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Archive for July, 2010
So-called “credit repair” companies claim they can remove negative information from credit reports. Advertising as “Credit Advisors,” “Credit Rating Correction Services” or “Credit Consultants,” they trumpet variations on this message: “Turned down because of bad credit? We can help!” Many of these companies charge hundreds if not thousands of dollars for the promise to “clean up” bad credit reports. But the truth is, these companies can only do what you could do yourself–at no charge.
Nobody can remove negative information that is accurate from your credit report. No company has a “secret” ability to remove all negative information.
But this doesn’t stop their claims. This deceptive quote is from a credit repair company brochure: “Charged-off accounts, collection accounts, judgments, tax liens, repossessions, and even bankruptcies can be removed from your credit records in less than one year (five to seven month average).”
One tactic is to bombard credit reporting agencies with requests to verify information. If a credit reporting agency cannot verify an entry within 60 days, it will remove the information from the report. But if the information is later verified to be accurate, it will go back in the report.
Before you even consider signing a contract with a company that promises to repair your credit, remember these facts: You may obtain a copy of your credit report on your own. You have the right to dispute entries in your credit report.
Beware guaranteed credit offers!
Credit repair and other companies often claim they “guarantee” to get you a credit card, regardless of your credit history. In fact, these companies do not always honor their guarantee. Sometimes, they’ll just take your money and run–you will not get any credit, regardless of what they promised.
If they get you a card at all it often will be a “secured” bank credit card, with high up-front “application” fees, that requires you to deposit and keep several hundred dollars in a savings account, or a card that only allows you to buy items in a catalogue from a business that you probably never heard of. (You can apply for a secured credit card by yourself. For a free list of banks that do not charge application fees for secured cards, see the information from Consumer Action in the “For More Information” section below.)
Credit repair companies often advertise on television, in newspapers and even on matchbooks. Sometimes they require consumers to dial a “900″ telephone number to get more information. Calls to 900 numbers can cost $2 or $3 a minute, so listening to a few minutes of information about the cards can be expensive.
Some companies try to get people a credit card by having them apply using financial information of other people with good credit histories. It is a criminal act to apply for credit under someone else’s name–do not do business with one of these companies.
Law enforcement agencies have shut down many credit repair outfits, but it is hard to stop a fraudulent credit repair outfit unless people complain about it. Therefore, be careful about responding to credit repair ads and be sure to complain to the agencies listed below if you think a credit repair company took advantage of you.
For more information
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) publishes information for consumers on the subject of credit and enforces federal laws on credit. For a list of free publications, write to the FTC’s Public Reference Department at the address given below. While the FTC does not handle individual cases, it can act when it sees a pattern of possible law violations develop. Complaints about credit reporting agencies and credit repair scams must be in writing. Send them to: FTC Credit Practices Division, 6th St., N.W., Washington, DC 20580.
Contact your local consumer protection agency or your state Attorney General’s office. Many Attorneys General have toll-free consumer hotlines. These numbers may be listed in the “self-help” or government sections in the front of your phone book. These agencies can offer you advice and may also be able to help resolve your complaint.
Consumer Action’s free complaint/information switchboards offering non-legal consumer advice and referrals can be reached from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays. Chinese, English and Spanish are spoken. Call either (415) 777-9635 (San Francisco office) or (213) 624-8327 (Los Angeles office). Consumer Action has a free list of secured credit card banks that do not charge application fees. To receive a free copy, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Consumer Action Secured Credit Card Survey, 717 Market St., Suite 310, San Francisco, CA 94103. (Available in English only.)
The Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) assists consumers who have problems in paying their bills–before their good credit ratings suffer. Your local CCCS office can help you work out flexible payment plans to make debt repayment more feasible. Call (800) 388-CCCS for an interactive recording that will provide you with the phone number of the office nearest to you. Spanish-speakers can call (800) 68-AYUDA (800-682-9832) between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. central time.
Before you sign a contract with any company, check it out with the local Better Business Bureau (BBB), a non-government service which advises consumers on fraud prevention. Call your local BBB. If you cannot find a local number listed in the phone directory, call the Council of Better Business Bureaus at (703) 276-0100 for a referral to the office nearest you.
Author: Omar M. Omar
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I recently opened a new credit card and noticed that my fico score plumetted 50 points after doing so. How long will it take for credit score to get over the fact that I opened a new account and regain those 50 points?
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www.Savedme.com 800-728-3363 800-SAVEDME. Bankruptcy Attorney Jamie Ryke of the Second Start Bankruptcy Law Firm talks about the Truth about Bankruptcy. You can speak to him directly.
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What do people mean by a credit repair business and how do we get that started?
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www.ovationcredit.com – Awesome new video from Ovation Credit Services! (www.ovationcredit.com) Visit us today for a free consultation.
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BETHESDA, Md. — GE Capital, Healthcare Financial Services announced today that it served as agent and sole lender to Mitralign, Inc. for a $5 million senior secured credit facility. Mitralign will use the credit facility for working capital as the company advances development of its mitral valve repair device.
Based in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, Mitralign, Inc. is developing an innovative, catheter-based method to effectively treat mitral regurgitation in patients suffering from congestive heart failure, combining surgical precision with interventional therapy.
John Schulte, chief executive officer for Mitralign, said, “We were looking for a lender that knew our business and had unsurpassed financing expertise, and GE Capital, Healthcare Financial Services met all of our business needs.”
“This new facility will help Mitralign invest in their existing businesses and support further advancement of their mitral valve repair device, which we believe will be an important development in the treatment of mitral regurgitation in patients suffering from congestive heart failure,” said Anthony Storino, senior managing director, life sciences, for GE Capital, Healthcare Financial Services. “Our industry expertise enables us to provide Mitralign with the best financing solution to meet their overall business objectives.”
About GE Capital, Healthcare Financial Services
With over $17 billion invested in more than 30 sub-sectors including senior housing, hospitals, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices, GE Capital, Healthcare Financial Services is a premier provider of capital and services to the healthcare industry. Our team of professionals provides deep industry expertise to create business and financial solutions tailored to meet the individual needs of our customers. The Life Science Finance team has worked with more than 500 companies throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. With a dedicated focus on assisting life science companies large and small, from the first venture round to post-IPO, the team has provided over $2.5 billion in financing to the market. For more information, visit gecapital.com/healthcare.
GE Capital offers consumers and businesses around the globe an array of financial products and services. For more information, visit gecapital.com or follow company news via Twitter (@GECapital).
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the world’s toughest challenges. Visit ge.com.
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I want to repair my bad credit and have been doing some research on some of these credit repair companies. They all sound to good to be true! The majority of the items are old accounts, nothing major like a BK or Forclosure.
Has anyone had any success with using a credit repair company?
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Bankruptcy clients need to be honest and complete in their dealings with the bankruptcy court. Watch this video, produced by the Office of the US Trustee, for more information.
