Archive for August, 2010

Eliminate Debts Cheaply Through Secured Debt Consolidation Loans

By Admin, 26 August, 2010, No Comment

If you think it is high time that you pay off all those debts, otherwise you may be inviting all sorts of troubles; secured debt consolidation loans can do the rescue job for you. Through availing secured debt consolidation loans you get rid of debt burden instantly as this new loan provides the finance at least equal to previous debts.

On taking secured debt consolidation loans, borrower gets rid of various monthly payments that he or she was making to different lenders. Previous debts are generally of higher interest rates and surge the burden of debt. Secured debt consolidation loan is taken at lower interest rate and therefore save money.

Secured debt consolidation loans are utilized also in clearing credit card bills, medical bills or other pending payments. One can use the amount also for home improvements, wedding or any expenses.

Borrowers are required to place collateral with the lenders in order to get secured debt consolidation loans. The collateral may consist of any property of the borrower such as home, car, and valuable papers. Main aim behind collateral is to provide a sense of security to the lender regarding the loan

Collateral can be an effective instrument in getting the required loan deal. It is the equity in the collateral that matters the most to lenders while deciding on loan amount and interest rate. Equity is value of the property minus the borrowings of the loan seeker. So, in case greater amount of secured debt consolidation loan is required, the lender will evaluate the equity. Higher equity makes it easier for the borrower to get a loan deal of higher amount at lower interest rate.

Lenders normally provide an amount anywhere in the range of 5000 to 75000 under secured debt consolidation loans. For availing higher amount of loan, financial standing and credit history of the borrower also becomes important.

Secured debt consolidation loans are availed at lower interest rate. The borrowers can get a loan deal at cheaper interest rate if they search for the lenders online. Numerous lenders have showcased their secured debt consolidation loans products. Choose the loan package that best suits your budget.

Borrowers who are going through a bad phase can also avail secured debt consolidation loan. The loan enables the borrower to improve credit history when they pay off debts. Such borrowers should first pay off easy debt and get this development included in their credit report. To judge the risk involved in offering loan, the lenders give credit score to the borrowers. A credit score of 620 and above is viewed as safe while lower score makes lenders hesitant in deciding loan terms largely in favor of the borrower.

To gain maximum benefits from secured debt consolidation loans, borrowers must give special attention to the interest rate and loan amount and keep both of them lower.

Eliminate Credit Card Debt – Reduce Debt Without Bankruptcy

By Admin, 19 August, 2010, No Comment

Acquiring too much debt can put a major strain on a household. To eliminate debt, many people consider bankruptcy. With the new bankruptcy laws, it has become difficult for some people to eliminate debt. However, many will continue to qualify for bankruptcy protection. The effects of bankruptcy are long term.

Before considering bankruptcy, it helps to explore solutions to debt elimination. Here are three tips that can help reduce debts.

Limit Credit Card Use and Pay More than Minimums

People file bankruptcy with varying credit amounts. Some have acquired over 10,000 of credit card debt, whereas others only have about 2,000. Individuals with small debts can usually payoff the balances without bankruptcy. However, these persons must be willing to make sacrifices.

If attempting to eliminate debt, stop using the credit card. Paying only the monthly minimum, and then going on a shopping spree defeats the purpose. Before you can successfully eliminate credit card debts, you must commit to using cash for all purchases. Additionally, the majority of minimum payments barely reduce the finance fees. To notice a significant reduction, endeavor to pay the minimum payment, plus an additional 50 – 100.

Negotiate a Lower Interest Rate

If you have maintained a good payment history with a credit card company, attempt to negotiate a lower interest rate. When contacting the credit card company, highlight your history with the company such as length of credit account, payment history, etc. If your credit is good, the company may consider a reduction. Before approving the request, you must consent to a credit check.

In addition to evaluating your history with the company, they will also assess whether you maintain a good payment record with other creditors. If your credit score is low, it may require the help of a debt consolidation agency to convince creditors to lower interest rates.

Once your credit card interest rate is lowered, you pay less finance fees. Thus, a larger portion of your monthly payments will help reduce the outstanding balance.

Consolidate Debts with a Home Equity Loan or Refinancing

Owning a home provides a huge advantage. Homes increase in values, thus they gain equity. As a homeowner you have the option of tapping into your home’s equity. Through a home equity loan or refinancing, you have the chance to get hold of a lump sum of money that can be used for different purposes. One such purpose includes debt consolidation.

Dont make these seven mistakes when dealing with debt collectors.

By Admin, 12 August, 2010, No Comment

Dont make these seven mistakes when dealing with debt collectors.

The number of complaints about debt collectors is on the rise. From 13,950 reported to the Federal Trade Commission in 2000, the number has ballooned to over 66,000 in 2005. And these are just the ones reported–the greater number of complaints go unreported. But this isnt the worst; a significant number of complaints are coming from consumers who do not even owe the debt.

So whats going on here? It is apparent that debt collection agencies are becoming increasingly competitive and that they are getting more aggressive in an effort to improve their bottom line. And to do this, they have to put more pressure on the one who owes the debtthe consumer, you.

What can you do if you are caught in the crosshairs of a debt collector? Enforce your rights. As a consumer, you have rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA.) These rights mean that you cannot be lied to, abused, or harassed when a debt collector is trying to collect from you. And these rights have teeth. When a debt collector violates the provisions of the FDCPA. when he or she violates the rights you have under the FDCPA, you can sue for damages and for attorneys fees.

But when dealing with debt collectors under the FDCPA, dont make the following four mistakes:

1. Not knowing your rights. You need to remember that you have rights even when you havent paid what you owe for whatever reason. We dont have debtors prisons anymore and debt collectors cant buy a license anywhere to have any kind of open season on anyone who is delinquent in paying debts. This is true because of those rights. So make sure you understand just what those rights are. You cant claim them if you dont know them.

2. Not keeping records. To be able to enforce your rights, youll need to keep some records. This will mean a phone log (the number of calls and when can both be violations of the FDCPA); notes from the calls (what they say to you may not be abusive, harassing or a misrepresentation); and all the letters they send to you (they must have the proper notices and may not confuse you about what you need to do) as well as the letters you send to them. All of these must be kept for you to better make your case.

3. Not responding on time. You have certain rights that must be exercised within a certain period of time or they are lost. (The right to verification information is one.) So be vigilant about any time limits. Respond when you need to and file suit on time–if it comes to that.

4. Avoiding the calls. Dont avoid the phone calls either. It is only by dealing with the debt collector that any of your rights under the law may be exercised. And exercising those rights–for example, the all-important right of verification– might just make the problem go away. (If the collector cannot verify the debt, he or she cannot continue to collect it.) So it is better to take the call and talk.

In dealing with debt collectors, it also pays to be smart. So, for example, dont also make the following three mistakes:

5. Not negotiating. Debt collection agencies most often buy the debt. And they buy it for less than you owe on it. Their profitability comes from getting you to pay more– and possibly a lot more– than they paid for it. So make sure you try to negotiate a lower figure. They just might accept it.

6. Ignoring the debt. Ignoring the debt is only going to cause more problems. If the debt collector understands that his or her efforts are not going to get you to pay, that may start the clock on any lawsuit they can bring on the debt. And that only gives the debt collector the advantage. Keep the advantage with you.

7. Paying by personal check. Paying by personal check gives the debt collector your account number and the name of your bank. That can create some problems with unscrupulous debt collectors who might be tempted to do something shady like setting up an electronic payment. (Its been done.) And that isnt good. But it also gives them information they can use if they want to enforce the debt through legal means. Why make it any easier?

If you are faced with any attempt to collect a debt, make sure you get all the information you can. If you do, youll be more able to enforce your rights–and they will be less able to intimidate you. Both of these come out on your side of the ledger sheet.

Don’t Delay In Managing IRS Tax Debt

By Admin, 5 August, 2010, No Comment

Debt Resolution, IRS Settlements Offer Help for Serious Tax Problems

San Mateo, Calif., – With tax day behind us, consumers and business owners who owe the IRS are not out of the woods. But while death and taxes are the big two inevitabilities, those with serious tax problems should know that it is possible to negotiate with the IRS to reduce past-due tax penalties and payments, according to Bradford G. Stroh, co-founder and CEO of Freedom Financial Network, LLC.

Americans, carrying more debt than ever, are also more likely to have tax problems than in the past. In 2004, the total of uncollected IRS taxes reached upwards of 250 billion. The number of levies (a key enforcement tool in which the IRS takes possession of assets to collect on unpaid taxes) topped 2 million during fiscal year 2004 – a 21 percent increase from 2003 and triple the 2001 number.

According to Stroh, taxpayers with tax debts under 10,000 usually can manage the payment on their own or via an installment plan arranged with the IRS. “Tax problems merit professional help when individuals cannot pay tax liabilities of 10,000 or more,” Stroh says. “At that point, specialists can negotiate directly with the IRS on behalf of these consumers, helping them obtain settlements.”

Tax relief specialists usually are attorneys or certified public accountants with special training and experience. Stroh explains that these experts can navigate the intricacies of IRS forms and calculations, help consumers understand the criteria the IRS imposes, and then help them get back into good standing with the IRS.

Depending on the severity of an individual’s situation, two types of IRS settlement are available:

An offer in compromise reduces the principal amount owed to the IRS.

An installment agreement is a payment plan for the amount due and often includes reduced penalties.

“Remember that you cannot let overdue taxes languish,” Stroh warns. “The IRS is serious — and increasingly aggressive — about tax collection and evasion. Tax debt can result in a lien on a house or garnished wages.”

Advisors can help consumers with the following steps:

Evaluate the situation and determine the amount of taxes owed to the IRS.

Ascertain whether the situation meets IRS standards for “doubt as to collectability” (i.e., unable to pay the full tax burden), “doubt as to liability” (i.e., consumer might not owe the tax), or “economic hardship.”

Establish the full amount owed, including taxes, penalties and accumulated interest, and understand whether collection limitations or penalty cancellations are possible.

Determine the best method for managing and eliminating the tax debt.

Negotiate with the IRS to settle on an agreed course of action and resolve the debt.

While facing and handling tax debt can be painful, last year’s bankruptcy reform legislation made it even more crucial for consumers to act. Historically, consumers in severe IRS debt might file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection or wait for the 10-year statute of limitations on tax liability to expire. Now, people are much more limited in the ability to obtain Chapter 7 filings. The bill’s new “means test” leads many consumers instead to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which establishes a repayment plan, rather than wiping out all debt. Consumers with tax debt may find it much less costly and simpler to work with a debt resolution firm’s tax relief service, which allows individuals to set up tax payment plans while avoiding court fees, attorney fees and bankruptcy judgments on their records.

“Whatever means you choose, tax season means it’s time to face the inevitable and manage your tax burdens,” Stroh says. “Fortunately, experts are available to help you along the way.”

Freedom Tax Relief, LLC (http:www.freedomtaxrelief.com) provides consumer debt resolution services through its Freedom Debt Relief and Freedom Tax Relief divisions. The company works for the consumer, negotiating with creditors to lower principal balances due that can often result in savings of up to half the amount owed. Based in San Mateo, Calif., Freedom Financial Network serves more than 5,000 clients nationwide and manages more than 200 million in consumer debt, offering an alternative to bankruptcy, credit counseling, and debt consolidation.