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Tag: debt consolidation

  • Collection Agency Harassment: How to Stop the Calls

    collection agency harassmentCanadians have become so accustomed to carrying debt, and for some being in debt has become the norm. It is true that the vast majority of Canadians do have debt and when debt accumulates to the point where you are defaulting on monthly payments, the debt you have can be the source of considerable stress. This is especially true if your creditor has sent your debt to a collection company resulting in collection agency harassment!

    Collection agency harassment comes in many forms, but the most common is phone calls demanding payment for uncollected funds. These calls can come during the day, in the evening, on the weekends – when you are at home and at work. If you have been receiving these calls, or are nervous that they may begin in the very near future, it is best not to avoid the issue. The calls are not going to stop just because you don’t answer the phone – if anything they will increase in frequency. The collection agency may also pursue other methods to make contact with you that can be the source of embarrassment.

    In provinces like Ontario collection agencies are regulated by the appropriate ministry. In Ontario that ministry is the Ministry of Consumer Services (MCS). Reading your province’s legislation that deals with the regulation of collection agencies is your first step towards stopping collection agency harassment. If an agent called you at a time he or she wasn’t supposed to or disclosed information about you or your debt to a third party such as a family member or co-worker, you may file a complaint with the government to stop the collection agency harassment.

    Formulate a plan to deal with the debt. It won’t go away by itself and as long as it sits in collections it will accumulate very high interest, can be damaging to your credit and the collection agency will continue to pursue you. Speak with a financial consultant who has experience stopping collection agency harassment for help and also to learn about programs that can help you deal with the root problem – the debt itself.

    There are several very effective forms of debt relief in Canada, most common among them are debt settlements, consumer proposals, debt consolidation, mortgage refinancing and bankruptcy. All of these approaches have different benefits. While a consumer proposal can reduce your debt and freeze interest, it can also impact your credit in the short-run. While mortgage refinancing will enable you to rebuild credit faster, you will have to pay closing costs and interest to use your home equity to consolidate your debt. Only a skilled financial consultant can help you to review your options and help you choose the one that will best help you achieve your personal financial goals.

    If you are facing collection agency harassment it might be time to get the ball rolling and seek out debt relief from a professional organization experienced in dealing with collection agencies and helping individuals get rid of their debt. Get control of your debt – don’t let your debt control you!

    For more information about debt relief to stop collection agency harassment please contact DebtCare Canada today by calling 1-800-890-0888.

  • Canada Day: Are You Sticking to Your Debt Reduction Strategies?

    debt reductionHappy Canada Day everyone! July 1st marks the half-way point of the year, and it is time to look back at the last six months and see how well you have managed thus far to stick to your New Year’s resolution. If you, like so many other Canadians, made a resolution involving your personal debt reduction but seem to be falling behind, you may not actually like this glance back. But don’t worry, according to a recent survey done by PricewaterhouseCoopers, you are not alone.

    An article on this survey released by CBC News reports that 63% of survey respondents said that their financial goals for 2013 included significant debt reduction. However, less than 25% of those had actually managed to achieve this goal, while 26% said that they had been completely unsuccessful.  Economists continue to report on the status of Canadian debt levels, trying to hammer home the importance of personal debt reduction and adopting debt reduction strategies, but it seems as though Canadians across the nation are having a much harder time actually making these strategies work for them.

    If you are reading this and find yourself in the 26% range, having had no significant victory over your current debt load over the first half of 2013, it might be time to think about an alternative debt reduction plan that will actually work.

    A debt reduction company likely isn’t the answer. Debt reduction companies will often have you made a monthly payment to them over an extended period of time with a promise that when enough money is received they will settle your debts. One problem though – what happens if they go out of business? What security do you have that your money is secure? Also, a debt reduction company that offers a service will be motivated to push their product.

    A financial consulting company, hired by you to represent you, can present you with all of your financial options. This could include debt reduction through settlements or through a consumer proposal. It could also mean a debt consolidation – your debt reduction solution will largely depend on your personal circumstances. Pay attention to marketing by debt reduction companies. A debt reduction company that says they ‘will’ reduce your debt by 80% for example is different from a financial consulting company who says that they ‘may’ be able to reduce your debt. No company can make a guarantee without knowing your individual circumstances.

    What types of strategies exist? Well, as we mentioned, one is a consumer proposal. This is by no means the only approach. However, if you are drowning in debt and are only able to make your minimum monthly payments, or worse, not even these, this solution might be the best choice. Debt consolidation might be another solution to reduce your monthly payments by consolidating debt into a single monthly payment. Whatever your situation, exploring all of your options is the best way to reach a positive outcome.

    If you want to actually achieve your New Year’s resolution and take control of your debt, you don’t have to do it alone. A good financial consultant can provide you with the help you need to get control of your finances.

    For more information about debt reduction strategies that will actually help you reduce your debt, please contact DebtCare Canada by calling 1-800-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • Can You Really Trust An Ontario Bankruptcy Trustee

    Ontario Bankruptcy TrusteeBefore you can determine if you can trust an Ontario bankruptcy trustee, you first have to understand what an Ontario bankruptcy trustee is and what his or her role in a bankruptcy or consumer proposal is.

    An Ontario bankruptcy trustee is an individual or a corporation that is licensed by the Superintendent of Bankruptcy. Bankruptcy trustees are regulated federally. The role of an Ontario bankruptcy trustee is to administer bankruptcies and proposals, administer the estates of the bankrupts, hold in trust and subsequently distribute the assets of the bankrupt. The bankruptcy trustee must follow the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA).

    The bankruptcy trustee is to be impartial and act in the best interests of both the bankrupt and the creditors. The same is true whether you are filing a consumer proposal or a bankruptcy. In the case of a bankruptcy, the bankruptcy trustee can oppose your discharge if you have not fulfilled your obligations under the bankruptcy. These obligations can change over the course of your bankruptcy and/or as a result of undisclosed information at the time you filed for bankruptcy. In layman’s terms, if you incorrectly estimate the value of an asset, forget to tell the trustee that you have a particular asset or in the middle of your bankruptcy you get a better job, this may change your monthly payment in bankruptcy and the length of time you are bankrupt – the bankruptcy trustee will make this determination.

    In the case of a consumer proposal you don’t have an ongoing obligation to the bankruptcy trustee like you do in a bankruptcy. With that said, the bankruptcy trustee assesses the proposal they will offer your creditors based on extracting maximum value for your creditors.

    So the answer to the question “can you trust an Ontario bankruptcy trustee” is yes. They are a licensed, regulated officer of the court. However, now that you know the role a trustee plays in a bankruptcy or consumer proposal, it may not be wise to approach him or her directly, no matter how warm and fuzzy the advertising is.

    Consumer proposals and bankruptcies are good options for getting out of debt and starting off on a fresh footing, but before jumping to this conclusion it is important to consider all of your financial options. Working with a qualified financial consultant that is experienced working with debt consolidation, mortgages, debt settlements, consumer proposals and bankruptcies will make you aware of these options. A financial consultant who is hired by you to represent your financial interests will ensure that you can be open and honest about all of your finances, ask questions that won’t impact you and assess a host of different financial choices. He or she can also line you up with the appropriate professionals (this includes bankruptcy trustees if necessary) and represent you through the process. This takes the burden off of you and ensures that you walk away with the best possible deal. In the case of a consumer proposal you could save thousands of dollars.

    If you are struggling with a financial problem and would like to review your financial options contact DebtCare Canada at 888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • How to Check Your Credit Score?

    In Canada, a credit Check Your Credit Scorereport and credit score is used by many different institutions, including banks, credit agencies, and even employers. These documents contain important information about your borrowing and repayment habits, and provide a detailed account of your past financial history. Even though these reports are so important, many Canadians are not familiar with the process of requesting and understanding the credit score.

    Understanding your credit score is important for a number of reasons. One of the most important is because, whenever you apply for credit, be it a mortgage, automotive financing, or a credit card, your credit report is pulled by the lending institution and assessed. In order to qualify, you must meet certain qualifications with regard to the report, and so knowing where you stand is crucial.

    What if your credit score is less than stellar? Too much credit, being too close to your limits or too many late or missed payments can severely reduce your credit score.

    In order to bring the score up, it might be prudent to speak with a financial debt consultant to discuss some options to reduce your debt and regain those lost credit points. Debt consolidation or consumer proposals are great options to help you get rid of your debt.

    So, do you know how to check your credit score and credit report? Here is some important information that will help.

    Requesting your credit score is actually quite simple. There are a few different credit reporting agencies in Canada, but the most popular are TransUnion and Equifax. Both of these agencies provide online copies of your credit report and credit score for a fee – simply visit the website, enter in some identity confirming information, and you will be able to print your credit report and credit score.

    Another reason that it is important to understand how to check your credit score and credit report is to make sure that everything it contains is accurate. Credit reporting agencies can make mistakes when compiling the information, and if something is reported incorrectly this can harm your overall credit. It is important to check your report regularly in order to find any mistakes and remedy them. That being said, when a mistake is brought to the attention of a credit reporting agency you may find yourself frustrated by the amount of back and forth that takes place. If you find yourself having a hard time dealing with those credit reporting agencies and their unwillingness to accept responsibility or fix the incorrect data, contact a financial consultant who can help get the issue resolved.

    If you want more information about how to check your credit score and how to understand your credit report, please contact DebtCare Canada by calling 888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • How Can I Fix My Credit?

    Fix My CreditWe all know that bad things happen to good people. No one wakes up in the morning wanting to damage his or her credit. Thousands of Canadians have damaged credit, so if you are wondering “how can I fix my credit”, know that you are not alone and fortunately it can be done – and fairly quickly.

    To all those who want the answer to the question “how can I fix my credit”, here are some tips:

    Before you can repair credit you must deal with any past problem credit. First of all, the old adage that bad credit, even bad credit with unpaid balances, will simply fall off the credit report after 7 years is a myth and banking on that happening may leave you disappointed in the end. Before you can repair your credit you must get rid of unpaid balances associated with bad credit. Easier said than done, right? Well, actually it isn’t. There are many programs available to consumers who have outstanding balances on bad credit where you can make settlements at significantly less than what you owe and freeze the interest accruing. Debt consolidation is another realistic option. Leveraging home equity or having a co-signer can enable you to consolidate debt, paying off the defaulted balances.

    Once the bad credit balances are dealt with it’s time to get to work and rebuild. The two best products that can be used to accomplish this are a secured credit card which reports to your credit report coupled with a secured loan like a GIC which will report to your credit and enable you to work towards an asset. Avoid credit products that bear sky high interest and don’t report to your credit report like payday loans.

    Once new credit is arranged to rebuild, how you manage the new credit will be vital. Many misguided consumers think that when they get that secured credit card they should use it and make monthly payments to rebuild. Unlike installment credit (a loan), revolving credit can be good for your credit or ruin your credit depending how you manage it – even if you make your monthly payments on time. If you run up a large balance on your secured credit card and it is close to, at, or over the limit, this will negatively impact your credit. A good rule of thumb is to only use what you can pay in full each month and don’t exceed 50% of your credit limit as a balance. This means that if you have a secured card with a $200 limit, keep your monthly spending on the credit card under $100 per month. How you manage even the smallest credit card is an indicator to future creditors of whether or not you are a credit risk.

    What to avoid: avoid store cards like furniture cards. All too often people buy furniture and get financing on a card offered through the store. If you buy $2,000 worth of furniture and then they get you approved for $2,000 worth of financing – even if it is interest free and even if there are no monthly payment obligations – this will have the impact of a maxed out credit card on your credit report. Avoid making more than 4 applications for credit in any one given calendar year. Credit applications are reported to your credit report and too many will reduce your credit score and make you appear as a “credit seeker” to new creditors. Be careful because many companies will try to look at your credit: employers, banks when opening accounts, gyms, insurance companies, etc. Generally speaking, if you are about to go into a contract with any organization and you are being asked to sign something, read the small print – it could include your permission to access your credit report.

    Now that we have addressed the question “how can I fix my credit”, let’s get started! Contact DebtCare Canada today at 888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • Get Out of Debt Canada

    Even though the economy seems to be rebounding, the average Canadian household debt load continues to grow. People across the country are still relying heavily on credit for a great number of their normal purchases, and many are finding it harder and harder to pull themselves out of this dangerous cycle.

    The stats on Canadian debt are unprecedented. A recent report from the CBC stated that the average unsecured consumer debt load jumped 4.6 percent in the third quarter of 2012 – the average amount being $26,768. The debt to income ratio has jumped from 140 to 165 percent. For Canadians, the trend seems to be one of continued reliance on credit to the extent that many are opting to up limits and increase borrowing.

    This trend is becoming more and more problematic for those Canadians unable to meet minimum monthly payments. If monthly financial responsibilities exceed income, the results can be disastrous. This is why it has become increasingly important to get out of debt and take back control of your finances.

    An important thing to remember when you are thinking about how to get out of debt is that you don’t have to do it by yourself. The influx of companies offering debt reduction services is evidence of this. Many Canadians are turning to these companies to get out of debt. It is important though, even with new regulations being put in place, to make sure that the company you choose is one that has your best interests in mind.

    A good financial consultant is a great option for a number of reasons. An experienced, well-reputed financial consulting company can offer you solutions to get out of debt the right way. By offering you budgeting advice alongside various methods to get out of debt, a debt reduction company can give you the help that you need to get rid of your debt.

    Many Canadians worry that bankruptcy is the only option when drowning in debt – it isn’t. Instead, debt consolidation is a great solution for many Canadians, as is entering into a consumer proposal. Consolidating your various monthly payments into one, easily managed payment not only makes it easier to pay, but this can also reduce the interest. A consumer proposal, if accepted, can reduce your debt substantially, making it far easier to get out of debt much more quickly.

    Don’t keep ignoring your financial problems to the point that they take over your life. Instead, talk to a good financial consultant who can present the options available to help you get out of debt – before it is too late.

    It is time to get out of debt Canada. For more information about how to deal with your debt, please contact DebtCare Canada today by calling 888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • When to Use Online Financial Calculators

    Technology has brought us so many online tools for financial planning; there are online financial calculators for literally everything. Mortgage financing/refinancing, debt reduction, car payments, interest, and budgeting are all things that online financial calculators can help manage.

    Online financial calculators are very useful when planning anything from a new mortgage to calculating the interest that you are paying on credit cards. Of all the online financial calculators, mortgage calculators can be used for the most diverse range of financial calculations.

    What’s really cool about mortgage calculators is that you can use them to not only calculate monthly payments on a mortgage but also on loans.

    If you have a lot of debt for example, here is how you can use a mortgage calculator to create different financial scenarios if you were to consolidate:

    1. Input your total debt into the mortgage calculator.
    2. Set the term and amortization to 5 years – this will give you an idea of what it would take to get you out of debt within 5 years.
    3. Calculate your payment based on an approx. interest rate that you believe best reflects the average interest rate that you would pay if the bank gave you a loan to consolidate your debt. A general rule of thumb would be to use 10%-15% if your calculation is based on a bank’s loan rate.
    4. Now do the same calculations with the interest rate set to zero.

    Completing the above steps will enable you to see how much you would have to pay monthly if you were to consolidate debt at zero percent interest vs. full interest.

    One risk though when it comes to using online financial calculators is that calculations may not be accurate once the time comes to seek out a credit product or debt solution that fits with the estimates that you have calculated. For example, what if you have made a calculation based on being out of debt in 5 years but then your bank offers you a line of credit? A line of credit may leave you with a low minimum monthly payment, but may take much longer than your estimate to pay off because it is like having one giant credit card.

    If you are using online financial calculators to try to come up with financial solutions because you are in debt, sometimes it makes sense to use them with the guidance of a financial professional/consultant.

    Hiring your own financial consultant can enable you to have a professional review your budget, credit and finances, and then work with you to use online financial calculators to build some viable debt consolidation scenarios. A financial consultant will likely have the resources to help you put your plan into motion.

    For more information about online financial calculators or if you need help dealing with your debt, please call DebtCare at 416-907-2582 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • Credit Card Debt Relief Scams – Buyer Beware

    If you are drowning in credit card debt then there is no doubt you have been thinking about how you can get credit card debt relief. Fortunately for you there are more companies than ever before advertising credit card debt relief services, but it is very important to do your due diligence when choosing one if you want to avoid credit card debt relief scams.

    Here are some things that you should ask yourself in order to find a legitimate company:

    1.       Does the company have a website?

    2.       Is the company listed with Industry Canada?

    3.       Does the company have a bricks and mortar retail location?

    4.       Have past clients of the company made positive reviews about them?

    5.       Do the company and its employees have a presence online on sites like LinkedIn?

    If you want to avoid credit card debt relief scams, ask a lot of questions:

    1.       Does the company charge an upfront fee? If they do, this is a not a good sign. The company should be able to present you with financial options and advise you of the cost to participate in them. Only upon selecting a program should you pay any fee to the company.

    2.       Is the company going to hold the money you pay to them monthly and then disperse the money at a later date? Beware of credit card debt relief companies that collect money from you monthly on the premise that once it has accumulated, they will use it to settle your debt. You don’t know what could happen with the company in the future and this is risky business.

    3.       What will the impact be to your credit? Let’s be realistic – if you are behind making payments or know you will be soon, your credit has likely already taken a hit – or you should expect it to. Any debt solution that involves reducing your debt or freezing the interest will have a negative impact to your credit. A financial program that involves reducing your debt will cause you to pay off your debt much sooner so it really is short term gain for long term pain. Our point here is that the company that offers you debt relief should be open about the implications that different programs will have on your credit and have the ability to guide you through the process of rebuilding your credit.

    4.       Ask the company to be clear about their solution. Many companies will promote debt consolidation but there are different types of debt consolidation. Debt consolidation involves consolidating debts into a single monthly payment. Many credit card debt relief options achieve this but each is different. For example:

    a.       If a bank gives you a debt consolidation loan your creditors will be paid off in full. Pros: You can preserve your credit and your relationships with your creditors. Cons: You will pay interest on the debt and it will take a long time to pay off. Also, you must have good credit for this option.

    b.      You could refinance your mortgage to consolidate your debt. Pros: You can preserve your credit and your relationships with your creditors. Cons: You will pay interest on the debt and you will be stretching the debt out over your mortgage amortization.

    c.       If you go to credit counselling they will allow you to make a single monthly payment to them. Pros: Monthly payments are low. Cons: Damages credit, damages relationships with creditors, takes a really long time to pay off.

    d.      A consumer proposal also involves making a single monthly payment. Pros: Debt can be reduced, single monthly payment, stops collection action, interest is frozen. Cons: Damage to credit.

    e.      A bankruptcy will also result in a consolidated single monthly payment. Pros: Debt can be reduced, single monthly payment, stops collection action, interest is frozen. Cons: Damage to credit, ongoing reporting obligation to trustee, if financial situation improves payments could be increased.

    When looking for a company that offers debt solutions remember that if you do your research and ask a lot of questions you should be able to find a debt solution while avoiding credit card debt relief scams.

    For more information about credit card debt relief or if you need help with a financial problem please call DebtCare at 1-888-890-0888 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • Finding Debt Relief from Holiday Credit Card Bills

    Credit cards are scary because they are easy to run up and then difficult to pay down. Did you know that last year it was reported that the average Canadian is carrying over $40,000 in unsecured debt? If you are one of these Canadians then you probably had credit card debt before you even started holiday shopping! Now the holiday shopping credit card bills are rolling in and you are likely thinking that you could really use some debt relief.

    Credit card debt presents the following challenges:

    1. Damage to your credit. Even if you are making your minimum payments credit cards can still damage your credit. Did you know that if you let your credit card balance get close to the limit, or if you go over the limit, it reduces your credit score? Yes, it is true, and not only does it reduce your credit score it also causes a message to appear on the credit report that indicates that the proportion of the credit card balances are too close to the credit limits.
    2. Minimum monthly payments are too small. Credit card companies set your minimum monthly payment at 1-3% of your balance. This is simply too small. If you make only minimum monthly payments on credit cards it can take many years to pay down the balance.
    3. Monthly compound interest. Unlike loans, credit card interest compounds monthly (12 times per year). This means that interest is added to your balance each month. When you combine the fact that your interest compounds monthly with the fact that your minimum monthly payment on your credit card is likely set at 1-3% of your balance, the effective cost to borrow using your credit card is significantly higher than the interest rate on your credit card.

    Credit card debt can quickly become overwhelming because once it accumulates it can become really difficult to pay off. Most people do not have the kind of cash flow needed to really get those credit card bills paid off.

    Getting debt relief from your holiday credit card bills can be achieved three ways:

    1. By paying off the debt by liquidating your savings, getting help from family or winning the lottery. Unfortunately this is an option that most folks don’t enjoy.
    2. By consolidating debt through:
      1. A loan with the bank – you will need good credit for this option.
      2. A mortgage refinance – you will need a home with equity for this option.
      3. By taking advantage of an alternate financial program.

    If you don’t have good credit or assets then an alternate financial program may be the best choice for you.  An alternate financial program will enable you to make a single monthly payment, as in a debt consolidation, and will stop the interest from accruing on your credit cards. Sounds like a great solution right? Well, really the right solution will depend on your personal financial circumstances. Before making any of the above choices your best bet is to speak with a financial consultant who is hired by you, one who can offer you unbiased financial advice so that you can get debt relief from your holiday credit card bills and start off the year on fresh financial footing.

    For more information about finding debt relief contact DebtCare at 416-907-2582 or visit www.debtcare.ca.

  • Getting Out of Debt in the New Year

    So the holidays are over and no doubt the holiday bills have started rolling in. It is easy to do serious financial damage during the holidays. Debt can take a mere couple of weeks to rack up, but can take months and even years to pay off. Getting out of debt in the New Year is on many families’ ‘to-do’ lists, but getting out of debt is easier said than done.

    Your ability to get out of debt in the New Year will greatly depend on your own personal circumstances. Let’s review some of your options.

    Getting out of debt the good old fashioned way. Getting out of debt the good old fashioned way will take resources because it will involve using your existing assets and cash flow to get out of debt. If you don’t have savings or investments that you can liquidate to pay down debt you will have to take a good hard look at your budget. Think of the time frame in which you would like to be debt free. If it is 24 months for example, then take your total debt, divide it by 24 months and then increase the monthly amount by 30% (to account for interest).  Do you have enough room in your budget to pay off the debt on a monthly basis?

    Getting out of debt through a debt consolidation. Getting out of debt through a debt consolidation is an option for homeowners who have home equity or for those with very good credit. Though traditional debt consolidation can be a good choice for getting out of debt – the debt consolidation interest rate, fees and terms will determine whether it is the best choice for getting out of debt.

    Getting out of debt through a financial program. If you don’t have assets or savings to pay off your debt and you don’t have room in your budget to get out of debt in a reasonable period of time, then an alternate financial program may be the best solution for you. Some financial programs involve freezing the interest on your debt and even reducing your debt. This can result in greatly reduced monthly payments, making the prospect of getting out of debt a reality for an individual who doesn’t have much to put towards getting out of debt.

    It’s a jungle out there and with so many companies promoting different things it can be hard to know what the best financial choice is. Making the wrong financial choices can cause you to pay more in the long run and can even harm your credit. So how do you know a financial friend from a financial foe? By trusting your instincts and doing lots of research. Do they have a website? Do they have a bricks and mortar location? Do they have people following them on social media? Have you heard of them before? If you are dealing with a debt company or mortgage brokerage, is the company’s management accessible to you?

    Doing your due diligence and then partnering with a financial service provider who can help you come up with a meaningful solution to deal with your debt will be your first step towards getting out of debt and enjoying financial freedom in 2013.

    For more information about getting out of debt in 2013 or if you need help with your 2013 financial planning please contact DebtCare at 416-907-2582 or visit www.debtcare.ca.