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June 25, 2010
Circulation: 145,550
In today's newsletter...
Got Debt? Watch Out!
Consumer Alert: Debt Predators
vs. Real Solutions
By Jim Daniels
I know, you probably come here for advice on making money
online. But today I need to talk about debt. After all, you
can't focus on making money if you're worried about debt all the
time.
If you have an uncomfortable amount of credit card debt or
you're behind on your mortgage, this issue may help you quite a
bit.
I'll get started right after this quick message from today's
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These days there are debt "predators" around every corner. But
there is also legitimate help available if you know where to
look. You just have to be VERY careful who you work with when
solving consumer debt problems.
First I want to talk about mortgage debt, specifically...
The Mortgage Modification Scam
If you find yourself behind on your mortgage or anticipate
falling behind soon, you need to take action. But again, you
have to be VERY careful where you go for "help".
Unfortunately, there have been more and more cases of loan
modification fraud reported recently and it's easier than you
think to become a victim. There are literally hundreds of
unscrupulous companies preying on desperate homeowners. They
charge thousands of dollars upfront with the promise of helping
modify mortgages, then drop the ball completely.
These companies are in business for one reason, to make
money. They use official looking letterhead and envelopes,
usually trying to represent some government agency that's there
to help you. It's almost impossible to tell who you can trust.
Rather than going to any company that
approaches you via mail, email, radio or even tv advertising, you're
better off going directly to HUD -- US Housing and Urban
Development.
HUD counselors are there to help you without fee. They are now
helping people get into Obama's Making Home Affordable program.
While it's certainly not a perfect program thus far, it has
helped many people, and you may qualify as well.
Here's a breakdown of the process...
If you're one of the unfortunate folks who've already
received a foreclosure note and have not been able to get help
with the process above, watch this next video.
You may be
surprised to hear the high percentage of people who are able to
use this strategy to their advantage. It is perfectly legal and
may help you avoid the heaps of "fees" banks sometimes pile on
already debt ridden foreclosure victims.
This strategy could delay or even help you avoid having to
leave your home...
If your debt problems are credit card related, in the next section I'll show you how to avoid
debt settlement scams.
Right after this quick message
from yours truly...
This next one really makes me sick. And there are countless
companies raking it in with this scheme, due to the current
economic conditions.
The Debt Settlement Scam
With millions of people out of work, it's
understandable that many folks need help managing their debt.
The first sign of trouble is usually more credit card debt than you can handle.
If you find yourself in this situation, be VERY
careful when looking for a solution.
In fact, promise me you'll watch this video
before you contact any debt related companies, whether you
find them on the web, through a mailed offer or even advertised
on radio or television.
(This video explains how many "debt help" companies make big bucks at your expense.)
I hope this video opened your eyes to what's going in the
consumer debt space. And this is just ONE example of how you can
be taken advantage of.
Another I became aware of recently is a national radio spot
offering a free CD promising to wipe out your debt. All you pay
is the shipping. But instead of help, unsuspecting consumers
have been getting long sales pitches over the phone for 'debt
coaching services'. Some have even reported finding new charges
on their credit cards for thousands of dollars!
It's a jungle out there folks. Don't get involved with any
"debt solution" company unless you fully investigate
them with the BBB,
with ripoffreport.com and with your local attorney generals
office.
A better strategy altogether, is this... instead of trusting
an unknown company to handle your debts, no matter how
complicated they may seem, try to handle the situation yourself.
If you're not sure where to start, you can start by
contacting creditors directly and explaining the situation. Or,
if you're not comfortable with that, simply contact the National
Foundation for Credit Counseling at
http://nfcc.org. Their network of Certified Consumer Credit
Counselors work with you to offer real solutions to your debt
problems.
I hope today's issue helps you find a clear path out of debt,
so you can focus on generating more income and financial
security for you and your family. At the very least, maybe it
will help a few of my readers avoid getting scammed.