The amount of debt the average American has been estimated to be close to $8,000! If you get behind on paying your debts, get ready to hear from DEBT COLLECTORS!

You must know your rights!

YOU DON'T HAVE TO PUT UP WITH DEBT COLLECTION CALLS!

When you get a call or letter from a debt collector, DON'T ADMIT TO THE DEBT, but instead, get the address of the collection agency.

Write a letter demanding that they know longer call you at home or at work.

Mail by certified mail so that you have proof that they received it.

If they continue to call, report them to your state's attorney general.

IF YOUR DEBT IS A FEW YEARS OLD, MAKE THE COLLECTOR VERIFY IT!

The statute of limitations on unsecured credit card debt varies from state to state.

In Oregon, it is 6 years. 

This means that if the debt has had no payments and/or activity for over 6 years, it must be removed from the credit report and in deemed "un-collectable".

When you request a verification of the debt, the collector must:

• Stop all collection activities
• Provide proof of original documentation that you indeed owe the debt

Many times a collector has purchased debts and may or may not be able to verify.  If this is the case, you may not have to pay.

IF YOU ARE RETIRED AND ONLY RECEIVE INCOME FROM RETIREMENT SOURCES, YOU ARE EXEMPT FROM GARNISHMENT OR LEVY.

Debt collectors love to scare seniors and/or retired persons!

If your income is from a State or Federal Pension System and the benefits are automatically deposited in your bank account, the bank must perform a 2 months "look back" if they receive a garnishment request from a collector.

This law went into effect on May 1, 2011.

Unfortunately, this only applies to DIRECT DEPOSITS and not normal deposits.

If you are retired, and only receive retirement income, sit down with your banking contact and see if they will "FLAG" your account in case of a garnishment request.

If they will not, find another bank!

IF YOU ARE FACING A LOT OF UNSECURED DEBT, A COLLECTOR MAY ACCEPT A SETTLEMENT FOR LESS THAN THE BALANCE.

This is called "DEBT SETTLEMENT", and it is done everyday to help people clear up past debts.

Debt Settlement can be done by anyone, but it takes time, patience and experience to get the best settlements.

If you need help in this area, let us know.

If you find that your debt is out of control, it's always good to get back to the basics.   

DEBT CONTROL BASICS:

A)  DON'T BE A VICTUM OF "EASY CREDIT TERMS"!

We have all been at the check out stand and the sales person asks if we would like to get an instant 20% off the purchase.  All we have to do is just take a few minutes to fill out an application for their store card.

Sounds like a good deal, right?  WRONG

Most of the time, store cards are not a good idea. Let's say that your bill is $100 and with the 20% off it is only $80.  Nice savings.  I bet you are starting to feel like an Extreme Couponer! 

However, if you don't pay the remaining $80 off within 30 days and just pay the minumum payments, you could end up paying 2-3 times as much to finally pay off that card.  Not only that, but store cards often come with high interest rates.  Frugal shopper beware!

B) DON'T BUY SOMETHING IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT!

I know this sounds simple, but most people get in trouble with their credit as result of spending way beyond their means!

Here's what happens:

You already have a couple of credit cards charged up to about 70%-80% of the credit limit, and you are making the minimum payments each month without too much effort.

You "really need or want" that item and tell yourself something like "It would only increase my monthly payment by $20 and I can handle that."

                               WARNING!     WARNING!    WARNING!

• Your credit limits will start to be maxed out and that will result in a higher CREDIT RATIO.  Your credit score will decline.
• By the time you repay these cards making minimum payments, you could end up repaying 2-3 times as much as the current balances!
• If you should have a severe financial setback, such as Unemployment, Divorce or Major Illness, you could be in real trouble.

C) CONSIDER A DEBT MANAGEMENT OR DEBT SETTLEMENT PROGRAM.

If you find yourself starting to get into financial trouble because of TOO MUCH DEBT, consider a DEBT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM or a DEBT SETTLEMENT PROGRAM.

DEBT MANAGEMENT is a program designed to:

• Combine all of your payments into ONE PAYMENT.
• Reduce the interest rates and fees.
• Help you pay off all of your cards in about 48 months

But, if you do not quality for a DMP, you should consider a DEBT SETTLEMENT PLAN:

• One monthly payment much less than all of your current minimum payments
• May reduce your balances by 50% or more
• Avoid bankruptcy

If you would like a FREE CONSULTATION with NO OBLIGATION, CLICK HERE!

When your debts are out of control and you miss or get behind in payments, the creditor will do whatever they can to collect, including calling and calling and calling....

The good news is that you DON'T HAVE TO PUT UP WITH IT!

3 Tips on How to Stop Collection Calls

First Tip:

According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), a consumer can demand that a creditor or collector STOP CALLING.

Next time the creditor or collector calls, get the address of the company.

Tell them you plan to send them "something" and need the address.

Second Tip:

Write a brief letter that states something like this:

"I realize that I am behind in my payments and have every intention of repaying this debt as soon as my circumstances improve."

"In the meantime, I am making an official request that you cease calling the following numbers: (list home, cell, etc.)"

"If these calls do not stop, I will file a formal complaint about your company with my State's Attorney Genreral's office."

Sign and date.

Third Tip:

Spend a little extra money to send the letter by CERITIFIED MAIL.

You will get a receipt and the recipient will have to sign for the letter, proving they did receive it.

If you feel overwhelmed with your debt, we can help! Simply call 877-492-4109 to speak to one of our debt solutions specialists right now or click on the link below.

If you are looking for a debt settlement company in Oregon or anywhere else in the country for that matter, there are 5 things to look for:

5 Things to Look for in an Oregon Debt Settlement Company

#1 Visit the Debt Settlement Companie's Website

Does the website offer in depth information, or is it just a landing page to capture your contact information?

A quality site will provide:

• Detailed information about your choices when faced with debt
• A blog that contains all kinds of vital information on a variety of topics
• Free downloads to useful tools
• Free consultation with a debt specialist
  

#2 Check their BBB Rating

What is the companies Better Business Bureau rating?  It is not essential that the company be "accredited" with the BBB.

In fact, the BBB is a private company that makes it's money from providing information about other companies for profit. To be "accredited", a company must pay an annual fee.

Focus on their BBB rating and complaint history!

# 3 Check to see if the company is registered with the state?

For example, any company that offers Debt Management, Debt Settlement or basically anything having to do with finance, must be registered with the Oregon Division of Finance.

There was an interesting article in the Oregonian today about an out-of-state debt settlement company that was fined for financially abusing elderly customers, so be careful and do your homework.

# 4  Go with Your Gut.

When you call the Debt Settlement Company do you feel like it is trying to help you or just trying to get you to sign up?  Having too much debt is very stressful and the last thing you need is to have someone try to give you a "one size fits all" approach to your problem.

A professional, quality debt settlement company will spend a lot of time discussing and counseling with you to determine what your best options are.

If you contact a debt settlement company and all they offer is debt settlement, HANG UP!

Your situation is unique and the answer could be one of several options including:

• Debt Management
• Debt Settlement
• Bankruptcy
• Credit Report Errors of Correction

# 5 Trust your Debt Solutions Specialist

You should feel like the person you are speaking with is knowledgeable, patient, thorough, and experienced.  If not, then trust your feelings and keep looking!

If you have too much debt and not enough income to service the minimum payments, it is time to take action before bankruptcy is your only option.

Here are 3 tips that will help you find debt relief

#1 Take a close look at your finances

You need to find out exactly where you are in your finances. In other words, you must know how much you have coming in each month and how much must go out.  One of the best things you can do is to sit down and complete a BASIC BUDGET.

BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF!

NET INCOME means this is what you have left to spend after mandatory state and federal taxes are taken out of your paycheck. If you are self employed...don't kid yourself...you are going to have to PAY UP, so deduct those taxes (including payroll if you have employees).

#2  Evaluate your debt

How much unsecured debt (credit cards, store cards, personal lines of credit, medical bills, etc.) do you have and more important, how much is the minimum payment required to meet all of them?

If you must have $500 a month just to cover the minimum payments required, and you honestly only have $350 a month after all mandatory expenses, YOU'VE ONLY GOT A COUPLE OF CHOICES.

#3  Review Your Options with an Experienced Counselor!

Don't give up and just seek bankruptcy.  Bankruptcy may end up being the best choice for you, but before you jump in, make sure you know all of your options!

• A DEBT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

• A DEBT SETTLEMENT PROGRAM

In order to determine which program is best for you, you will need to spend a few minutes with an experienced counselor.  This service is FREE and you are under NO OBLIGATION.