March 2016 - Page 3 of 3 - FREE CONSULTATION

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Student Loans, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Rapper Releases Hit Song About Paying Back Student Loans

Posted on March 3, 2016by Admin

New Orleans-based rapper, David Augustine Jr., or Dee-1, went viral with his hit song “Sallie Mae Back,” an ode to the struggle of paying back student loan debt. Augustine, a former middle school math teacher, landed a record deal in 2013 with RCA Inspiration and has since paid off his student loan debt in full.

The teacher-turned-rapper attended Louisiana State University and although he was awarded scholarships, they only covered about half of his tuition, room and board. He took out student loans to cover the rest of his education costs.

After landing his record deal and receiving an advance on his album, Augustine said it was obvious how he should spend the money. “I was like, how should I spend this? Most rappers buy a new car; they go ball out; they take a vacation; they go buy new jewelry, with this advance, I wanted to break the stereotypes of how people normally spend them – and get out of debt,” Augustine said.

After knowing the financial stresses that come with student loan debt, Augustine turned his relatable experience into his song’s subject. He released a video for the song “Sallie Mae Back,” on February 11^th that has since gone viral and turned into an anthem for recent grads struggling to pay back their student loan debt. The video has been viewed more than five million times on social media.

The songs lyrics tell the story that millions of college students can relate to:

“Needed tuition

Needed room and board

Had to pay for books so I took out loans to feed the boy

Graduated wasn’t making quite enough to pay em back

Went in default messed my credit up

Check my Equifax

I ain’t proud of that

I’m more proud that I drown in that

I got two jobs really got on my grind

No time to whine I can’t ride the pine

In the game right now my time to shine

Started paying them loans back one at a time

Got them down down down

Down down down down down till I paid them all off”

Augustine has also been following the topic of student loans along the presidential campaign trail. He said, “It is ear candy to my generation to hear ‘let’s make college free.’ That’s easy.”

For borrowers who are struggling with student loan debt, relief options are available. Many student loan borrowers are unaware that they have rights and repayment options available to them, such as postponement of loan payments, reduction of payments or even a complete discharge of the debt. It is important you contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Related Resources:

http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/24/living/sallie-mae-back-dee1-video-viral-

http://www.forbes.com/sites/tomanderson/2016/02/24/meet-the-rapper-who-made-paying-back-student-loans-a-viral-hit/#509f3580b8cb

http://time.com/money/4236509/sallie-mae-dee-1-rap-student-loans/

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

How to Conquer Your Medical Debt

Posted on March 2, 2016by Admin

Millions of Americans struggle with medical debt. In fact, studies show that between 2005 and 2013, medical debts were the single largest contributor to personal bankruptcy filings in the U.S.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) said that half of all overdue debt on credit reports is medical debt; one in five credit reports contain overdue medical debt; and 15 million consumers have only medical debt on their credit reports.

Unfortunately, many Americans do not fully understand their rights and protections when it comes to medical debt. Understanding medical debt collection laws can help you better manage your medical debt.

What to do if your bill contains an error.

Medical debt collection laws vary by state, but in most states healthcare providers and debt collection agencies are allowed to contact you regarding a debt that you owe. However, you are allowed to challenge that debt if you believe it is incorrect. You can also tell the debt collector to stop contacting you. According to Exhale Healthcare Advocates, more than 50 percent of all medical bills contain errors, so it is important to contest your medical bills if you believe there is an error.

In order to challenge your medical bill, you must first ask for an itemization of the bill and request an internal audit. There are websites you can visit that will show you what fair prices for medical services should be, based on your location and zip code, such as www.healthcarebluebook.com. If you feel that your bill contains an error or you have been overcharged for a medical service, you should contact an attorney.

What to do if your insurance company denied your claim.

If your health insurance company has denied your medical claim, you can appeal the company’s denial. Before you do so, it is important that you know and understand the guidelines, including all of the fine print within your insurance policy. Most patients can get the claim denial overturned after one appeal; however, this can be a long drawn out process.

What to do if you are being harassed by a debt collection agency.

It is imperative that you understand your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), since medical debts are considered consumer debts. This means all protections of the FDCPA apply to third party debt collectors if your debt is in default. If you feel that your rights have been violated under the FDCPA, you should contact the CFPB and file a complaint.

How to pay down legitimate medical debt.

Do not pay your medical bills before you know how much your insurance company is going to cover.

Never pay more than you owe based on your insurance coverage. For example, if your healthcare provider tries to charge your insurance company $300 for a Band-Aid, and your insurance company only pays $5. The hospital can come after you personally for the rest. This practice is called “balance billing” and is on the rise. Many Floridians are at risk for balance billing and are often unaware of the financial consequences. Individuals who run the greatest risk are those who have health policies from a private company that is not an HMO. Most are PPOs, preferred provider organizations. Those in an HMO would see all their bills covered: ambulance, hospital and doctors. But those who have another type of health insurance could be faced with astronomical medical bills after a trip to the ER or hospital.

If you receive medical bills that you legitimately owe, contact your healthcare provider to work out a monthly payment plan that works with your financial situation.

Those who have experienced illness or injury and found themselves overwhelmed with medical debt should contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney. In bankruptcy, medical bills are considered general unsecured debts just like credit cards. This means that medical bills do not receive priority treatment and can easily be discharged in bankruptcy. Bankruptcy laws were created to help people resolve overwhelming debt and gain a fresh financial start. Bankruptcy attorney Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

http://blog.credit.com/2016/02/help-im-in-serious-debt-with-medical-bills-137177/

Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Citibank Ordered to Stop Collections on $34 Million in Credit Card Debt, Fined $8 Million

Posted on March 1, 2016by Admin

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) fined Citibank $8 million last week for allegedly selling credit card debt with inflated interest rates and failing to send consumers’ payments to debt buyers. The credit card giant has also agreed to stop collections on $34 million in credit card debt held by nearly 7,000 consumers.

The CFPB said that Citibank hired two debt collection law firms, Faloni & Associates, LLC, and Solomon & Solomon, P.C., who reportedly altered affidavits filed in New Jersey debt collection lawsuits. Both firms are accused of changing either the dates of the affidavits or the amount owed; in some cases both, after they were executed, which is a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Citibank claims the agency first learned of violations in 2011 and stopped referring new credit card accounts to it.

In a separate action, the CFPB ordered Citibank to refund $11 million to consumers who were affected by the alleged altered affidavits and nearly $5 million to approximately 2,100 consumers who were affected by the inflated APRs. Citibank has complied and has already issued refunds. Citibank did not admit or deny any of the CFPB’s allegations as part of the enforcement actions.

Fair debt collection practices have been a focus for the CFPB in recent years. Both JPMorgan Chase and American Express have been fined millions for illegal debt collection practices involving credit card debt.

CFPB Director Richard Cordray said in a press release, “Citibank sent inaccurate information to buyers when it sold off credit card debt and it also used law firms that altered court documents. Today’s action provides redress to consumers who were victimized by slipshod practices as part of our ongoing work to fight abuses in the debt collection market.”

If you have any questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Related Resources:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2016/02/24/citibank-will-stop-collecting-34-million-in-credit-card-debt.html

http://www.americanbanker.com/news/law-regulation/cfpb-fines-citibank-8m-over-debt-collections-1079533-1.html