Most Active Articles 2013-05-24T07:28:43.760-04:00 Business Exchange Business_Exchange@businessweek.com urn:com:businessweek:bx:topic:most-active:debt-collectors Adrienne Carter acarter660 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:11089167883170057145-aeef9c3035c0991f0fb16a7b85875b15 2013-03-11T12:56:38.156-04:00

Legislation introduced in Congress,The Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2013, proposes to amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The bill calls for the inclusion of credit scores with the free credit report available to consumers every year. The two members of

Legislation introduced in Congress,The Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2013, proposes to amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The bill calls for the inclusion of credit scores with the free credit report available to consumers every year. The two members of http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/free-access-to-your-credit-score-with-your-credit-report/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 0 0 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:2774274335696181253-ec071e0b3d1a5fb0df54ae846891da93 2012-12-07T12:02:49.486-05:00

This year, online retailers are expected to take in almost $100 billion in holiday gift-buying revenues, up 17% from 2011.  Access to online buying opportunities has mushroomed to include not only “traditional” websites, but social media portals like Facebook, and

This year, online retailers are expected to take in almost $100 billion in holiday gift-buying revenues, up 17% from 2011.  Access to online buying opportunities has mushroomed to include not only “traditional” websites, but social media portals like Facebook, and http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/wishing-phishing-and-smishing-avoiding-online-holiday-scams/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 0 0 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:10490933211994815458-7ed416ca639e78f18b2864002547e63d 2012-08-22T12:00:52.967-04:00

You may have read that Debtors must provide copies of their tax returns to the bankruptcy trustee. But what happens if you have not filed a return? Can you still file bankruptcy? In many cases the answer is “yes,” you

You may have read that Debtors must provide copies of their tax returns to the bankruptcy trustee. But what happens if you have not filed a return? Can you still file bankruptcy? In many cases the answer is “yes,” you http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/filing-tax-returns-before-bankruptcy/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 0 0 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:13515075356951377881-b7848ffcde1603117caf20a85221deb2 2013-02-13T12:07:45.101-05:00

As many as 40 million consumers have mistakes on their credit reports. As many as 20 million are significant enough to change their credit scores. These figures are supported by a new study issued the week of February 11, 2013 by the Federal

As many as 40 million consumers have mistakes on their credit reports. As many as 20 million are significant enough to change their credit scores. These figures are supported by a new study issued the week of February 11, 2013 by the Federal http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/reports-by-the-ftc-and-by-60-minutes-spotlight-deficiencies-in-credit-reporting/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 0 0 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:10201724465487720758-760ebf717deeb48fd74305e209d903e5 2013-02-08T13:03:24.999-05:00

Is a voluntary 401k contribution a “reasonable and necessary” expense and therefore excluded from disposable income for purposes of a Chapter 13 case? Does it matter whether the debtor is above or below median? Courts in the 9th Circuit and

Is a voluntary 401k contribution a “reasonable and necessary” expense and therefore excluded from disposable income for purposes of a Chapter 13 case? Does it matter whether the debtor is above or below median? Courts in the 9th Circuit and http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/the-attack-on-voluntary-401k-contributions-in-chapter-13/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 0 0 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:25877278827922603-d16fd1120a543c80b48f4b1a553c0cbb 2013-03-06T12:39:41.642-05:00

Government-sponsored enterprise Fannie Mae, which owns or guarantees a substantial proportion of U.S. home loans, lists and explains the Fannie Mae loss mitigation options available to borrowers experiencing financial hardship.  The 20-page table can be found online here, but I provided brief rundowns of

Government-sponsored enterprise Fannie Mae, which owns or guarantees a substantial proportion of U.S. home loans, lists and explains the Fannie Mae loss mitigation options available to borrowers experiencing financial hardship.  The 20-page table can be found online here, but I provided brief rundowns of http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/fannie-mae-loss-mitigation-options/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 0 0 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:9725360308942536844-24931f31661617c4e8243b76399d142a 2013-04-08T11:20:28.936-04:00

The worst thing you can do for your credit is to allow inaccurate or out of date information to remain on your credit report. By simply checking your credit report, you can stay apprised of all suspicious action. Remaining on

The worst thing you can do for your credit is to allow inaccurate or out of date information to remain on your credit report. By simply checking your credit report, you can stay apprised of all suspicious action. Remaining on http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/why-should-i-check-my-credit-report/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 0 0 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:12515978146690147690-7449c6fed4ff5fe491fe600db46a3c72 2012-11-06T11:27:46.887-05:00

Business + Home = Homestead Business – Home = Tough Luck Until 1999, Texas allowed an exemption with the oxymoronic name of “business homestead.” As it went, if a debtor had two pieces of property, one he lived on and

Business + Home = Homestead Business – Home = Tough Luck Until 1999, Texas allowed an exemption with the oxymoronic name of “business homestead.” As it went, if a debtor had two pieces of property, one he lived on and http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/business-homestead-texas/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 0 0 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:7100645980220854899-d3ffe688e2d8d6586bb4a655c3fbe679 2013-04-15T17:43:02.691-04:00

http://www.bajacallcenters.com/call-center-news/mexico-call-centers-news/331-mexico-growing-over-india-outsourcing.html Alma Denisse Martinez amartinez238 2 0 0 2 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:9793808065793360539-4955d1b8d10a2afbe67c26c3697a1c81 2013-03-20T13:57:01.157-04:00

If you’re reading this blog because you are facing foreclosure, you may have already spent some time on the internet researching ways to help you keep your house. Probably you have found a variety of lawyers and non-lawyer websites touting

If you’re reading this blog because you are facing foreclosure, you may have already spent some time on the internet researching ways to help you keep your house. Probably you have found a variety of lawyers and non-lawyer websites touting http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/alternatives-to-foreclosure-defense-offer-better-results/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 0 0 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:16689520002194265886-bf56e77c9301c00fc10797c826bc8354 2012-12-26T12:03:07.215-05:00

This blog covers what to do if you are facing a problem with an old judgment clouding title to your homestead.

This blog covers what to do if you are facing a problem with an old judgment clouding title to your homestead. http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/cannot-get-a-home-loan-because-of-an-old-judgment/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 0 0 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:3158215342108319457-93d4b995231aabc4afad515115859207 2013-02-18T12:51:51.471-05:00

Every year the debt collection industry generates far more consumer complaints to the Federal Trade Commission that any other. These mounting complaints led the FTC to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the debt collection process. That study highlighted what the

Every year the debt collection industry generates far more consumer complaints to the Federal Trade Commission that any other. These mounting complaints led the FTC to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the debt collection process. That study highlighted what the http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/ftc-releases-report-on-debt-buyer-practices/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 2 2 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:13093610328755722394-f90a81a4b7f421c901f13c31f804072a 2013-04-10T11:43:48.734-04:00

Evidence is building that more and more often, medical bills are pushing people into bankruptcy. An article by the Examiner evaluates a study of recent bankruptcy cases, finding that “75% of the entire pool surveyed had some type of health

Evidence is building that more and more often, medical bills are pushing people into bankruptcy. An article by the Examiner evaluates a study of recent bankruptcy cases, finding that “75% of the entire pool surveyed had some type of health http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/medical-bills-pushing-people-to-bankruptcy/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 1 1 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:10156802294500277398-b4742fae34324f9629a9d81494859841 2012-12-31T12:37:49.448-05:00

According to a new report released from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, only one in five consumers check their credit reports each year. Richard Cordray, the agency’s director described the situation as a “shame” while speaking with reporters. The Consumer

According to a new report released from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, only one in five consumers check their credit reports each year. Richard Cordray, the agency’s director described the situation as a “shame” while speaking with reporters. The Consumer http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/report-says-1-in-5-consumers-know-their-credit-score/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 2 2 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:8470163455142455628-691f2d07d378a4f80d9ed77da223395b 2013-01-16T17:00:41.126-05:00

Financial decisions stick with you for much longer than you might think. Individuals who have been in the workforce for many years have hopefully built up an emergency fund of sorts and have some financial plan in place to protect

Financial decisions stick with you for much longer than you might think. Individuals who have been in the workforce for many years have hopefully built up an emergency fund of sorts and have some financial plan in place to protect http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/how-to-avoid-major-financial-mistakes-for-twentysomethings/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 3 2 1 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:13695386642823667680-89aee03f96594cb0880b766e4b5adb98 2013-02-11T13:28:50.231-05:00

In 2012, the Chapter 13 trustees of the Northern District of Texas implemented procedures to capture tax refunds sent directly to debtors. In prior years, the IRS had sent refund checks directly to the Trustees. Northern District General Order 2010-01 authorized Trustees to

In 2012, the Chapter 13 trustees of the Northern District of Texas implemented procedures to capture tax refunds sent directly to debtors. In prior years, the IRS had sent refund checks directly to the Trustees. Northern District General Order 2010-01 authorized Trustees to http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/may-chapter-13-debtors-be-compelled-to-turn-over-income-tax-refunds/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 2 2 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:13292405631736455284-f5a7d63ce35e4e5a68fc04984003b37e 2013-01-14T12:32:08.933-05:00

We did not go over the “fiscal cliff” after all. As most know, a compromise bill was passed on various tax issues to avert the potentially devastating fiscal cliff requirements. Income tax rates, payroll taxes, and the estate tax were

We did not go over the “fiscal cliff” after all. As most know, a compromise bill was passed on various tax issues to avert the potentially devastating fiscal cliff requirements. Income tax rates, payroll taxes, and the estate tax were http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/good-news-for-distressed-property-owners/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 1 0 1 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:13297927864387600351-aa95bd5eba5fadec5fa26320b0961154 2013-04-01T11:56:16.949-04:00

The FTC has been busy cracking down on mortgage relief scams. Just this year, the FTC has obtained settlements from over 20 individuals and companies involved with scamming distressed homeowners. Most recently, two individuals and seven companies settled FTC charges

The FTC has been busy cracking down on mortgage relief scams. Just this year, the FTC has obtained settlements from over 20 individuals and companies involved with scamming distressed homeowners. Most recently, two individuals and seven companies settled FTC charges http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/ftc-cracking-down-on-mortgage-relief-scammers/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 1 1 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:18187343716730263794-f7b5019db3231e261a6dd959be0f6b32 2012-12-04T13:58:50.331-05:00

Last time, we considered home equity loans and cashing in retirement savings, and why those strategies aren’t great ideas for paying down credit card debt. We talked about how consolidation loans pay off credit cards but put the collateral —

Last time, we considered home equity loans and cashing in retirement savings, and why those strategies aren’t great ideas for paying down credit card debt. We talked about how consolidation loans pay off credit cards but put the collateral — http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/saving-your-assets-part-2/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 1 1 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:7402857657835101351-e76a3d7b5cc8c6b0c9b6453f52ba339f 2013-02-22T15:29:56.802-05:00

http://kmichael.articlealley.com/commercial-collection-agencies--what-can-they-do-to-help-your-business-collect-debts-1638876.html Kevin Lieberman klieberman207 6 6 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:9447816312091995422-048cf2d5189a6d9cb998760861087d71 2013-03-27T11:12:27.521-04:00

What the FDCPA is and to Whom It Applies Are you being contacted by a debt collector? Whether you are behind on payments, or a creditor wrongly thinks you are, you have rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

What the FDCPA is and to Whom It Applies Are you being contacted by a debt collector? Whether you are behind on payments, or a creditor wrongly thinks you are, you have rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/fair-debt-collection-practices-act-who-and-what/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 1 1 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:18191547851250248443-4ce5ce34fc7e3a706e0af9642804d37f 2013-02-25T14:44:09.381-05:00

Are you facing a lawsuit because of debt that you owe?  Your bank, a credit card company, or other business may have just served you with legal papers indicating that they are using the court to collect. For many Dallas

Are you facing a lawsuit because of debt that you owe?  Your bank, a credit card company, or other business may have just served you with legal papers indicating that they are using the court to collect. For many Dallas http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/how-to-deal-with-a-debt-lawsuit/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 1 1 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:1123043889182876990-258c11ce5136fdf7b189955dc78b0b0b 2012-12-17T11:19:33.785-05:00

When both natural and man-caused disasters happen, there is always an outpouring of goodwill. The big issue facing people eager to provide aid is how exactly to help those in need. The easiest way for people to help is often

When both natural and man-caused disasters happen, there is always an outpouring of goodwill. The big issue facing people eager to provide aid is how exactly to help those in need. The easiest way for people to help is often http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/disaster-relief-scams/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 2 2 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:14566931389320033326-39679dea6f4ea9d886f2eeae3c9e1d2d 2013-04-05T12:11:12.288-04:00

How do you know if you are suffering collection harassment, and when is it time to seek an attorney? If you are constantly harassed, embarrassed, or threatened by collection agencies, it is likely you are a victim. According to an

How do you know if you are suffering collection harassment, and when is it time to seek an attorney? If you are constantly harassed, embarrassed, or threatened by collection agencies, it is likely you are a victim. According to an http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/when-collection-agencies-go-too-far/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 2 2 0 0 urn:com:businessweek:bx:article:1351358853611128536-f1dee516d61b3d05ce93e8f5ba44bfd5 2013-02-22T11:34:45.076-05:00

Being contacted by a debt collection company is a stressful, frustrating, and sometimes frightening process. These entities often provide very little information about the debt that they claim is owed. In addition, it is not uncommon for the representatives to

Being contacted by a debt collection company is a stressful, frustrating, and sometimes frightening process. These entities often provide very little information about the debt that they claim is owed. In addition, it is not uncommon for the representatives to http://www.armstrongattorneys.com/be-aware-of-common-debt-collection-scams/ Gary Armstrong garmstrong145 2 2 0 0