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  1. eHow
  2. Personal Finance
  3. Consumer Credit Card Debt
  4. Credit Card Company Collections

Credit Card Company Collections

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  • How to Make Collections Companies Remove Negatives if I Pay in Full

    As a preliminary matter, collection companies are under no legal or ethical obligation to remove negative marks from your credit if those negative marks are accurate. This is true regardless of whether you eventually pay off the debt owed. If, however, you pay the debt and the collection company continues to make negative reports, there's something you can do about it.

  • What Does It Mean When a Collection Company Refuses Your Payments?

    It might sound counterintuitive, but collection agencies frequently refuse payments. Debt collectors usually do this as a matter of company policy and to ensure that you pay the full amount with a method the agency accepts. Refusal to accept a payment does not absolve you of the liability to pay the debt, and the creditor usually cannot change the amount you owe.

  • Can You Collect Unemployment If You Voluntarily Took a Company Buyout?

    Employers who offer buyouts to their employees provide them with financial incentives to voluntarily sever their employment relationships. An employee who accepts a buyout may not be able to collect unemployment insurance benefits depending on state laws. If your employer offers you a company buyout package, you should consider the effects that accepting the package would have on collecting unemployment insurance benefits.

  • Can a Credit Card Collection Agency Take Me to Court?

    A collection agency acting on behalf of a credit card company to collect a delinquent debt may sue you if repeated attempts to recoup the debt fail. The consequences you face if the court decides in the agency's favor could cause you to lose some of your income, savings or property.

  • Can You Collect Unemployment If Your Company Is Putting You on Disability?

    If you are injured and unable to continue working, you may start to receive temporary or long-term unemployment benefits from your employer's insurance policies. When this happens, you may also wish to receive unemployment benefits from your state's unemployment office. It is possible to receive both at the same time, but it may be difficult to meet the requirements for both programs.

  • Can You Collect Unemployment If Your Company Restructures?

    Whether a company restructuring results in automation, downsizing or outsourcing, the result may be loss of jobs. If you have recently been the victim of a company restructuring and now find yourself out of work, you may be entitled to receive unemployment insurance benefits.

  • Can a Bill Collecting Company Issue a Summons?

    A summons is the notification of a lawsuit. In debt matters, a summons is a final attempt to force a debtor to pay an unpaid debt. Debt collection agencies can file lawsuits at any time, but usually it takes months or even more than a year before bill collectors resort to such extreme tactics. A bill collecting company is usually a debt collection agency. Creditors often sell or assign delinquent accounts to debt collectors. A debt collector initiates a summons by filing a lawsuit, but a civil court actually issues the summons. The court arranges for delivery by a courier…

  • What Does a High Receivable Turnover Ratio Mean?

    A high accounts receivable turnover ratio means that your business has a tight credit policy and is doing a fairly good job collecting on its accounts. A high ratio is positive as it means your company is able to collect cash more quickly for use in meeting company debt and expense obligations.

  • What Could Happen if I Get a Lawsuit From a Collection Company?

    Although collection companies typically prefer not to file lawsuits for unpaid debt since the process of filing and winning a lawsuit is cumbersome and expensive, a collector may resort to this option if it believes you will not pay a delinquent debt. Ignoring a collection company's letters and phone calls may increase your risk of being sued for an unpaid debt. If you are a defendant in a lawsuit initiated by a collection company, several consequences may result.

  • The Disadvantages of Selling Receivables

    Companies offer credit on their products for a number of reasons but primarily to increase sales. Those sales on account are called receivables. Sometimes companies attempt to sell their receivables. However, there are advantages and disadvantages to selling receivables.

  • How to Measure Asset Management Ratios

    Financial ratios indicate relationships between different financial statement items. Management can use these ratios to evaluate a company's performance over time or against industry averages. Asset management ratios measure a company's success in generating sales through prudent management of its assets, such as accounts receivable, inventory and fixed assets. The balance sheet summarizes a company's assets, while the income statement shows sales, expenses and profits.

  • Can Credit Card Companies Collect Debt From Family Members After Someone Dies?

    The family of a deceased relative may inherit objects, money and other assets after the deceased’s estate goes through probate, but those family members cannot inherit any debt. In most cases, a creditor cannot attempt to collect money from the family of a deceased person to satisfy an unpaid credit card debt.

  • What Goes Into Gross Receivables?

    The U.S. Revenue and Taxation Code, under Section 6012, defines gross receivables or gross receipts as the total amount of the sale or lease or rental price valued in money, whether received in money or otherwise. In other words, gross receivables are the aggregate of all income receipts, without making any exclusions or deductions. While net account receivables are used to more accurately estimate profit margins, the gross receivables are typically used to calculate insurance premiums. Net receivables, allowances for doubtful accounts (estimated uncollectibles) and actual uncollectibles together make up gross receivables.

  • How to Collect Unemployment During a Company Lockout

    In some cases, you can collect unemployment insurance benefits during a company lockout. Being locked out by an employer, such as during employment negotiations with your labor union, can be a very difficult time because no paychecks are coming in when you are not working each day. To continue providing for yourself and your family, you may need to apply for unemployment benefit insurance with your state. Once approved, you may be able to continue receiving coverage until the lockout is over.

  • What Is the Proper Way of Numbering a General Ledger System?

    The general ledger system is the center piece of the accounting system and the direct data source for compiling financial statements. A general ledger provides the list of accounts with their names and balances on which financial statements are based. Accounts in the general ledger system are properly numbered to ensure necessary referencing between the journal books and general ledger during the process of posting, an essential step in the accounting cycle of bookkeeping.

  • Penalties Regarding Nonpayment of Vermont State Taxes

    The Vermont Department of Taxes Agency of Administration enforces the state's income tax regulations. State taxes are due each year at the same time federal income taxes are due. For 2010 and 2011, Vermont residents must file tax returns if they were required to file federal taxes, earned at least $100 in Vermont income or earned over $1,000 in total gross income. The department is authorized to collect interest and late fees from residents who fail to file tax returns or fail to pay their income tax liabilities.

  • Can Taxes Be Seized in Nevada?

    The Nevada Department of Taxation is authorized to collect tax delinquencies from residents and nonresidents who owe income taxes or child support. The department can collect unpaid income taxes through tax intercepts or by filing liens against taxpayers' personal and real property. In addition to the state intercept programs for unpaid taxes and child support, Congress enacted the federal Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, implementing a nationwide effort to collect other debts besides state and federal income taxes.

  • Can a Credit Card Company Lien Late Mom's House?

    Credit card companies don't like it when you don't pay back your debts. In some situations, a credit card company may be able to file a lien against a home, though only if it meets specific requirements. The relationship between you, your late mother's creditors and any possessions she had depends on your particular circumstances, so talk to a lawyer in your area for legal advice about your specific situation.

  • How to Find Out Who You Owe So You Can File Bankruptcy on Your Own

    The purpose of filing bankruptcy is to discharge all of your debt. Individuals may file for bankruptcy without an attorney, and it is essential to gather all creditor information prior to filing your application. Some sources may not contain all your creditor information, so it is important to utilize several avenues to ensure you have all your debt information. If you omit any debts from your bankruptcy application, you may still be liable to pay those amounts in the future.

  • Can a Credit Card Company Put a Lien on My House If I Live in Texas?

    Debt collection laws for accounts that go into default vary from state to state with different laws applied to both secured and unsecured debt. Within the state of Texas you, the consumer or debtor, are largely protected from more extreme debt collection measures when dealing with credit card account issuers.

  • Can Credit Card Companies Put a Lien on My House in Arizona?

    Credit card debt can be a common issue for debtors, even those that have no trouble making other payments on their mortgages and auto loans. Credit card debt is revolving, so the liabilities continue from month to month and can build up over time. As they build, interest rates and late fees can accumulate, resulting in a cycle of debt that consumers struggle to recover from. Many may worry that if the credit card company takes legal action, they may lose their house. In Arizona, this may be a possibility according to state laws, but that does not mean it…

  • Can I Be Served for Nonpayment on Credit Cards in Texas?

    The use of a credit card can be a very convenient payment option for consumers; however, this convenience comes with the responsibility to pay for the charges incurred on the card. Credit card issuers have the right to seek payment of monies owed. If you live in Texas and have unpaid credit card bills, it's prudent to understand the legal ramifications associated with that outstanding debt.

  • Accounting Ledger Format

    An accounting ledger is a set of accounting books used for journal posting and often consists of all the financial statement accounts. Accounting ledger is known for having a T-account format in which an account name forms the horizontal line and any transaction information is placed on either side of the vertical line, depending on whether a transaction is a debit or credit. Information posted in the accounting ledger must be referenced back to the general journal that initially records all the business transactions.

  • How to Sell a Postcard Collection

    Postcards are a thoughtful way to send others mementos from your travels domestically and abroad. Postcards, over time, become antique collectibles as they go out of print and are thrown away. The dwindling numbers of a particular postcard, combined with its age, condition and art work, serve to increase its value in the collectible market. Research your postcards thoroughly, group similar items and set a fair price for the marketplace.

  • Can a Credit Card Company Levy a Lien Against Your Home?

    Refusing to pay credit card debt can open you up to consequences like wage garnishment and credit score damage. In some cases, it could even result in a lien on your property. When this happens, you must repay the debt to have the lien removed. Otherwise, you will have to pay the creditor before you sell the property.

  • Can a Bank Deduct Late Payments From My Savings Account?

    Your bank has a way to make you pay your debt without going through the courts: the right of offset. Because of the potential for abuse, the federal government places heavy restrictions on a bank taking funds from your account to pay a debt. Even if a bank can take funds from your savings account, it will probably try every possible avenue to get you to pay voluntarily.

  • Foreclosure and Validity of Debt

    Mortgage foreclosure is a legal process that often terminates in the loss of a home. If a homeowner has defaulted on his mortgage, the lender may hire a debt collections agency to try to recoup the delinquent payments. The homeowner has the right to obtain written documentation from the collections agency that explains the nature of the debt.

  • How to Sell Postcard Collections

    Collecting old postcards can be an interesting hobby, but it can be difficult to know the value of the postcards in your collection. Some vintage postcards are worth hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars, while others are barely worth more than the stamp needed to mail them. If you have an old postcard collection to sell, you need to assess the potential value of each card in your collection; then determine the best way to turn those old postcards into cash.

  • Can Employers Find Out How Much You Owe on Credit Cards?

    Many employers use background checks to screen potential employees or to check up on employees before offering a promotion. One component of a background check provides the employer with a copy of the employee's credit report, which lists how much the employee owes on credit cards.

  • Do's and Don'ts for Interviewing Techniques & Speaking Habits

    Interviews and other events when your speaking skills are under scrutiny can make you nervous. You can be well prepared, but if your speaking habits let you down, you may find the interviewer isn't really listening to what you have to say. Practice a few simple techniques to ensure your message gets across.

  • Can a Company Put a Lien on Your Property?

    Property can be subject to many different laws regarding its value and what homeowners can do with it. Many owners of property use that property's value in order to borrow money, or change the intrinsic value of the property in some way. When this occurs, it opens the door for a variety of legal outcomes. Ideally, all parties involved will be compensated correctly and there will be no longer-term effects. In the worst cases, the actions of the property owner can lead to liens from a variety of companies.

  • Credit Collection Strategy

    Credit card providers and banks profit by extending lines of credit to consumers that each individual must repay with interest. Unfortunately, if a borrower practices poor debt management skills, he may find himself unable to pay off his debt. Creditors' strategies for collecting delinquent balances often differ, but all companies must follow federal collection laws when recovering unpaid lines of credit.

  • Rules to Put a Lien on a House by a Credit Card Company

    If you don't pay your credit card bills, your credit card company may be able to put a lien on your house. However, the credit card company would have to follow certain procedures and rules to do so. Before your credit card company can put a lien on your property, it has to first go to court to obtain a judgment.

  • Charity Checklist

    Whatever the reason for making charitable donations, certain precautions protect against fraud and allow for legitimate income tax deductions. It's important to know the specifics of the charity, and what steps are needed in order to properly claim the donation with the IRS. While generosity is the point, it doesn't hurt to choose donation methods that give the best tax benefits.

  • Can Credit Card Companies File a Lien Over Your Car & House?

    Upon requesting a credit card, you agree to repay the debt in full. Failure to repay the debt allows the creditor to pursue legal actions to recoup the money lost. One option to recover the debt is to file a lien over the debtors property. For the creditor to file a lien, it must first be granted a judgment against the debtor.

  • Laws on Nonpayment of Credit Cards

    When you accept a credit card and charge goods or services to the account, you have agreed to repay the debts incurred. But sometimes even well-intentioned people cannot pay their credit card bills on time. The potential financial consequences depend upon a number of factors including the amount of your debt, the credit card company itself and your state of residence.

  • Do Medical Collections Go on Your Credit Report?

    Even if you have insurance, you may have medical bills turned over to a collection agency, and that blemishes your credit rating. Insurers may not pay part or all of your bill because of errors or limited coverage, and you might not be aware of it until you get dunning notices from a debt collector, Bankrate writer Jay MacDonald warns. If the bill is turned over to a collection agency, the account probably will be added to your credit reports.

  • Foreclosure Due to Nonpayment of Taxes

    Even if you pay your mortgage faithfully, you can still lose your house to foreclosure. The IRS has the authority to foreclose if you put off paying your income taxes; local governments can do it if you don't pay your property taxes. If you're struggling to pay your mortgage, skimping on tax payments to save money is not a good solution.

  • Liability for Parents' Debt After They Are Gone?

    Relatives, including adult children, are not liable for a deceased person's debt after they pass away. Even if there is an inheritance left to children, the children are not normally required to pay off any remaining debts their parents held. There are exceptions to every rule of course, and laws vary from one state and situation to another. Generally however, the parents' estate pays off any outstanding debts before an inheritance is distributed.

  • What Usually Happens at a Credit Card Collection Trial?

    If you default on your credit card, your creditor may sue you to collect the balance you owe. If you receive a court summons, contact an attorney as well as showing up on your court date. If you do not come to court on the appointed date, the judge will automatically find in favor of your creditor. If you appear in court, you may be able to settle your case out of court or convince a judge that you do not owe the debt.

  • Do's & Don'ts About Buying a New Car

    Buying a new car can be confusing, and not understanding the entire purchase process can be costly. For many people, a car is a requirement to get to and from a job. Unless you live in a metropolitan area with a public transportation system, you need a vehicle. Educating yourself about what you should and should not do when purchasing a new car may save you from paying too much or making a poor decision.

  • What Happens If You Pay Off a Credit Card in Collections?

    As a general rule, credit card companies are not patient when it comes to recovering delinquent balances. After approximately six months, you can expect your credit card company to charge off your credit card debt, close the account, and either transfer the debt the company's in-house collection agency or sell it to a third-party debt collector. Paying off a credit card in collections helps you avoid facing legal action from the credit card company or collection agency.

  • Strategies for Fighting Foreclosure

    Homeowners fall into foreclosure for a variety of reasons. However, a notice of foreclosure does not mean you automatically lose your home. There are many resources available to help you save your home and avoid foreclosure. Choose the method that is best for you based on your long-term goals.

  • How to Find Out What Accounts of Mine Are in Collections

    If you owe any unpaid bills, whether it be loans, credit cards, medical debt or unpaid services or products, you most likely have some collection accounts. You may receive continuous phone calls and letters from collection agencies until you pay or settle the debt. Find out the collections you have against you now so that you can prevent harassment from these companies.

  • How to Find Out If I Have Collections Out for Me

    If you have an account in collections, your credit could be severely damaged if you do not address the issue with the collection agency. You should always keep track of all credit card and loan accounts to make sure you have been making all necessary payments. If you are behind on your payments and you have not been in contact with the appropriate company, you will need to find out if your account has been sent to a collection agency.

  • Homes Seized for Not Paying Property Taxes

    One way your local government pays for public services is by charging property tax to owners of real estate. Failure to pay property taxes can eventually result in the loss of the property. Some states place a lien against the unpaid taxes, while others states sell the property to recoup unpaid taxes. In both tax lien states and tax deed states, it is possible to lose your home if you fail to pay property tax.

  • Can Property Be Seized for Nonpayment of Property Taxes?

    All states assess property taxes against commercial and residential real estate. Some mortgage lenders may include the property taxes in home mortgage loans and place them in an escrow account thereby submitting the payments for property taxes to the county or local tax collector. Otherwise, the mortgage borrowers must pay the property taxes directly to the county tax collector.

  • How to Find a Trustworthy Charity

    Whether you'd like to donate to a charitable organization out of the goodness of your heart or because you need an income tax deduction (or a little bit of both), you want to make sure you choose a trustworthy one. You want one where you can be sure that your money will actually get where it's supposed to be going. It isn't always easy to do this, however, as there are always scam artists out there trying to make a quick buck off of other people's good intentions. Take some steps to make sure that your next charitable contribution goes…

  • Why Is a Collections Not on My Credit Report?

    When you keep receiving calls about an account in collections, you probably assume that the credit bureaus know about it and put it on your file. Sometimes the credit bureaus do not list a collections -- a great benefit to your credit score. Usually, this occurs because of a bureau slip up and you should take this as an unexpected gift.

  • California Law for Nonpayment on a Credit Card

    When credit card debt goes unpaid, it can have dire repercussions for the user. The company may sue to get the funds back or hire a collection agency to harass the user about payments. In California, strict laws govern the handling of credit card debt, in order to ensure fair practices on both sides. The intent is to provide the card company with reasonable means of securing payments, while ensuring that the cardholder doesn't suffer excessive harassment in the process.

  • Can You Consolidate Debt After it Has Gone to Collections?

    When debt becomes delinquent and a new payment agreement cannot be reached, it goes to collections. The sole purpose of a collection department or agency is to collect on outstanding debt. Debt consolidation involves taking out a new loan to pay multiple debts, leaving you with one monthly payment. Ideally, consolidation involves a loan with a lower interest rate than you are currently paying.

  • Can Credit Card Companies Put a Lien on Your House?

    When your credit card bills are going unpaid, you have to face some difficult financial decisions. If your credit card debts climb and they continue to go unpaid, creditors take steps to collect the money, and eventually you could risk losing your house. A lien is a legal way to secure a portion of your home's value against the payment of a debt. While a credit card company can't do this directly, it can take actions that could lead to having a lien placed on your house.

  • Do's & Don'ts of Foreclosures

    Foreclosure investing is similar to bargain hunting in a thrift shop. Finding a commodity in pristine condition at a low price is ideal. You may review lists and lists of foreclosure inventory before finding a viable option. No matter whether you plan to flip the property or rent it out, there are rules you should follow when purchasing a foreclosed home.

  • Can Credit Card Companies Put a Lien on My Property?

    If you've run into trouble paying your credit cards on time, you could end up with a judgment against you in civil court. Once that judgment occurs, your credit card company could get an order that places a lien against your property. Whether the creditor can place a property lien primarily depends upon which state you live in.

  • Do Collections Go on My Credit Report

    Collection agency accounts are extremely harmful to your credit score, according to the MyFICO scoring website, because they are part of your payment history, which makes up 35 percent of the score total. Collection agencies report to the TransUnion, Equifax and Experian credit bureaus, so lenders and others who review your credit reports know you are being pursed by debt collectors.

  • Credit Card Collections Process

    Credit cards, like money itself, can be a useful tool and a terrible master. If, like many Americans, you run up your credit card debt during good times, you may find yourself unable to pay during the bad. This ultimately results in a collections process. Although different issuing banks have different specific procedures, nearly all follow the same basic steps.

  • Can a Credit Card Company Place a Lien in Texas?

    If you fail to pay back credit card debt, your creditor can file suit against you in a court of law. Texas is one of a few states that prohibits creditors from seeking wage garnishment as a way to enforce a judgment. However, a creditor can plain a lien against your nonexempt property, as defined by Texas statute.

  • Can a Bank Put on Hold a Savings Bank Account for Nonpayment of Credit Card Payments?

    Federal law prohibits your bank from using funds in your savings account to offset a balance owed on your credit card. Therefore, if you fail to make a payment, your bank cannot deny you access to funds in your deposit account. However, if a credit card company files a court action against you related to an unpaid balance, the judge may allow that company to freeze your account before garnisheeing it to settle the debt.

  • The Penalty for Nonpayment of Taxes

    One issue that almost everyone has to deal with is filing and paying taxes. When you fail to pay your taxes in a timely manner, the Internal Revenue Service can impose a penalty on you for this. This penalty adds to the total amount of money that you have to pay to the IRS and gives you an incentive to file and pay on time.

  • Can a Credit Card Sue You for Nonpayment?

    Credit card companies can and do sue for nonpayment. State and federal laws determine possible compensation, time frames and a creditor's right to sue. Some income and assets are exempt from garnishment, liens or levies. Additionally, creditors consider amounts owed and your financial situation prior to filing a claim. The size of the debt and your ability to pay helps creditors decide whether a lawsuit is worth the effort and cost.

  • Nonpayment of a Credit Card: What Can They Do?

    If you fail to pay off a credit card by the date set, you face a number of possible repercussions. A debt drawn from a line of credit, as with any other debt, is legally enforceable. This therefore entitles credit card companies to engage in a number of actions designed to collect payment. Credit card companies may choose from a variety of methods, the most serious of which is filing a lawsuit against you.

  • Dos and Don'ts About Refinancing

    Mortgage rates periodically drop to record lows, which prompts many homeowners to refinance their home loans. A refinance makes sense if you want a better interest rate or a lower monthly payment on your mortgage. But at the same time, there are situations that do not call for a refinance. Before completing an application, consider the dos and don'ts of a mortgage refinance.

  • Job Hunting Dos & Don'ts

    If you want to find a new job, you need to have a positive outlook and a clear plan of action. When you are job hunting it's also helpful to know a few of the key dos and don'ts. This information could increase your chances of success.

  • If You Owe on Credit Cards, Can They Put a Lien on Your Home?

    With U.S. consumers owing billions of dollars in credit card debt, questions of consequences for nonpayment have jumped to the forefront in many American households. This is especially so as wage earners see their jobs disappear or their pay shrinks. Although credit card debt is unsecured -- not attached to a hard asset -- creditors can ultimately get a lien on your house if you default on your cardholder agreements.

  • Credit Card Collection Procedures

    Credit card companies don't like to waste time when it comes to collecting past due bills. If you miss a credit card payment, expect to hear from your credit card company within a few days. After a 30 day delinquency, credit card companies will step up their efforts, and your credit will suffer for it.

  • Can Credit Card Companies Put a Lien Against Your Home?

    Credit card companies have a number of different ways of collecting money owed to them by account holders. Initially, a credit card company will assess punitive fees and rates of interest. However, if the debt is still not paid, companies will often escalate to more severe tactics, such as seeking a civil judgment against the debtor and then attempting to either freeze their bank account or garnish their wages. They cannot, however, place property liens, without first receiving a civil judgment.

  • What Happens in a Nonpayment of a Credit Card?

    If debt overwhelms you, it may be tempting to simply stop paying your credit cards. In general, this is not the best idea. There are numerous other options, like negotiating lower payments with the company or talking to a debt management counselor. When you miss your first payment deadline, a specific chain of events is triggered. Timelines vary widely from company to company, but the actions they take are the same.

  • Can a Credit Card Put a Lien on My Disability?

    Both credit card companies and consumers have legal rights in the debt collection process. The credit card company can pursue legal options to recover unpaid debt, and a consumer can use the statute of limitations on debt to prevent legal actions. Certain funds, such as disability income, are often exempt from garnishment.

  • The Penalties for the Nonpayment of Credit Cards

    When faced with financial problems, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) notes that Americans typically pay off secured debts, such as mortgages and auto loans, before making payments to their credit card providers. Regardless of your financial circumstances, paying your minimum credit card payment--or more, if possible--each month protects you from the consequences that follow nonpayment.

  • How Soon Is a Bank Account Frozen After Nonpayment of a Credit Card?

    When a person fails to pay off his credit card on time, the credit card company may take a number of actions to receive payment of the outstanding debt. If the person refuses to pay for a long enough period, the company may attempt to take money out of a person's bank account. This process is expensive and time-consuming and is used by credit card companies relatively infrequently. If this tactic is used, the time between nonpayment and freezing varies significantly.

  • 8 Dos & Don'ts for Fighting a Foreclosure

    You may be able to prevent the foreclosure of your home if you act quickly and don't fall prey to common scams and misconceptions about your options. Foreclosure is the legal method lenders use to enforce payment of an overdue mortgage loan. The foreclosure of your mortgage results in your home being auctioned off at a public sale, and the successful bidder or your lender becomes the new owner.

  • How to Find out If I Owe a GTE Telephone Bill

    If you had an unpaid telephone bill with GTE in June 2000, when Bell Atlantic and GTE merged together to form Verizon Communications, there are ways to find out if your bill was transferred to Verizon. Before the merger, GTE was considered to be the largest independent phone company in America.

  • Collections and Credit Rating

    Your credit rating encompasses the information on your credit reports and your credit score as calculated by FICO and the Equifax, TransUnion and Experian reporting agencies. Many credt-related factors influence your rating, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco explains. You look bad to creditors when you stop paying your accounts and they get turned over to collection agencies.

  • When Will a Credit Card Turn Me in to Collections?

    Credit cards offer consumers the ability to purchase items in stores and online and make full or partial payments when the bills arrive. However, 3.62 percent of card holders were unable to make timely payments on their accounts in the second quarter of 2010, according to the American Bankers Association. You run the risk of hearing from a collector if you fall within that percentage.

  • How to Record a Property Settlement Statement in a General Ledger

    Anytime a financial transaction occurs, it's a good idea to keep a record of it. In particular, a property sale or settlement requires taking very specific notes on cash exchanging hands. Without keeping track of these expenditures and credits, it will be much more difficult to keep a handle on your finances and determine final overall costs. Luckily a general ledger is easy to use and will help immensely with this. You don't need a big fancy one; a small notebook in your pocket will work just fine, or a larger notebook on your desk.

  • Laws About Collection Companies

    In the interest of protecting the American public from unfair collection practices, the federal government requires all debt collection companies to adhere to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The FDCPA is a specific set of laws geared solely toward regulating debt recovery methods. In addition to the FDCPA, certain states have their own specific legal guidelines debt collectors must follow when conducting collection activity.

  • How to Find a Children's Charity

    There are many ways to give back if you find you have some extra money each month. One way is to donate to a charity. There are a number of children's charities available for you to donate to, and while it may be difficult, search through them to find those that touch you the most.

  • How to Dispute a Debt Claim

    If you have a received a debt collection notice from a collection agency for debt that is not yours or that you do not recognize, you do not have to just pay the debt. In fact, you are legally allowed to dispute the debt under the terms of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. You must dispute the debt in writing; the FDCPA gives you 30 days from receipt of the collection notice to dispute the debt with the collection agency or it is considered a valid debt.

  • Will My Credit Score Increase if I Pay a Collection?

    Your credit score ranges from 350 to 850 and helps lenders and creditors alike determine how likely you are to pay off your debts on time. The higher your credit score is, the lower interest rates you can qualify for, saving you money on your credit card bills and loan payments.

  • Canadian Debt Recovery

    Debt recovery refers to collecting debts from individuals or businesses. In Canada debt recovery regulation is established by provinces or territories. Collection agencies have legal status and are hired by service-provider companies to collect on their behalf.

  • Credit Collections Process

    When a debtor owes a large sum of money to a creditor, the creditor may attempt to compel the debtor to pay by initiating a collections process. While the creditor has likely so far attempted to encourage payment of the debt by assessing fees or additional interest, when he initiates the collections process, he uses several new tactics.

  • Can Credit Card Companies Attach a Lien on a Private Home?

    Having a lien placed on your house is often a good thing. Taking out a mortgage gives your lender a lien -- a claim -- on your house to use as security for the loan. If a lien is imposed on your house for back taxes, an unpaid contractor's bill or for a delinquent credit-card debt, that's not such a good deal for you, but it can happen.

  • Dos & Don'ts of Credit & Collections

    When a consumer does not pay off a credit card or other loan on time, the lender will attempt to collect the debt. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act establishes rules which regulate how a collector can attempt to collect the debt. This act also establishes penalties if a debt collector violates these rules.

  • Can Credit Card Collections Attach a Lien to My Mortgage?

    Credit card companies typically write off old debts as uncollectable and transfer the outstanding balance the debtor owes to a collection agency. Once the collection agency purchases the debt, it becomes the legal creditor and enjoys the same privileges that the original creditor had--including pursuing a real estate lien for payment.

  • Can Credit Card Companies Be Told to Stop Calling for a Collection?

    Once a credit card company sends your unpaid account to its collection department, you can expect a series of unpleasant phone calls demanding payment. Unfortunately, federal consumer protection laws regarding debt collection harassment don't apply to original creditors, such as credit card companies.

  • How Long Are Unpaid Credit Cards Collectable?

    A credit card company or collection agency can collect an unpaid credit card debt at any time if the debtor makes a payment voluntarily. A creditor has a limited amount of time, however, during which it may legally force the individual to satisfy the unpaid debt.

  • Credit Card Collection Strategy

    Defaulting on a credit card bill will result in the company sending your account to collections. Most credit card providers try to collect delinquent debts for 180 days before selling the accounts to collection agencies. Whether a credit card company or collection agency owns your debt, however, the collection strategy is remarkably similar.

  • How to Get Paid to Recycle Plastic

    While the blue recycling containers accept only specific types of plastic, you can get paid to recycle any kind of plastic through specialized plastic recycling companies, such as Recycle In America. You also help the environment by recycling your plastics. According to Earth 911, for every ton of plastic recycled, 7.4 cubic yards of space is freed at landfills. Earth 911 adds that only 27 percent of plastic bottles are recycled in the U.S.

  • Do Collections Ruin Your Credit?

    Collection agencies are third-party businesses that attempt to collect outstanding debts due to a creditor. Collection agencies can report that debt to credit bureaus if they have purchased the debt from your original creditor. When you are first faced with a collection letter, exercise your right to dispute the debt or request further information verifying that the debt is valid within 30 days of receiving the letter.

  • Credit & Collections Procedures

    In today's difficult economic climate, many people are struggling under the weight of a massive amount of credit card debt. Dealing with this debt can sometimes seem impossible, especially once collections agencies begin to call. Understanding the procedures these agencies are bound to can help you to better navigate through the collections process.

  • What Happens When Credit Card Companies Turn You Over to Collections?

    A credit card company might be patient with consumers who miss one payment, but after numerous missed payments and failed collection attempts, the credit card company will turn unpaid accounts over to collections. Professional debt collectors will then use a variety of tactics to secure payment for the defaulted credit card debt.

  • Nonpayment on Credit Card & Collection Payment Problems

    When you run into a default situation with credit card companies, they have a variety of options in trying to get your money. Frequently, this debt is sold to credit collection companies, and their methods of getting your payment run the gamut from persistent phone calls and letters to legal action. You may be evading these collection agencies, but once you reconnect, you can run into a variety of collection payment problems.

  • Credit Collections & Your Rights

    Millions of Americans face financial situations in life where they have difficulty paying debt. When you are unable to pay all of your debt, it is important to know your rights as a consumer. Many debt collection companies have resorted to using uncouth methods to try to get you to make a payment. It is important you know the general rules of credit collections and your rights as a consumer

  • How to Dispute the Validity of a Debt

    If you are getting notices in the mail or phone calls about debt that you do not recognize, you can do something about it. It is possible for a collection agency or creditor to mix up people who have similar names and send debt collection notices to the wrong person. If this is happening to you, you can dispute the validity of such debt claims. You can dispute the validity of a debt on your own, but it can take a little time to get it all resolved.

  • How to Make a Credit Card Current With Collections

    For one reason or another, your credit card account is now seriously past due and placed with a collection agency. You may have lost your job or had a health problem. But unfortunately, the credit reporting system does not take into account collections due to unavoidable circumstances. You can choose to make your credit card current with collections. However, it is important to remember even paying your late account in full will not automatically remove it from your credit reports.

  • What to Do When My Credit Cards Have Gone to Collections?

    Collection agencies can be a challenging organization to work with when they have received your credit card debt. Careful understanding of the laws in place to protect you will allow you to effortlessly resolve any matters when the collection agency receives your credit card debt.

  • Can I Find Out How Much I Owe a Credit Card That Has Gone Into Collections?

    Collection agencies are required to disclose the amount owed on a credit card account when asked. Another way to determine the amount owed on a credit card that has gone to collections is by ordering a copy of your credit report. If a creditor has not reported the debt to the credit bureaus, you'll have to refer to your own records or contact the lender for more information regarding the balance of your debt.

  • How to Delete Collection Companies from Your Credit Report

    Discharging entries from collection agencies on a credit report can be irritating. Some collection agencies may be slow in reporting to a credit agency on the status of their loans. Particularly unscrupulous companies may attempt to avoid upholding their agreements, sometimes demanding further payment to expunge an entry on a credit report. Keep accurate records of all dealings with collection agencies and educate yourself on your rights to protect yourself against such fraudulent behavior.

  • How to Calculate a Check Sum

    A check sum gives you a sum for checking deposits or withdrawals during a period. Checkbook balances stay accurate when you have made no oversights and no errors in account deposits and withdrawals. Regular check sum calculations enable you to verify that your register entries are complete and accurate.

  • What Happens When Credit Cards Go to Collection?

    Cash flow has always been a problem that producers, merchants and consumers resolve by trusting the other party to honor a debt. Where the charge plates of an earlier era allowed a consumer to use credit to buy at a specific retailer or producer with a promise to pay within a certain period of time, "revolving-credit," introduced by general-use "bank" cards, allowed consumers to buy anywhere and make partial payments over time. The practice of buying while paying on old balances led to the largest expansion of consumer buying in history---and to new urgency in collecting debts. Where "in-house" charge…

  • How Does a General Ledger Account Work?

    A general ledger consists of the collected works of the company's accounts that is generally arranged in a double entry format labeled as debits on the left side and credits on the right side for every transaction. Although, the general journal is organized in a way as a sequential record of business transactions, the ledger is actually organized and set up according to accounts. The accounts of the general ledger often take the form of simple two-column T-accounts. Sometimes, the general ledger of a company's official records may include a third or fourth column as well to display the running…

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