department cards, one revolving bank card, student loans). 2005 seems to continues to haunt me. I had two major credit cards default. Both card account are no longer on my credit report. … Read more
“Dear Steve, I was homeless for a long time & had a drinking problem iv gone through some programs in one now that helps with rent. im 65 & on a fixed income of 730.a mo. letters say i owe 900 to a co. down so. i know theres more cant get a debt list. … Read more
“Dear Steve, During college I moved out with a friend, which went sour and I end up owing about $1,200 when I had to move out because she didn’t pay. Then my father, who had promised to help me with school went on disability and I couldn’t afford my apt and bills. After this I … Read more
“Dear Steve, Got into financial trouble with ex-husband 12 years ago. Some joint accounts were not closed prior to divorce and as a result did not get paid. I am receiving collection notices for accounts that have fallen off my credit report and over 10 years old. Can these “new” collection people report this on … Read more
“Dear Steve, In 2005 I stopped a gym membership after one year. I did not realize it was a two year contract. My daughter had passed away and I was not going to the gym or anywhere else. The collection agency adds a couple dollars to the debt each month and re-posts to my credit … Read more
“Dear Jeremy, Had a $300 balance on a credit card which was paid off from funds from a refinance 10 years ago. The payment was dispursed along with other payoffs. The payoff was sent directly to the credit card company and not the collection agency that was trying to collect the funds at the time. … Read more
“Dear Steve, Have several old collection accounts (most are over 2 years old). Also had late vehicle payments. Have since paid off the vehicle and bought another, which I am current on. Have paid off 3 other old collections, but still have about $3000 worth of debt. My score was around 590 a few months … Read more
Tom “Dear Steve, I was evicted from a home in New Jersey 1989 and this week I get a letter from a lawyer stating that he represents the owner and wants me to send him over $5000.00 to settle debt with interest. He also states that “”Failure to do so may leave us no choice … Read more
“Dear Steve, I have made mistakes in the past with bills. I really didn’t care about my credit. I am now 32 and have a credit score of 545 and have woke up to my stupid past. I have 14 derogatory things on my credit report. Most of them are not even over 300. I … Read more
“Dear Steve, I am trying to get my financial house in order, I must work on cleaning my credit. Shall I pay off old debts or new debts first? Jeanette” Dear Jeanette, It does not matter what debts you pay off first, unless the old debts are in default, if they are, pay those off … Read more