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Congress Toughens Bankruptcy Laws but Americans Get Deeper in Debt
ATLANTA, Ga. - Bankruptcies and foreclosures are at an all-time high, and millions of Americans are struggling without success to get out of debt, but help is on the way with a free financial fitness workshop Oct. 22.
Congress has created new laws...
Debt Consolidation
There are many reasons why people get into debt - some of them self inflicted and some of them way outside of our control. Losing a job, illness or accidents, all of these can suddenly plunge one into unexpected expenditure, and often the only...
Debt Consolidation Mortgage Loan - Pros And Cons
Debt consolidation mortgage loans can help you lower your
interest rates and monthly payments. With reduced rates, you can
also pay off your debt sooner. However, reducing your equity
could subject you to private mortgage rates. You may also end...
Restore Your Credit Rating And Reduce Debts
Your credit rating affects many areas of your life. Opening new credit accounts, buying a home or car, getting a new job, and receiving discounts on insurance rates are just a few of the things that are impacted by your credit score. Millions of...
Seven Ways to Consolidate Your Debt
When it comes to debt consolidation the first thing you want to do is consolidate your debt, but the first thing you should consider are all of your options. There are in fact more options and help out there than you imagined and just because you...
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Debt Consolidation Services - 3 Things To Watch Out For With Debt Consolidation Companies
Debt consolidation services can provide a valuable service by
lowering your interest rate with creditors, enabling you to pay
off your unsecured loans and bills in a short period. However,
there are companies that would rather take your money than help
you. To avoid such scams, watch out for the following.
Low Monthly Payment Claims
While debt consolidation companies can lower your interest rate
which might lower your payments, they cannot negotiate lower
minimum payments. Creditors no longer accept smaller payments
since 2004, not even for "hardship" cases.
One trick companies use is to lure customers in with a low
quote, only to jack up the required payment in a month's time.
By that time you have already paid out fees, which aren't
refundable.
Upfront Fees
Another shady practice is to charge large upfront fees when a
company is claiming non-profit status. Legitimate companies will
either charge a small monthly fee between $14 to $69, depending
on the number of accounts. The other fee structure is to charge
a reasonable fee for each account handled; typically for-profit
companies use this structure.
If you are being asked to pay thousands, especially with a
cashier's check or money order, look for another program.
Offering Debt Negotiation Programs
You
should also be suspicious of companies that pressure you to
use other programs, such as debt negotiations. First of all,
debt negotiations or settlements usually will not improve your
credit situation. Secondly, you will be charge high fees for
something you can do on your own. And finally, companies who
specialize in debt consolidation have no incentive to see you
flounder with your finances, unlike those offering other
services.
When you are looking for a debt consolidation program, ask
questions about the program, fees, and amount of time to repay
your bills. Take advantage of the internet and research several
different agencies.
Since debt and bill consolidation varies with the number of
accounts involved, you should expect a phone consultation before
you receive any quotes. With your quote you should receive
detailed answers, including pay off dates for each account and
exact fees. And if you feel uncomfortable with the agency, feel
free to walk away. A consultation is not a commitment on your
part.
About the author:
See my recommended Debt
Consolidation Companies online. Carrie Reeder is the owner
of ABC Loan
Guide, an informational website about various types of
loans.
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Advertisements Promising Debt Relief May Be Offering Bankruptcy |
Cautions consumers about ads in newspaper, magazine and telephone directories that offer quick fixes for debt problems. |
www.ftc.gov |
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Welcome to Debt Relief International |
Welcome to the web site of Debt Relief International. |
www.dri.org.uk |
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Debt relief steps, your free guide to debt help. |
Articles on debt relief, and credit management and repair. |
www.debtsteps.com |
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Factsheet - Debt Relief Under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries ... |
The HIPC Initiative is a comprehensive approach to debt reduction for heavily indebted poor countries pursuing IMF- and World Bank-supported adjustment and ... |
www.imf.org |
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Special report: debt relief | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited |
February 6: A year ago the Guardian set out to track the west's promises of action for Africa on aid, trade, health and debt relief. As G8 finance ministers ... |
www.guardian.co.uk |
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Debt Relief Options - Findlaw for the Public - |
Welcome to Debt Relief Options. This section contains information about the ... To begin, select one of the Debt Relief Options topics from the list below ... |
bankruptcy.findlaw.com |
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William Brewer |
The Brewer Law Firm. William E. Brewer, Jr., Attorney at Law Board Certified Consumer Bankruptcy Specialist. 619 N. Person Street Raleigh, NC 27604 ... |
www.debtrelief.com |
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Debt Relief - InCharge Debt Solutions |
There are many ways to get out of debt, for good, and it may be easier than you think. The first step is knowing your options, the second step is taking ... |
www.incharge.org |
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Economic Policy and Debt |
May 2006, IMF And World Bank Support Cameroon’s Completion Point Under The Enhanced HIPC Initiative And The IMF Immediately Grants 100 Percent Debt Relief ... |
www.worldbank.org |
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Economic Policy and Debt - The Enhanced HIPC Initiative |
The Initiative’s debt-burden thresholds were adjusted downward, which enabled a broader group of countries to qualify for larger volumes of debt relief. ... |
www.worldbank.org |
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Debt relief - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
Debt relief is the partial or total forgiveness of debt, or the slowing or stopping of debt growth, owed by individuals, corporations, or nations. ... |
en.wikipedia.org |
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Debt Analyzer, Debt Reduction Software, Home Page |
Debt Elimination at its best! Potential savings of hundreds or thousands of dollars! Build debt reduction, timed elimination or consolidation schedules. |
www.debtanalyzer.com |
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Superior Debt Relief |
We help you get rid of credit card debt much faster than you may believe possible with credit card debt settlement and negotiation tactics, providing debt ... |
www.superiordebtrelief.com |
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Debt Relief - Social and Economic Policy - Global Policy Forum |
Aid Inflows, Debt Relief Yet to Translate into Reduced Poverty (March 20, 2006) ... Fearing that the IMF could tie debt relief to economic benchmarks, ... |
www.globalpolicy.org |
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Debt Relief - Global Policy Forum - Social and Economic Policy |
Debt Relief - Global Policy Forum - Social and Economic Policy. The Debt Relief Page Has Been Moved to: ... |
www.globalpolicy.org |
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BBC NEWS | Business | Q&A: African debt relief |
BBC News looks at the progress of international debt reduction efforts, and the sticking points which continue to hamper the process. |
news.bbc.co.uk |
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Debt Relief Australia - Start Reducing Debt Today! |
Debt Relief offers Australians in debt assistance with finding the most appropriate debt relief solution. |
www.debtrelief.com.au |
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Debt Consolidation Australia, Debt Relief & Bankruptcy Information |
Specialising in debt agreements, mortgage refinancing and bankruptcy. Company profile, calculators, solutions, media releases, testimonials and existing ... |
www.foxsymes.com.au |
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Oxfam - Debt and Aid - Debt Relief for Nicaragua: breaking out of ... |
Oxfam policy paper on relationship between international debt servicing and poverty. Linked to table of contents and also zipped for download. |
www.oxfam.org.uk |
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What debt relief means for Africa | csmonitor.com |
This weekend's $40 billion debt cancellation deal could spark major improvements in the lives of the world's poorest people. |
www.csmonitor.com |
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