Finding
The Lowest Rates
LookUpCreditcards.com
For the best deals on balance transfers, low rates, airline miles, etc,
see index on left hand side.
CardRatings.com
Has good balance transfer rates.
www.bankrate.com
Search for the cheapest credit card according to Geography, Type of Card,
and your credit needs.
CardWeb.com
Secured Credit Cards
(Consumer-SOS)
Don't look for
a secured card only unless you're been turned down for other credit cards.
Maybe It's Time To Change Your Credit Cards (Lists Links To Cheap Credit
Cards)
Eloan
Offers some credit cards with very low rates.
www.debtworkout.com/altcc.html
Dedicated to helping debtors and others with credit problems to
obtain either a secured or unsecured credit card for the purpose of
re-establishing good credit.
Google Search On The Lowest Rates
Get the best savings for auto loans, credit cards,
savings accounts and CD's, home equity loans & mortgages and unsecured
credit lines.
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Keeping The Lowest Rates
Keeping
Your Rates Low
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Lost Or Stolen Cards
Lost
Or Stolen Cards
Basics
On Lost Or Stolen ATM & Credit Cards (Scroll Down)
Where To Go For Help
Getting help from the government, non-profits and the media.
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Credit Repair
*Commercial
Credit Repair Companies* (Outlawed In GA)
Build A Better Credit Record
Credit Scores (Consumer-SOS)
A good credit score is like having a good SAT score. If your score is
high, creditors love you and will give you cheap rates. If your
score is low, you'll have to work twice as hard just to get the loan.
Negotiating With Creditors
(Consumer-SOS)
Rebuilding
Your Credit
Establishing
Good Credit
By using secured credit cards and paying your bills wisely
5
Steps To Credit Repair
Rebuilding Your Credit Rating through correcting errors, negotiating with
creditors and adding pertinent information to your credit file.
Credit
Repair-Help Yourself First (FTC)
Regulation Of Credit Repair Companies
See Sec 407-Your 3 Day Right To Cancel The Contract.
Illegally Establishing A New Credit Identity (BBB)
Credit Reports-What You Need To Know
(Consumer-SOS)
Identity Theft-What To Do When Your Identity Is Stolen
FTC Brochures On Credit
Repair
State
& Federal Laws Governing Credit Matters (All 50 States)
Select your state and see what additional protections your state offers in
addition to federal law. For federal laws, scroll down to their federal
section and click on the link of your choice.
Secured
& Unsecured Credit Cards To Help Rebuild Your Credit
A Website dedicated to helping debtors and others with credit problems to
obtain either a secured or unsecured credit card for the purpose of
re-establishing good credit.
Where To Go For Help
Getting help from the government, non-profits and the media.
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Credit Reports & Scores
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Understanding Them
Your
Credit report: What Lenders Look At -- And Where They Draw The Lines
How Time Affects Your Report
Negative
Items-How Long They Stay On Your Report
The
Negative Info That Hurts Most
Credit Scores (Consumer-SOS)
A good credit score is like having a good SAT score. If your score is
high, creditors love you and will give you cheap rates. If your
score is low, you'll have to work twice as hard just to get the loan.
http://mix6.com/credit/credit.html#TOC
A great site on the ins and outs of credit and credit reports.
Learn how to challenge credit reporting errors, order your free credit
report on line and what your credit report can and can't be used for.
It also tells you how to rebuild and improve your credit, supplies
sample form letters, tells you about the laws that control debt collectors
and has lots of valuable help agencies.
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Correcting
Them/Rebuilding Credit
Credit Repair (No Magic Solutions)
Credit Inquiries-What Are They
& How To Erase Them
Correcting Mistakes (Consumer-SOS)
Notice To Correct Credit Report (Form Letter)
Fill in the blank form for correcting your credit report.
More
Form Letters
Once on page scroll down for even more form letters.
http://mix6.com/credit/credit.html#TOC
A great site on the ins and outs of credit and credit reports.
Learn how to challenge credit reporting errors, order your free credit
report on line and what your credit report can and can't be used for.
It also tells you how to rebuild and improve your credit, supplies
sample form letters, tells you about the laws that control debt collectors
and has lots of valuable help agencies.
Where To Go For Help
Getting help from the government, non-profits and the media.
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Your Legal Rights (Credit Reports)
Who
Can View Your Credit Report?
Lists the legal and illegal reasons people can access your credit report
under the Graham, Leach, Bliley Act.
See also This
Google Search.
Brochures
From The Federal Trade Commission
Where To Go For Help
Getting help from the government, non-profits and the media.
State
& Federal Laws Governing Credit Matters (All 50 States)
Select your state and see what additional protections your state offers in
addition to federal law. For federal laws, scroll down to their federal
section and click on the link of your choice.
Credit Laws, Bankruptcy, ID Theft, etc
http://mix6.com/credit/credit.html#TOC
A great site on the ins and outs of credit and credit reports.
Learn how to challenge credit reporting errors, order your free credit
report on line and what your credit report can and can't be used for.
It also tells you how to rebuild and improve your credit, supplies
sample form letters, tells you about the laws that control debt collectors
and has lots of valuable help agencies.
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Credit Reports/Correcting Mistakes
Correcting Mistakes (Overview)
7 Steps To Fixing Your Credit Report
Fair
Credit Reporting Act
Establishes procedures for correcting mistakes on an
individual's credit record. A credit record may be retained seven years
for judgments, liens, suits and other adverse information except for
bankruptcies, which may be retained ten years. If a consumer has been
denied credit, a free credit report may be requested within 30 days of
denial.
Fair
Credit Reporting Act Amendment(1996)
Strengthens privacy provisions and defines more clearly the
responsibilities and liabilities of businesses that provide information
to-and access data from-credit reporting agencies. The Fair Credit
Reporting Act (FCRA). Employers, or prospective employers must obtain an
applicant's written consent prior to obtaining credit information,
background, and medical information regarding an applicant.
Fair Credit Billing
Act
Establishes procedures for the prompt correction of errors
on open-end credit accounts. It also protects a consumer's credit rating
while the consumer is settling a dispute.
Where To Go For Help
Getting help from the government, non-profits and the media.
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Where To Go For Help
Contact Your State's Consumer Protection Agency. This could be your
State's Attorney
General or Your
Secretary of
State's Office. You may also contact your
State
or City's Legal Aid Department.
*Consumer
Protection Agencies (Mostly GA)
The Federal Trade Commission Nearest You
Federal
Trade Commission (Online Complaint Form)
The FTC regulates credit reporting agencies and can impose fines and other
penalties.
On their drop box next to "Subject of Your complaint" Choose
"Credit Reports" or whatever your problem is.
Banks
& Credit Unions (Consumer-SOS)
If your credit card issue is a bank or credit union, find out who
regulates them.
Find
Your Local Newspaper, Magazine, Radio & TV Stations
Give them a little bad press and you're bargaining power increases
tremendously. Select your state, and then click on your county or city for
the proper media to report to. (DC Not Included).
Find The AARP
In Your State
The AARP offers legal advocacy for seniors and may also have state
specific consumer brochures which are available to everyone.
National Help Orgs For A Variety Of Consumer Problems
The Elderly, Environment, Families, Fraud, Health & Safety, Insurance
The Handicapped, Medical Problems, Telemarketing and more.
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Managing Your Debt
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Options, Tips & Advice
Bartering For Goods or
Services When You Have No Cash (Consumer-SOS)
How I Kept My
Credit Card Rates Below 3% For Years (Consumer-SOS)
Can't Pay Your Rent, Mortgage or Utilities? (Consumer-SOS)
Step by step on what to do and where to go for assistance.
Can't Pay Your Debts? (Georgia)
General advice with some specifics on Georgia law.
Bills
To Pay Off First (Consumer-SOS)
Credit Repair (Consumer-SOS)
Time Limit
On Collecting A Debt and the Maximum Amount You Can Be Charged
(Consumer-SOS)
Negotiating With Creditors
(Consumer-SOS)
Credit
Counseling (Consumer-SOS)
Consolidating
Your Debt (Consumer-SOS)
Pay Half
The Amount Bi-Weekly
(Consumer-SOS)
Keeping Credit Card Rates Low (Consumer-SOS)
Tips on the balance transfer game and more.
How To Crawl Out From Under Your Credit Card Debt
Tired of making big monthly payments to finance your cost of
living? Here's some basic good sense advice on tackling your credit card
debt. (Ignore their advice about shunning low teaser introductory rates
and instead see Keeping
Your Credit Card Rates At A Minimum).
Credit
Card Freedom Page
Learn how to negotiate for lower rates, calculate the cost of credit
and manage your debt. Find out how to avoid late fees and use balance
transfers to your advantage. Organize your debt with the debt charts
they provide.
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Bartering For Goods or
Services When You have No Cash
You can improve your chances for finding someone willing to
barter with you if you focus on an equitable trade, are upfront and detailed
with barter terms and are willing to get creative. Check out the sites below.
Barter Quest
Barter Bee
Craigslist
Choose your city and look for Barter which is usually under their for sale
section.
Where Else To Barter Your Goods & Services (Google Search)
Bills
To Pay Off First
Bills To Pay Off First
Tells you which bills are most important and the ones that can do the most
harm.
What
Happens When I Fail To Pay My Bills (Nolo.com)
Short takes on student loans, mortgages, utilities, car payments, etc.
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Negotiating With Creditors
Negotiating
With Creditors (Before Settlement)
What every debtor should know
before negotiating with their creditors.
Learn about the risks and realities of being in debt, the
importance of statutes of limitation, and how long a debt can remain on
your credit report.
Negotiating
With Your Creditors (During Settlement)
Negotiate your loan amount and
your credit rating!
Paying
Off Your Debts Once You've Settled
Essential strategies for paying
off your debt after you've settled with your creditors.
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Consolidating
Your Debt
Debt Consolidation
The Pros and Cons of consolidating your debt. Also has articles and an
interest calculator.
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Related Topics
Bankruptcy
Divorce
Home Matters
Student
Loans
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Debt Collectors
Options, Tips & Advice
(Consumer-SOS)
Negotiating your debt, credit counseling, bills to pay off first, etc.
Credit Repair (Consumer-SOS)
Time Limit
On Collecting A Debt and the Maximum Amount You Can Be Charged
(Consumer-SOS)
Sample Letter To Debt Collector
(Consumer-SOS)
Frequently
Asked Questions on Owing Money & Debt Collection Find out things
like: How long before your overdue bill is sent to a collection agency?
Whether a credit card company or the IRS can force the sale of your home
in order to pay your bill? And what to do if you think a debt collector
has violated the law?
Basic Debt Collection and Consumer Protection In Georgia
How creditors can and cannot collect debts.
See situation # 9 and #10 for Auto Repossession.
This document describes the law relating to debt collection and basic
consumer protection laws.
Fair
Debt Collection Practices Act (Regulates Debt Collectors)
Describes what debt collectors may and may not do if you
owe money. It applies only to third party debt collectors (i.e.,
collection agencies), or those who use a name other than their own in
collecting consumer debts. Very few commercial banks, savings banks,
savings and loan associations, or credit unions are covered by this Act,
since they usually collect only their own debts. Complaints concerning
debt collection practices, such as harassment or abuse, should generally
be filed with the Federal Trade Commission.
Using The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Debt Collection Letter
Use this letter to ask collection agencies to provide you with information
concerning their basis for claiming that you owe a debt ("verification of
the debt") and also ask them to stop contacting you. This only applies to
collection agencies, not to creditors who directly sold you goods or gave
you credit or loaned you money.
Fair
Credit Reporting Act
Establishes procedures for correcting mistakes on an
individual's credit record. A credit record may be retained seven years
for judgments, liens, suits and other adverse information except for
bankruptcies, which may be retained ten years. If a consumer has been
denied credit, a free credit report may be requested within 30 days of
denial.
Fair
Credit Reporting Act Amendment(1996)
Strengthens privacy provisions and defines more clearly the
responsibilities and liabilities of businesses that provide information
to-and access data from-credit reporting agencies. The Fair Credit
Reporting Act (FCRA). Employers, or prospective employers must obtain an
applicant's written consent prior to obtaining credit information,
background, and medical information regarding an applicant.
Fair Credit Billing
Act
Establishes procedures for the prompt correction of errors
on open-end credit accounts. It also protects a consumer's credit rating
while the consumer is settling a dispute.
Where To Go For Help
Getting help from the government, non-profits and the media.
Debt
Collection FAQs (Nolo.com)
Debt Collectors/Your Rights/Form Letters (May Take A While To
Download)
The Fair Debt
Collection Practices Act Letter
If you're not from GA, address your letter to the
Federal Trade
Commission Nearest You
State
& Federal Laws Governing Credit Matters (All 50 States)
Select your state and see what additional protections your state offers in
addition to federal law. For federal laws, scroll down to their federal
section and click on the link of your choice.
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Sample Letter To Debt Collectors
Dear Account Representative:
I am writing pursuant to the
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC 1692g, to
inform you that I dispute the alleged debt associated with FRG
Number 167790-120209 relating to the
health care plan
administered by Paradox Inc.
This is the first letter I received
regarding this alleged debt.
I do not believe I owe the amount alleged in your letter.
Thus, I am requesting that you provide the following
information:
 |
Please explain the nature of the alleged debt - that is,
what the money I allegedly owe is for;
|
|
|
Please provide an accounting explaining how you calculated
what you allege I owe;
|
|
|
Please provide me with copies of any contracts or
documents which form a basis for the alleged debt; and any
documentation giving you legal authority to collect the
alleged debt; and |
|
|
Please provide me with the name and address of the
original creditor. |
I further request that you take the following actions:
- If you have contacted any credit agencies regarding this
alleged debt, please inform them that I am disputing the
debt;
- Please also forward a copy of this letter to the
creditor who alleges that I owe the debt at issue, and
inform them that I am disputing the debt.
- Please send me copies of any documents or correspondence
generated from #1 and #2.
Any further contact should be made solely in writing, and
should be submitted to my home address by mail.
Regards,
Jon Smith
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Misc.
Basic Debt Collection and Consumer Protection In Georgia
How creditors can and cannot collect debts.
See situation # 9 and #10 for Auto Repossession.
This document describes the law relating to debt collection and basic
consumer protection laws.
Fair
Debt Collection Practices Act (Regulates Debt Collectors)
Describes what debt collectors may and may not do if you
owe money. It applies only to third party debt collectors (i.e.,
collection agencies), or those who use a name other than their own in
collecting consumer debts. Very few commercial banks, savings banks,
savings and loan associations, or credit unions are covered by this Act,
since they usually collect only their own debts. Complaints concerning
debt collection practices, such as harassment or abuse, should generally
be filed with the Federal Trade Commission.
Using The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Debt Collection Letter
Use this letter to ask collection agencies to provide you with information
concerning their basis for claiming that you owe a debt ("verification of
the debt") and also ask them to stop contacting you. This only applies to
collection agencies, not to creditors who directly sold you goods or gave
you credit or loaned you money.
Fair
Credit Reporting Act
Establishes procedures for correcting mistakes on an
individual's credit record. A credit record may be retained seven years
for judgments, liens, suits and other adverse information except for
bankruptcies, which may be retained ten years. If a consumer has been
denied credit, a free credit report may be requested within 30 days of
denial.
Fair
Credit Reporting Act Amendment(1996)
Strengthens privacy provisions and defines more clearly the
responsibilities and liabilities of businesses that provide information
to-and access data from-credit reporting agencies. The Fair Credit
Reporting Act (FCRA). Employers, or prospective employers must obtain an
applicant's written consent prior to obtaining credit information,
background, and medical information regarding an applicant.
