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Medical Bills and Debt Collection

 $88 billion of outstanding medical bills are currently in collections – affecting one in five Americans.  My own academic research at Utah State University and that of University of Utah Economics Ph.D. Levi Pace revealed that medical bills were a major cause of personal bankruptcy filings in Utah. Similar research in other states confirm our…

Have you ever heard of "debt parking"?

It’s ‘Debt Parking’: When Fake Debts End Up on Your Credit Report “The F.T.C. recently took its first legal action to stop the fraud. Consumers may not know the debts are on their reports until they apply for a loan.” Thanks to The New York Times writer Ann Carrns for exposing this despicable practice by…

Mounting car debt traps more drivers

Look at all those huge shiny new pick up trucks and SUVs on the roads these days! Are Americans really that affluent? Not really. How could it make sense to buy a $27,000 vehicle with a $45,000 loan? No I did not mix up the numbers as reported by AnnaMaria Andriotis & Ben Eisen on…

Debt Collection Lawsuits

Are you facing a debt collection lawsuit?  “In the last five years, there have been over 330,000 debt collection If you don’t respond to a lawsuit within 21 days, the judge will accept everything in the complaint as true.” lawsuits filed in Utah. Over 98% of those sued don’t hire an attorney. And most don’t…

6 Unusual Ways to Get Out of Debt

“Driving for Uber, pet sitting through Dog Vacay and doing odd jobs through Task Rabbit are all options to pick up extra money” according to Andy Smith, a certified financial planner. Maryalene La Ponsie describes the pros and cons of other creative way to find money to pay off debt. Her article includes links to…