About.com

Apartment Hunters, Beware Credit Report Scams

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:01:21 +0000

This scam seems to have been around for a few years, so if you've been looking for an apartment, you might have encountered it.

You've been looking for an apartment on Craigslist, as I recommend people do when they have bad credit. You find a listing that seems too good to be true. You send an inquiry and get a response back saying you can apply just send a copy of your credit report (or your credit score). The inquiry (or even the ad itself) includes a link to a place that you can get a free credit report. You order your credit report and never hear from the landlord again. Maybe the apartment's been filled. Or maybe there was no apartment. Weeks later you get a mysterious charge on your credit card statement related to the free credit report you ordered.

...

Read Full Post

How to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:16:07 +0000

Payday is days away. You have no gas, little food, and no money. For some people, this only has to happen one time before they change their spending habits. For others, living paycheck to paycheck is a viciously uncomfortable way of life. But, it's something that can be changed in just a few steps. Learn what you can do to stop living paycheck to paycheck.

...

Read Full Post

CFPB Proposes Supervision of Larger Debt Collectors and Credit Bureaus

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:26:48 +0000

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has proposed a rule that would allow the agency to supervise large debt collectors and consumer reporting agencies, aka credit bureaus.

The CFPB is a new consumer watchdog agency that was created by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. As part of its nonbank supervision program, the agency supervises mortgage companies, payday lenders, and private student loan companies. CPFB also takes complaints on credit card issuers. If the new regulation is passed, the CFPB would supervise the largest debt collectors and credit bureaus.

...

Read Full Post

Debt Collector Calls to Your Employer

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:01:15 +0000

Your financial troubles are probably on the top of the list of things you don't want your employer to know about, right up there with marital woes and other family issues. Naturally, you don't want your personal issues to negatively influence your employer's impression of your ability to perform at work. But, debt collectors may threaten your job security if they were to contact your employer about your debt.

...

Read Full Post

Keep It In Your Wallet

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:01:33 +0000

Part of being a responsible credit card user is knowing when it's ok to swipe your credit card and when it's better left in your wallet. Being able to make this decision is key to building a good credit score and keeping yourself out of debt.

...

Read Full Post

Travel Reward Cards from Discover

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:01:58 +0000

Discover has two travel reward credit cards - Escape and Miles. Both cards have a 0% introductory interest rate on purchases and balance transfers. They also have the same APR range, based on your credit history. Miles is cheaper, with no annual fee. But Escape lets you earn more reward miles. Check out reviews of both credit cards to decide if either is right for you.

...

Read Full Post

Asset Acceptance's New Required "We Will Not Sue" Disclosure

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:13:55 +0000

Asset Acceptance, one of the biggest and most-complained about debt collectors/debt purchasers, recently agreed to a $2.5 million settlement to an FTC lawsuit. Asset Acceptance faced a slew of allegations including collecting debts from identity theft victims, providing false information to the credit bureaus, pursuing debts after the statute of limitations expired, and tricking consumers into restarting the statute of limitations.

...

Read Full Post

Your Credit Card Payment Amount

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:01:35 +0000

Every month around this time, many people sit down with their bills and their checkbook (or their computer or iPad) and write the checks to pay the bills. With some bills, you pay the exact amount due, no questions. But with credit cards, you may wonder the best amount to pay.

...

Read Full Post

You May Owe Taxes on Settled Debts

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:01:50 +0000

Negotiating a lower payment is one way to pay off your credit card debt at a lower cost. When the lender agrees to settle your debt for a lower amount, say $500 on a $1,000 debt, part of the debt is cancelled. It's good news for you in the short run, but you could end up paying taxes on the cancelled amount.

...

Read Full Post

Some Bank Customers Will Owe Taxes on Airline Miles

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:07:41 +0000

Going forward, you might think twice about accepting an award or prize when you open up a financial account because you could owe taxes on the award. This year, Citibank is sending out 1099-MISC forms for mileage bonuses awarded to new checking account customers in 2011. According to the LA Times, the IRS agrees that this is part of the tax law.

...

Read Full Post