Credit Card Debt Archives - Page 13 of 15

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Credit Card Debt, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

New FICO Program Aims to Help Consumers Improve Credit Scores

Posted on November 15, 2018by Admin

Consumers are always looking for new ways to improve their credit scores. Lenders and other financial institutions use these scores to determine whether a consumer is a risk when it comes to receiving a loan or credit so it is important that the scores reflect a consumer’s positive financial behavior. Currently, several different credit scores are available to financial institutions and lenders based on consumer behavior, but now there is one more as FICO launches its “opt-in” credit score.

FICO is the largest and arguably best-known company that provides software to calculate a person’s credit score. Originally known as Fair, Issac and Company, FICO has now become a fixture for consumer lending in the U.S, and a consumer’s FICO score is often seen as a major factor in determining a consumer’s fiscal responsibility.

The traditional way of improving a credit score has been for the consumer to exercise good financial behavior, such as paying bills on time, keeping a low balance on their credit card accounts, and avoiding spending over their given card’s limit. While this behavior is still encouraged, FICO is offering a new way to incorporate good financial data into a consumer’s FICO credit score.

This new score is being referred to as the Ultra FICO Score. It is a product created in partnership with two other financial institutions, Finicity and Experian, and allows the consumer to give these companies permission to have electronic access to certain financial information that will help boost their credit scores. This access can include data from the consumer’s bank accounts to show how long these accounts have been open, provide proof that the consumer has savings and show frequency of activity in these accounts.

For consumers who have credit scores in the upper 500s to lower 600s, it is hoped that the Ultra FICO program will help these individuals rebuild their credit, especially if they are struggling after a significant crisis in their lives. This program is expected to launch at the start of 2019. However, the access to the pilot program will be limited until approximately mid-2019.

If you have 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 McMaken 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 McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Credit, Credit Card Debt

More than Thirty Percent of Homeowners Paying for Home Renovations with Credit

Posted on October 30, 2018by Admin

Despite the fact that American homeowners hold more equity in their homes than ever before, a growing number are using credit cards for major renovations. This trend has financial experts scratching their heads as to why these homeowners are choosing to use credit cards in lieu of less risky options to pay for major home expenses.

According to a recent study done by home improvement website Houzz and Synchrony Financial, of the home renovations completed in 2017, over 36 percent of them were funded by credit cards. This figure has jumped over 25 percent from 2011 where 29.5 percent of home renovations were paid with a credit card. It appears as if this number is steadily increasing over the years.

In the survey, 85 percent of those who responded said that they utilized cash or savings to pay for their renovations, which is the ideal situation. However, 33 percent of them said they used credit cards to pay for the renovations, while only 15 percent of them used a home equity loan.

This new trend seems to be led by the millennial generation. These younger homeowners prefer to use credit in lieu of a long-term loan to pay for major expenses. Of the homeowners surveyed between the ages of 25 and 34 years old, 41 percent of them paid for home renovations with credit cards. Of the older demographic, specifically homeowners over the age of 55 years old, only 30 percent of them used credit cards for major renovations.

This younger generation of homeowners is more likely to pay off these expenses over the course of time. According to the survey, over 60 percent of those individuals intend to pay those credit card balances over the course of time. In fact, many of these homeowners make these large expenses by using a promotional card, many of which offer low or no interest for a specific period. If the homeowner can pay off the expenses within that period, they will not have to pay on any interest. The problem arises when the homeowner is not able to pay the balance before the promotional period expires. If that happens, he or she will be paying a large interest rate on the remaining balance. This possibility of incurring interest is additionally why many older homeowners prefer to pay for renovations with a home equity loan.

Another reason these younger homeowners are using a credit card for payment is the quick access they have to the funds. Applying for and being approved for a home equity loan can be a much longer process, and if the homeowner needs the money quickly, a credit card may seem like the better option. However, the consequences of using a credit must be weighed against the benefits before determining which option is best for you.

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Bankruptcy Law, Credit Card Debt, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Tips to Protect Yourself from Zombie Debt Collectors

Posted on October 25, 2018by Admin

Debt collectors can be persistent when it comes to trying to collect on a past-due account. While many of these efforts may be completely valid, debt collectors will even try to collect on debt that is not legally collectible, otherwise known as “zombie debt.”

What exactly is zombie debt? A zombie debt is a past-due account that is outside of the statute of limitations, meaning it is not legally collectible. Every state has a statute of limitations which sets how long a creditor has to sue on an unpaid debt.

Florida’s statute of limitations varies depending on the type of debt. For example, written contracts such as personal loans, the statute of limitations is five years. So once this type of debt is more than five years past due, the lender can no longer sue to collect money owed. For other debts, the statute of limitations is shorter. Oral contracts and revolving accounts such as credit cards have a statute of limitations of four years.

However, just because the timeline has passed does not mean the creditor will stop trying to collect on the old debt. Many debtors will mistakenly pay on a debt that is past the statute of limitations because they are not aware of this legal protection.

It is extremely important that you not pay on a debt that is past the date for the statute of limitations. A single payment can reactivate the debt and reset the clock on the statute of limitations. This tactic is otherwise known as re-aging an old debt, and it is one that is commonly used by debt collectors to trick debtors into paying on a debt that they would not be legally obligated to pay.

If a debt collector contacts you on a debt, the first step to take is to request written verification on the debt. The debt collector must provide you with information to show how old the debt is and how much is owed. If the debt is past your state’s statute of limitations, you will not be legally required to pay back the debt.

It also helps to know your rights when it comes to communications from debt collectors. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), third-party debt collectors are prohibited from engaging in collection tactics that are harassing, threatening or illegal. If the collector is contacting you before the hours of 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m., they are in violation of the FDCPA.

The same rule applies if they contact you at work if you have informed them that they are not to contact you there. They are prohibited from using threatening or abusive language when trying to collect on the debt, as well. They also cannot misrepresent who they are by saying that they are an attorney or litigation firm when contacting you. They are also not allowed to threaten a lawsuit if they know they have no grounds to file one, especially if the statute of limitations has expired.

If you feel you have been a victim of zombie debt collection, first request that the debt collector provide you written documentation verifying the debt and check for any discrepancies. It is important that you respond to all court summonses to ensure that a debt collector does not win a court case by default.

If you have received notice of a lawsuit on a debt that has expired per the statute of limitations, do not ignore the suit and simply assume the court will recognize on its own that the debt is old. Courts give you a limited time to file an answer to a legal complaint, and by not responding, you could end up with a default judgment that is not in your favor. If you receive a notice of a claim for a debt that has expired, it is important that you contact an attorney who can file an answer on your behalf stating that the debt is past the statute of limitations and further protect your legal rights.

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Bankruptcy Law, Credit Card Debt, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

How to Lower Credit Card Debt and Improve your Credit Score

Posted on October 24, 2018by Admin

Having a good credit score can make many things in life easier, especially when it comes to purchasing a new home or vehicle. However, it can be easy to get off track. Credit card debt with a high interest rate is one way to lower your credit score, but for many Americans, that is exactly what has happened to their financial situations.

The problem of credit card debt may be more widespread than we think. According to Experian, the average American consumer owes more than $6,000 in credit card debt. This figure has gone up three percent in just one year. This amount of debt can be very difficult to get out of, even for someone earning a decent annual income.

Retail credit cards can be particularly tempting, especially when offered a great deal at the cash register, but these cards come with high interest rates and can be easy to rack up debt. Unless you are able to pay the retail card off in full after making the purchase, it is not recommended that you sign up for these department store cards.

Many consumers believe that not having a credit card is best when it comes to staying out of debt, but it is important to at least establish a credit score. Having one card, using it for minimal expenses and making payments on the balance in full on a regular basis every month can be an excellent way to establish that strong credit score. In fact, by having a high credit score, you have a better chance of getting a card with a low interest rate when opening the account.

What happens if you do have credit card debt that has gotten out of hand? If possible, it is best to make a larger payment than the minimum payment amount. If any extra money is available in the person’s budget, it is best to put that extra money towards paying the debt. In addition, it can help to focus efforts on one card at a time, usually the card with the highest interest rate first. Once that card is paid, focus all the money that was going towards the first card on the next one and so on until the accounts are paid in full.

If you are not able to keep up on payments, contact the credit card company to negotiate a lower payment. If you fall behind on payments, it may be wise to contact a credit counselor to discuss repayment plans or negotiate the debt amount. If you are not able to make either of these options work, it may be time to talk to a bankruptcy attorney to discuss the options available to help eliminate the debt.

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Credit, Credit Card Debt, Debt Relief

How Your Grace Period Can Save You from Credit Card Debt

Posted on October 14, 2018by Admin

Using a credit card for certain purchases doesn’t have to be a bad thing, but problems arise when these purchases pile up and the account holder is not able to pay off the statement balance every month. Successfully utilizing the credit card’s grace period, can help avoid this.

What Is a Grace Period?

The grace period is the time an account holder’s credit card billing period ends and when the payment is due, as indicated on the statement. It is during this period that the account holder will not be charged interest on any purchases made during the billing cycle so long as he or she pays the balance in full by the due date.

Benefits of Grace Periods

A card’s grace period can allow for the cardholder to make a large purchase interest free. If the consumer makes the purchase right after the closing date of a current billing cycle, he or she can leverage the grace period to avoid interest charges.

Word of Caution

One word of caution should be issued when it comes to grace periods. Not all credit cards offer them. It is important the cardholder review the fine print for the account to make sure that the grace period exists and for how long.

Can a Grace Period Be Lost?

If the account holder is not careful, he or she could lose a grace period. One misconception is if the person carries even a small balance from one billing cycle to the next cycle, the cardholder will lose the grace period. However, many cards offer initial terms that include zero percent APRs on purchases so long as they make these purchases within the period offered, which is normally 12 to 18 months. Even if the cardholder loses the grace period, many cards will reinstate it if the cardholder pays the card’s outstanding balance in full for two straight months.

Can a Grace Period Be Extended?

Sometimes it is possible to extend a grace period. Many companies will change the card’s due date if requested and push the due date back can allow the cardholder extra time. Not all cardholders will allow for it, but it does not hurt to ask if this is a possibility.

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Bankruptcy Law, Credit Card Debt, Debt Relief

Study shows women struggle more with credit card debt than men

Posted on October 11, 2018by Admin

Credit card debt is a problem for many Americans but according to a recent study by WalletHub, it appears to be more prominent among women.

Credit card spending is at an all-time high. Last quarter, consumers ran up nearly $30 billion in credit card debt, the highest seen since the 2008 financial crisis.

In this study, women cardholders reported that they were struggling with their card payments, on top of other monthly expenses. In fact, one in four female cardholders reported that they did not feel confident at all in their ability to pay their bills in full monthly. This figure is double the percentage of men reporting the same sentiments.

Approximately 31 percent of women surveyed reported that they were able to pay their credit card monthly statement balances completely in full once or less in the past six months.

What does this mean for female cardholders? According to these figures, if we had two groups of individuals, one group female and one group male, each carrying $5,700 of credit card debt, paying this balance off in full will end up eating up much more of the total annual income for the women than the men.

Federal reserve figures report that the average female salary is $41,554 annually while their male counterparts earn on average $51,640 annually. Paying just shy of $6,000 in credit card debt ends up taking a much larger percentage of their annual income, making it much harder to keep up with other monthly expenses.

Single mothers are a subgroup that is suffering particularly hard. Many of these women are already on tight budgets, and when a major expense hits, it can be hard for them to keep up with monthly bills, let alone pay a credit card off in full. Some even rely on credit cards to cover daily expenses.

Did you know that one of the leading causes of bankruptcy in America is divorce? Many people say issues regarding money cause divorce, but money problems after divorce can also be equally troubling. In many instances, single mothers become the sole financial providers for themselves and their children.

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Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Credit Card Debt, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Online Auto Lender Faces Scrutiny over Lending Practices

Posted on October 5, 2018by Admin

If you have been struggling to pay your bills and need money quickly, it can be tempting to take out a loan against your car to get the cash. There are many online companies that exist for this exact purpose.

One company, Marlin Financial, has been the focus of recent scrutiny regarding these types of loans. A recent Tampa Bay Times story exposed the laws that Marlin Financial has been accused of breaking, leaving customers with more debt than they originally anticipated. The story featured 20 Marlin Financial customers, as well as former employees, who were approved loans that the company was not legally authorized to make.

In fact, the company’s debt cancellation policy resulted in interest rates that were well over the state limits. The company also deliberately failed to give their customers a chance to take personal belongings that were inside repossessed cars after these belongings were reported.

Marlin Financial now finds itself part of a consumer protection investigation by the Florida Attorney General’s office. One such violation the company is accused of making is the law that requires lenders to tell the car owners where their cars are being held and give them the chance to come and get their personal belongings in the car.

The company is also accused of not listing the fees for their loans as annual percentage rates, which is required by federal law.

Another violation, and arguably the most significant one, centers on Marlin Financial’s business practices and the policies that their customers purchased through their company. Deep within the fine print, the company requires their customers to either elect to purchase their debt cancellation product or decline the purchase. Unless the customers truly understand what this mean, he or she is likely signing on the dotted line with no clue what this could mean for his or her legal rights later.

Customers reported that when trying to decline the option, they were not able to complete the online transaction. Only by clicking “accept” for the debt cancellation policy were they able to successfully complete their application. Legally, debt cancellation should only be optional and viewed as an add-on product, but customers reported that it was essentially required for them to purchase the product.

Purchasing the debt cancellation add-on option ended up costing the borrowers 125 percent of their loan owed, which basically doubles the amount owed. Normally an add-on like debt cancellation is also done through a separate company from the original lender, but Marlin Financial offers an in-house option, which basically means the customers are paying the same company twice for the money lent.

The Florida state agency that licenses lenders like Marlin Financial, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation has received 12 total complaints within the last four years against the company while the Florida Attorney General has received 19. The Better Business Bureau has received a total of 32 complaints in this same period. The Florida Attorney General has opened an investigation into Marlin Financial’s business practices, which is ongoing.

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Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Credit Card Debt, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Tips to Improve Your Credit Score

Posted on September 26, 2018by Admin

A consumer’s credit score can mean so much when it comes to buying a home or car, but once your credit score takes a serious hit, whether it be due to a default or a bankruptcy, you can start to rebuild your score immediately. One of the biggest misconceptions about filing for bankruptcy is that it will ruin your credit score and your financial future. To the contrary, after filing for bankruptcy you can begin restoring your credit right away.

Here are some tips to improve your overall credit score.

Understand How Credit Scores Are Calculated

It helps to first understand how credit scores are calculated. These reports are issued by the three major credit reporting companies, including TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. The scores range between 350 to 800. The higher the score, the better. A credit score is calculated using that person’s payment history, the amounts owed on each account reported, how long that person has had a credit history, and how much credit activity is on their account.

Make a Goal

If you want to improve your credit score, it is important to set goals. Set the number you would like to see your credit score within a certain period of time. For example, you may choose to set a goal of increasing your credit score by 50 points within the next four months.

Keep an Eye on Your Credit Report

The best way to know where your credit score falls on the spectrum is to keep an eye on your credit report. Free credit reports can be requested annually online or by mailing a request to Annual Credit Report Request Service at P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348. After receiving the report, it is recommended that you carefully review all accounts listed. If you see any accounts that you know you did not open and could have been created due to identity theft, this information should be reported immediately. If an account is listed that should be closed, you can contact the company directly to update that information. The same would go for if any incorrect information is found on the report, such as a late payment incorrectly put on the account. Correcting this information can result in your credit score going up a few points. Keeping a close eye on your credit report can also allow you to track progress if you are working hard to improve the score.

Pay Your Bills on Time

The best way to keep your credit score looking good is to pay your bills on time. Credit builds up over time, and this is done through consistent and positive financial behavior. One way to ensure this happens is to sign up for automatic or online payments so that these expenses are paid automatically and require no action by the account holder. If you are not able to pay a bill on time, it is best to keep late payments to no more than 30 days. The reason for this is most creditors will not report late payments until they are 60 days late.

Focus on the Bad Debt

Paying down your debt is an excellent way to improve your credit score, and it helps to start with what is considered “bad” debt first. If you have multiple credit cards, choose the one with the highest balance and/or the highest interest rate. Focus your efforts on that one card, and once that card is paid, take the card that has the second highest rate. Many times, this “bad” card is the one that is the oldest and has the highest outstanding balance.

Use the debt avalanche method to attack the debt. What this entails is the person chooses the card with the highest interest rate, and he or she uses all extra money that he or she has available at paying off that card. After that card is paid off, the money that was used to pay that card goes to the next one, and so on. The idea is the money that goes towards the card snowballs in size, helping to pay each one down quicker than the person would be able to do with just meeting monthly minimum payments.

Do Not Open New Credit Accounts

While you are paying down debt, it is best to not open any new credit accounts during this time. Opening new accounts will only make the goal of trying to pay off open cards even harder. It can be tempting, especially if you are offered a deal at a department store to save on a purchase, but do not fall to temptation and open that new card.

Keep the Balances Low

Getting debt under control can be very difficult if the balances owed are particularly high. Credit cards that have high balances and high interest rates can be difficult to get under control. The higher the balance, the more interest is paid every month instead of money towards the principal. A good rule of thumb is to keep credit card balances capped at 30 percent of the card’s available credit. Always make sure when making payments that more money is being paid towards the card than the minimum payment. On cards with high balances, this minimum payment is normally only paying interest, which can make the cardholder feel like he or she is never going to pay the card off in full.

Set up an Emergency Fund

Experts recommend that everyone have a “rainy-day” fund of at least six months of that person’s annual income. This money should be set aside in the event of a health crisis or job loss and can help you avoid the need to use credit to keep up with daily expenses.

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Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Credit Card Debt, Debt Relief

Credit Card Debt Increasing at An Alarming Rate for the Floridians

Posted on September 5, 2018by Admin

Credit card debt is a problem for many Americans across the country, but for Floridians, this problem is growing at what experts say is an alarming rate. According to recent figures released by the credit reporting agency, Experian, Floridians are using their credit cards more than ever, increasing their debt at the nation’s second fastest rate.

The State of Nevada tops the list of states with the highest credit card rate, but Florida is a close second. In fact, credit card balances have increased 8.59 percent as compared to the same time last year. Currently, the national average is at 6.58 percent, and Florida’s rate is well above this national average.

According to Experian, credit card debt nationally is at an all-time high, reaching $786 billion by the end of 2017. It is up 6.7 percent from 2016. The average American holds a credit card balance of $6,354. The use of store credit cards, mortgage debt and debt overall also increased approximately three percent.

Credit card debt can be a slippery slope and is one of the most common problems facing those with serious financial issues. With exorbitant interest rates, fees and penalties, making only the minimum payment does not even begin to make a dent in the total balance.

Credit card companies design fee and repayment structures to keep you from ever getting out of debt. An unexpected job loss or serious medical diagnosis, even a trip to the emergency room can put significant financial strain on individuals and families who are already facing mounting credit card debt.

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Credit, Credit Card Debt, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

The Truth About Credit Card Debt Forgiveness

Posted on August 31, 2018by Admin

The thought of having your credit card debt completely forgiven can seem too good to be true. However, like so many things in life, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The truth is, debt settlement comes with its own set of unintended consequences.

If a consumer is not able to pay off a credit card balance and has missed a number of payments, that person may choose to either work directly with the credit card company- or if the debt is sold, a third-party debt collector to settle payment. Credit card companies want to receive payment at the end of the day, and they are willing to accept less than what is owed in lieu of not receiving payment at all if the debtor chooses to file for bankruptcy and have the debt discharged.

The problem with debt settlement involves the consequences that come along with settling your credit card debt. For one, even if the balance is settled, it can still have a negative impact on a consumer’s credit score. In addition, if the amount that originally was owed is a lot more than the amount that ended up being paid, the difference is still considered taxable income by the IRS and state government, which means the consumer will have to pay taxes on the forgiven debt.

If you are successful in negotiating the amount with the creditor, make sure these agreements are in writing and be wary of any plans that seem too good to be true. If you are receiving collection calls, unable to make payments, facing wage garnishment or have a lawsuit pending with a creditor, it is important to at least sit down with an experienced bankruptcy attorney, who can advise you of all your options.

Consumers should avoid working with debt settlement companies. The cons often outweigh the pros, as many of these companies engage in unfair practices, require their clients pay large upfront fees and result in a consumer’s credit being irreparably damaged, and still left with debt.

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