Top articles for Credit & Debt Services

How Does Online Credit Card Processing Work?

How Does Online Credit Card Processing Work?

Using credit cards to make purchases online is an increasingly popular method of payment. It is for this reason that merchants with websites need to understand how online credit card processing functions so that they can set up and oversee the processes on their own. ...read more

How to Compare Debt Reduction Services

How to Compare Debt Reduction Services

Not being able to pay your creditors due to job loss or other unforeseen circumstances can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Bill collectors will call you at all hours of the day attempting collect. A debt reduction service may be the answer for your situation, but there are scams that you will want to avoid and therefore, you want to choose a reliable service. ...read more

How Do Merchant Services Work?

How Do Merchant Services Work?

Making sales these days is highly competitive and if you are not accepting charge and debit cards, you are missing out on sales. There are many different types of processing equipment deals as well as variables in merchant services. Learn how merchant services work and put them to use to make sales you may have been missing. You pay for processing and equipment, but it is well worth the minimal investment for great returns. ...read more

How Safe Are Debt Settlement Companies?

How Safe Are Debt Settlement Companies?

You have probably seen the commercials for debt settlement companies and are considering calling for help to reduce your debt. However, you need to proceed with caution since some debt settlement companies use unethical procedures that only harm their clients. ...read more

How to Avoid Debt Elimination Scams

How to Avoid Debt Elimination Scams

Unfortunately debt elimination scams do exist. It's easy for those who are desperate to get out of debt to become victims of these scams. If you take your time and understand what the programs will and won't do, you'll be much better prepared to make a good decision. ...read more

Shocking Facts About Debt Settlement Companies

Shocking Facts About Debt Settlement Companies

Many people find themselves in debt at one time or another, this can be a very scary and stressful situation. This is especially true if your debt seems to insurmountable. When looking for help, people in this situation may turn to debt settlement companies, however there are some things you should know about these companies. ...read more

How to Evaluate Christian Debt Relief Services

How to Evaluate Christian Debt Relief Services

With all of the debt relief services scams available; it is wise to be skeptical. Many services masquerade themselves as Christian debt relief services in hopes that people will trust them. There are a few legitimate Christian debt relief services. Evaluating and researching them is important. ...read more

How to Choose Debt Consolidation Nonprofit Companies

How to Choose Debt Consolidation Nonprofit Companies

Job loss, illness, and other factors can cause debt to pile to the point when you may see no way out. It can be an overwhelming feeling especially when you can see no way to meet all your debt. However, debt consolidation via a nonprofit company is often the answer as it brings your debt into a more manageable monthly payment. ...read more

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Santander Bank

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By Anytime at Citysearch

Spectacular hours, fast service. \t\n\t\nBeen let down several times by the one on North Main St. and more recently the Downtown one. ...read more

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Read The Latest Newsletter from Consumer Credit Counseling Service 1-800-254-4100

We've just published a new edition of our newsletter! You can check it out on our website and get the latest information from Consumer Credit Counseling Service 1-800-254-4100. Let us know what you think! Read It Now Here ...read more

By Consumer Credit Counseling Service 1-800-254-4100 May 11, 2011

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

Fair Credit Reporting Act (Summary) Public Law 91-508 The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) allows a consumer to challenge the information on his credit report on the basis of "completeness and accuracy." If, after a reinvestigation by the credit bureau, the disputed information "is found to be inaccurate or can no longer be verified, the [credit bureau] shall promptly delete such information." The credit bureaus are required to complete the investigation within a "reasonable period of time." This period has been set at thirty days. The credit bureaus can ignore the consumer dispute if they have reason to believe that the dispute is "frivolous or irrelevant." The FTC commentary on the FCRA cites, as an example of a frivolous dispute, a dispute wherein the consumer challenges all negative items on his credit report without providing any allegations regarding specific items in the credit file. However, "A [credit bureau] must assume a consumer's dispute is bona fide, unless there is clear and convincing evidence to the contrary." When a consumer challenges a negative credit listing on the basis of extenuating circumstances, such as health problems, divorce, job loss, etc., the credit bureaus are entitled to ignore that dispute. When a consumer submits a dispute which is neither frivolous nor irrelevant by credit bureau standards, the credit bureau must "at a minimum... check with the original sources or other reliable sources of the disputed information and inform them of the nature of the consumer's dispute." In some cases of consumer dispute, "Reinvestigation and verification may require more than asking the original source of the disputed information the same question and receiving the same answer." In other words, when a consumer files or re-files a valid dispute, the credit bureaus must contact the source of the credit information (the creditor) and confirm that the information is accurate, verifiable, and not obsolete. In some circumstances, the credit bureau is required to go beyond a simple verification of the creditor's own computer record. If, within 30 days, the credit bureau has not received verification from the creditor, then the credit bureau must promptly delete the credit listing. In theory and law, the process is deceptively simple, thus leading many people to think that they can easily handle this themselves "for the price of a few postage stamps." Most quickly discover that the credit bureaus have made it much more difficult than one would imagine. For help in this, we recommend using Lexington Law a professional credit report repair company. ...read more

By Consumer Credit Counseling Service 1-800-254-4100 May 02, 2011