Almost all “Credit Repair” schemes you see are frauds. The article: What do you mean there is No Credit Repair Fairy?” is dead on. We’ve all seen the ads- fix your credit, repair your credit now! Don’t buy it! The author sums it up nicely:
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Archives for Consumer and Financial News
Looking for a Job— Bad Credit Can Haunt You
The country is trying to recover from recession, and it just seems more difficult for casualties of the economy. If you lose your job and try to find a new one, many employers will check your credit. It becomes a vicious cycle. Because someone loses
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Zombie Foreclosures—Scary for Many Reasons!
Here’s the latest trend in foreclosures and real estate– Zombie Foreclosures. See this article from the Chicago Tribune: http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/foreclosure/sc-cons-0418-umberger-20130419,0,2297043.column What is a “Zombie” foreclosure? It’s where the foreclosure has started, the owners often leave the house empty, but the bank doesn’t finish the foreclosure process.
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Do I Have to Pay Taxes on Debts I Included in Bankruptcy?
Hopefully, you have filed your taxes by now, but if you haven’t, you could still file for an extension to October 15th. (By the way, the extension doesn’t extend the due date for the payments!) Many times people who file for bankruptcy get 1099-C “Cancellation
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Will I likely be sued if I walk away from my foreclosed condo with association fees still due after my bankruptcy?
Question from Avvo.com: Will I likely be sued if I walk away from my foreclosed condo with association fees still due after my bankruptcy? My answer: The Bankruptcy Code (the law) says that you are responsible for any association dues after you file a bankruptcy
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Small Businesses: Top 5 Warning Signs of Financial Problems
When small business owners meet with me, they often are so deep into their problems that they didn’t see them sooner. Sometimes, a business owner is focused on keeping the business alive that they continue to run the business at a loss for several years
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Credit Scores- Myths v. Reality
Here is a link to a great article with some tips for consumers. How is your credit score determined? What are the real facts? Important stuff to know, for your financial life now and in the future. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-01-04/site/sc-cons-0103-karpspend-20130104_1_credit-scores-numerical-snapshot-credit-reports If you have questions about Debt and
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Real Estate Taxes and Bankruptcy in Illinois – Recent Court Decisions may help Homeowners
The Background: Most people who get a mortgage on their home pay an “escrow” to the mortgage company or bank. They hold the money in an escrow account to pay the real estate taxes and sometimes the property insurance also. That way, instead of trying
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I’m Expecting a Tax Refund—When Should I File Bankruptcy?
I’m Expecting a Tax Refund—When Should I File Bankruptcy? This is the time of year when people are preparing to file their income tax returns. Most of the clients I see are expecting, and hoping for, a large tax refund. Ideally, you should not have
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Update — Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act Extended 1 More Year
Under the “Fiscal Cliff” deal, the IRS provisions which eliminated taxes on forgiven debt for short sales on houses was extended. It was set to expire at the end of 2012. Now it will be extended until the end of 2013. I previously posted that
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