Save Money-Collection Agency

Collection Agency Bugging You?

Saving Money Tip -

* Don't let the Collection Agent Intimidate you - they are just people hired to try and collect money. They are not law enforcement.

* Know that you have rights even if you are the one that owes the money. No one has the right to harass you, demean you, and treat you like a 3rd class citizen.

* Know the following information and defend yourself.

A) Log all your calls, take the name of the person you are speaking with and make notes as to the outcome of the call --- try to quote and/or be detailed --- use the following log sheet to help you tract the calls - click (here)

B) The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that governs debt collectors for personal debts (Auto loans, home loans, medical bills, and credit card accounts). You are protected and can file a complaint.

What a Collection Agent Can't Do and what is considered HARASSMENT.

*Can't call you prior to 8am and after 9pm.

* Can't call you over and over again (repeatedly and/or continously). - After they contact you they need to send you a letter. (No need to hassel you.)

* Can't use vulgar and profane language and/or threaten or lie to you. (Document it)

* Can't indicate that they are going to file charges, garnish your wages, take property, or ruin your credit when they can not and do not intend to take action. (This has to go to court to happen and the judge determines the outcome not the agency). (Document it)

* Can't inform a 3rd party about your debt - so if they call your place of employment etc. and advised them of your situation, you can file a complaint. (Document it)

* They shouldn't contact you at work knowing that they employer does not approve.

*** For additional info - click (here)

Options to take if the collection agency is harassing you :

1) Document the conversation.

2) Tell them to stop.

3) File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (here)

4) Take the Collection Agency to court for harassing you .

5) You can also send a CEASE and DESIST LETTER - This letter is used to legally stop the collection agency from contacting you. If they contact you after you send it, you can file a complaint and they will be investigated. FOR INFO. & SAMPLE LETTER (here). For more information about this letter (Here)

Next Collection Topic will be ----- How to negotiate with the collection agency - coming soon!

Money Saving Tip! Renewing Service Contracts

Money Saving Tip - RENEWING SERVICE CONTRACTS

Whenever your contract (Cellphone, Cable, Internet, etc.) is due to expire try the following:

1) If you see any offer and/or promotion that is better than the one you have, call and ask for them to update your account to the new promotional rate. It should be as simple as that.

2)Call to see if they have any current promotions. Some providers may indicate they are running specials for introductory(new) customers only. If that offer is better than yours then insist on getting it and threaten to cancel the existing service. If that rep doesn't budge have them transfer you the the cancellation department - also know as retention in most company - that department's job is to retain you as a customer - you will be surprised what type of deal you can get (including but not limited to free merchandise, lower monthly rates, etc.)

3) If the company is not running any special - call and ask to cancel the account - again they should transfer you to a different department that will try and retain you as a customer.

*Most companies (especially with today's economy) will try and retain your services.

Save Money - Credit Report Tip!

*Did you know that your credit score can affect how much you pay for health insurance and car insurance by hundreds of dollars a year? It can also affect the interest rate you get on a house loan, car loan, even affect your opportunity for employment. It's unfortunate, but many companies judge you and what they will offer you based on your credit score (FICO) and credit history.
Some TIPS to try and help increase your credit score when your credit score is LOW
* Pray and ask God to give you wisdom and favor!
* Pull all three credit reports yearly - FCRA requires each reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months.
* Check to make certain everything listed belongs to you. - You'll be surprised what you find that was placed on your credit report in error. If you find something that's not yours DISPUTE it!
* Check the address listed on your report. Make sure they were your place of residences - Someone with a similar names address and/or info may have been placed on your history.
DISPUTE the address info and have them delete it.
* If you find something that is yours and you know you didn't pay a company or missed it - DISPUTE it also! * Companies have 30 days or so to submit a response - if they don't for what ever reason - it's taken off automatically. Keep in mind that many company go bankrupt and/or close and if they don't exsist, it's more than likely they will not respond. ( If they don't respond ---Walla! OFF IT GOES!)

Save Money Tip*

Whatever you owe - call the company/Collection agency and try to NEGOTIATE PAYMENT, (ask for a settlement amount that is less and/or a payment schedule that is easy for you). Don't ever be afraid to ask - go in with confidence and have a little faith that with time, you will be able to fix your credit history.

For helpful and more step-by-step direction please reference - http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre21.shtm

Money Saving Tip!

LATE FEES ON CREDIT CARDS

Money Saving Tip
- When you get a late fee (YuK!) - call your credit card company and ask to get it waived. Most credit card company have a (Can waive up to X fees) listed on accounts. Some companies have a lifetime limit and some generate the limit yearly. Most consumers don't bother calling thinking that there isn't anything that can be done. Save, Save, Save Money!

MONEY SAVING TIPS!

Save Money Tip - Never assume your insurance doesn't cover other options ---- call and ask! If they say NO --Nothing lost - If they say Yes-- SAVE,SAVE,SAVE!

* Submitted by: Florida
* Vision insurance - Save by asking ?s. I buy contacts for my kids every year and spend close to $235.00 a year out of pocket for 1 years supply of contacts (acavue toric- expensive!). This is after the rebates and my insurance contributing $85.00 towards contacts. After checking various Contact-online sites, I found out that with my rebates and insurance coverage - I can save over $100.00. Well, I called my vision company to see if the would still provide me the $85.00 coverage towards contact if I ordered online since the on-line store was not part of the network. Well, I was ecstatic to find out that they covered me in-or out of network the first $150.00 of coverage. All I had to do was submit the receipt and would get a refund for the amount!!!!!!!! Well, with my online order - rebates - coupon codes - Insurance coverage,
I saved over $100.00.

Money Saving Tips!

OPTIMIZE YOUR ON-LINE SAVINGS

1) Use a CASH BACK SITE
It pays you CASH to use their Site to shop other on-line sites.

* SAVE MONEY PICK*

ShopAtHome.com - provides 1-30% CASH BACK to over $2,000 online Stores.
-Coupons for free/shipping (Save on Gas)

2) Use EXTRA COUPON CODES
Use as many as the company allows - lots of online stores let you use multiple on-line Codes.

SAVE MONEY PICKS*

- On the Google Search (above) Type in the name of the store followed by coupon code and you should get all coupon codes related to that On-Line Store. ENTER AS MANY AS POSSIBLE ON YOUR ORDER - DON'T ASSUME THEY WON'T ACCEPT THEM.

3) Use a CASH REWARD CREDIT CARD
- Pay for your order with a credit card that pays up to 5% on your purchase and pay it within 30 day grace period!

SAVE MONEY PICKS*

- Use Chase Cash Reward - $50.CASH BACK on your first purchase
1-3% CASH BACK GET TRIPLE REWARDS, NO ANNUAL FEE

* SAVER'S Experience* $67.00 SAVINGS

* Use ShopAtHome - CASH BACK - $38.00

(Disney.com, KBtoys.com, 1-800-get Lens, Cheap-Tickets.)

* Google Searched Coupon Code - Save $25.00.

* Free Shipping on all orders - Saved Gas.

* Paid with CASH REWARD CREDIT CARD. ($4.00 Cash Back)

RECEIVED $25.00 OFF ORDER + $42.00 CASH BACK!

Money Saving Tip Suggestion

Money Saving Tips

* From Anonymous - CRUSTY FEET!
SAVED $250.00 year - PegEgg versed Pedicure!

* Instead of getting monthly pedicures because my feet hurt and the bottom needed smoothing badly, I optioned to try the PegEgg. I was skeptical at first (but outside of doing it myself) it's a great product. I take a few minutes to take care of my feet. It's quick, simple and not messy which I like most. It accumulates the dry skin in an egg and you open it and pour it right into the trash. Sometimes I go at it just to see how much dried up skin I can pile up. Disgusting but my feet feel and look great! With a little time, good cream and some self care, I saved over $250.00 a year!!!

* Amazon.com has the PegEgg for $5.32 - Use the search below to check it out