Archive for February, 2010

Every day more consumers fall behind on their credit card debt payments and leave themselves open to being threatened by credit card debt collectors. Some people simply cannot afford to pay their growing minimum-monthly credit-card debt payment(s), as a result they begin to feel hopeless and guilty.

Some consumers in this situation realize they do not have to suffer this financial death by guilt and that they can take positive action to eliminate credit card Eliminate credit card debt They cannot afford to pay.

The first step to overcoming that guilt, according to the Credit Card Debt Survival Guide, is disputing and denying the debt any credit card debt collector, other then the original creditor, calls about. Not admitting to an unsecured credit card debt and denying it is a legal strategy which forces the other side to properly document their claim, or drop it. It is not an indication of character. All it means is that the other side will have to prove that they have a case against you.

Credit card debt collectors must, according to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: 1) Send a consumer a statement saying that the debt will be assumed to be valid unless that debt is disputed and 2) Says that the consumer must dispute the debt, in writing, within thirty days of dispute.

According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a consumer can also write to the credit card debt collector saying that they want the debt collector to stop contacting them about the debt.

By taking the action of disputing and denying a credit card debt and then requesting that the collector stop all communications, you have made the debt collection effort harder. The collector must return to the credit card company to obtain documents which they then have to forward to alleged debtor. They have to validate the debt with copies of original documents according to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

According to the Credit Card Debt Survival Guide, with an unsecured, unsigned credit card debt, a debt collector has to get the consumer to admit to owing the debt. Effectively they need an admission of “guilt”. The initial exchanges between consumer and the credit card debt collector set the tone of all communications between them. If a consumer denies and disputes the alleged debt, and also forbids further communications, often the collector will look for an easier target.

Identity Theft Lawyer

Reconstructing your life after an identity theif has stolen it can be a difficult and troublesome experience. There is a great sense of invasion and loss and often times the identity thief can continue to cause problems for you. The extra measures you’ll be pushed to take will make identifying yourself to future lenders a more frustrating affair. For some individuals, identity theft recovery can be too much to take.

Nobody asks to be a victim of identity theft but even so, it is now your responsiblity to clean it up. Without taking action, the alternative is worse.Your loan applications could be rejected, held responsible for paying off accounts you never opened, and even be liable for crimes committed in your name.

If you feel uneasy doing the work required by yourself, you certainly don’t have to. There are numerous attorneys who specialize in assisting victims recover from a stolen identity. Especially in difficult cases, you’ll require a identity theft attorney looking out for your interests to verify the banks and your other financial institutions do not attempt to take advantage of you.

When you’re dealing with a complex stolen identity case, having the services of an identity theft lawyer can be invaluable in helping you clear your name. For example, if you’re dealing with a criminal or medical identity theft incident, it’s extremely important to erase errors from your criminal or medical identity records. A lawyer can help you navigate the criminal justice system or use medical privacy laws to thoroughly clean up your medical records.

Likewise, you may find yourself in the regrettable position of being charged for identity fraud. Don’t just settle for any attorney, you want to hire somebody who has had experience dealing with identity theft cases. These lawyers already know much about the laws involved and will be able to make sure your case goes smoothly.It’s also a good idea to find an lawyer that can be patient and be able to explain the charges in a language that you understand. Regrettably, laws are perpetually being changed, modified, and added to. Without an identity theft attorney to assist you, it can be challenging to get the applicable information you need to present your defense. An identity theft lawyer can help you get access to this information.

An identity theft lawyer can also help you determine whether to take legal action against creditors, credit bureaus, or debt collectors.

To find an identity theft lawyers knowledgeable in such matters, contact the National Association of Consumer Advocates, a nationwide organization of more than 1,000 attorneys who specialize in consumer advocacy and litigation.