Many rules and regulations are in place to protect consumers. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act states that lenders and entities that allow people to obtain credit cannot make credit decisions based on characteristics such as: Sex or gender Age Race Color Marital status In general, creditors can ask for the majority of this information, but…
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The holidays are here again, which means that the shopping season is in full swing. Last year, Americans spent enough money to put them into an average of $986 in debt per person. One of the reasons is that retailers encourage customers to spend more by using their store credit cards. Although using store credit…
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Consumers may take several risks when applying to certain types of loans. Fortunately, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has implemented new rules and regulations to protect borrowers from the risks associated with both long- and short-term loans, which typically have balloon payments. These kinds of loans that usually come in the form of payday…
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Have you ever been shopping at a retail store and as you’re cashing out the sales associate asks, “Would you like to sign up for a store credit card and save on your purchase?” If you’re like the majority of shoppers, you kindly decline as you go about your business. If you are someone looking…
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These days, credit is one of life’s necessities. It is something that you will rely on for a long while, which is why it’s vital that you are proactive in repairing any debt issues. Managing multiple credit accounts can become overwhelming, and cause you to fall behind on payments. Rather than accept the fact that…
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Credit can be a difficult concept to wrap your head around. It serves as a trust-building mechanism that gives potential creditors and lenders an idea of your money management skills. In an effort to build credit, many consumers do what they deem most appropriate to achieve that goal. To some, that means having a limited…
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Credit card debt issues are so common that many people find themselves in debt for similar reasons. One can highlight everything from loose spending to poorly monitoring finances as reasons for credit card debt, but that has not stopped people from opening credit cards. As of 2017, Americans have the highest credit card debt in…
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Owning and using a credit card can be simple; you use it to make purchases and pay off the total charges every month. Although it may seem black and white, there is a gray area that many consumers find themselves in. Credit card companies benefit from you not paying off your balance monthly, as interest…
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The services of a real estate agent are invaluable. Real estate agents do much more than list and show houses. They serve as a potential homeowner’s ally during the home hunting and purchasing process. The most successful agents are those who can identify their clients’ desires and do everything in their power to make it…
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Living with multiple sources of consumer debt can quickly become overwhelming. You must make sure that every account gets the necessary attention while being careful not to mistakenly prioritize one over the other. With your credit score at stake, the last thing you want to do is default on credit card payments, but depending on…
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. Heather Weis | Benveniste Law Offices