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Credit Clinic
- Credit Clinic Director Rashmi Rangan 302-654-5024 x 100 or 877-825-0750 x 101
- One page brochure about our Credit Clinic
- Detailed Consumer Finance Education Plan
- Information for those who are seeking:
- Credit counseling and considering Bankruptcy http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/ccde/cc_approved.htm
- FREE Credit Report http://www.annualcreditreport.com
- FREE Credit Score http://www.creditkarma.com
- Identity Theft http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
- Credit counseling and considering Bankruptcy http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/ccde/cc_approved.htm
- Credit Clinic forms include the following:
- Information you should absolutely know:
- Information about our upcoming Money Matters! Classes http://www.delawaremoneyschool.com
- Resources:
- Debt Reduction Planner
http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/debtplanner/debtplanner.jsp
- Delaware Help Line 211
- Small Business Administration 302-573-6294
- Energy Assistance 302-674-1782
- Debt Reduction Planner
FAQs
- Budget--text to come
- Banking--txt to come
- Consumer Loans--text to come
- Credit Card Act--text to come
CREDIT
IMPORTANT WEBSITES AND CONTACTS
- Credit Score: www.creditkarma.com
- Credit Report: www.annualcreditreport.com 1-877-322-8228
- Debt Planner:http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/debtplanner/debtplanner.jsp
- Employment Background Check/ Homeowners and Auto Insurance Claims at: www.choicetrust.com 1-866-312-8076
- MIB-Consumer’s Medical Condition at http://www.mib.com/html/request_your_record.html or 1-866-692-6901
- Unlawful Detainer Registry (Residential/tenant history) at www.choicetrust.com or 1-877-448-5732
- ChexSystems at www.consumerdebit.com 1-800-428-9623
- Fraud: Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ 1-877-ID-THEFT
- National Do not Call Registry: https://www.donotcall.gov/
- Consumer Credit Counseling Agency: CCCS Delaware: 800-642-2227
- Delaware State CourtConnect: http://courtconnect.courts.delaware.gov/public/ck_public_qry_main.cp_main_idx
- Attorney General Office ID Theft Passport: http://attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/consumers/protection/brochure/idtheftapplication.pdf
- Attorney General Office Consumer Protection Unit: consumer.protection@state.de.us
The seven year rule
Q. Can a debt collector collect a debt that has remained unpaid for more than 7 years?
A. Yes, so long as the statute of limitations has not run out. Contact a private attorney or the Legal Services Corporation 302-575-0408 to see if you income qualify for their services for Delaware’s statute of limitations on debt collections.
Q. The seven-year statute applies to which debts?A. The following negative history should not be in your credit report after seven years have passed:
- Paid tax liens;
- Accounts placed for collection or written off as a bad debt;
- Any other unfavorable information more than seven years old.
Ten year rule applies to:
- Bankruptcies;
Special rule for lawsuits and judgments:
- Lawsuits and judgments will be removed from your credit report after seven years or until the statute of limitations has expired, whichever is longer;
- From the date when you first missed your regular payment on the debt. The Seven Year Period: Congress intended to establish a date certain – 180 days after the start of the delinquency that led to charge off to begin the obsolescence period. Effective Date: 455 days after the date of enactment of Consumer Credit Reform Act of 1996 or December 29, 1997.
A. No. Re-aging means that the collector reports the debt as becoming delinquent on the date it acquires the debt.
Q. If the debt collector re-aged my account, what do I do?A. DISPUTE with the credit bureaus AND debt collectors. Ask for validation.
Q. What if I don’t remember what this old collection account is all about?A. Ask for validation. In other words, ask (in writing) the collection agency to prove that it owns this debt.
Sample letter regarding removing your seven-year delinquent debtName:___________________
Address: _________________
Telephone: _______________
Date:_________________
To:
Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc., PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374
OR/AND
TransUnion LLC, PO Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022
OR/AND
Experian, PO Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013
RE: My Social Security Number: ______________________
Dear Sir/Madam:
I am writing to have the following information removed from my credit report. Upon updating my credit file, please forward me my complete, fair, and accurate credit report. Please send me the names, business addresses, and day time telephone number of each individual with whom you verified these accounts so that I may follow-up with them.
I have attached a copy of my credit report and have circled each such information. Against each such information I have made a notation (ex. Item #1, Item # 2, etc.) for your reference.
Item #: 1
- Original Creditor: _________ (name)
- Original delinquency: _____________ (date)
As you can see, the delinquency is seven years old. This item is old and obsolete under 15 U.S.C. Section 1681c. Please remove it from my credit report.
Item # 2
- Reported debt collector: ____________ (name)
- Reported delinquency: ______________ (date)
The debt collector is attempting to collect the debt that is referenced in Item # 1. old and obsolete under 15 U.S.C. Section 1681c
Sincerely,
Enclosures: List all items you are enclosing
Q. How do I build good credit?
A. Pay all bills on time and use only about 30% of available credit.
Q. How do I get my free credit report annually?
A. Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Reporting Act go to www.annualcreditreport.com
Q. How can I get my free credit score?Q. What is a FICO score?
A. The FICO Score (300-850) is created by Fair, Isaac and company to determine your credit risk.
Q. How is my Credit Score compiled?
A. 35% on your payment history, 30% on amount already owed, 15% on length of credit history, 10% on new credit, 10% on type of credit.
A. Yes. If you cannot pay the bill in full, please pay at least pay more than the minimum. Don’t pay just the minimum. Read your bill carefully. It tells you what happens if you pay the minimum.
Q. Where can I get some help with debt reduction planning?
A. Visit http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/debtplanner/debtplanner.jsp for help with planning.
Q. How do I reach my Credit Bureaus?
A. Experian 888-397-3742,
Equifax 800-685-1111,
Trans Union 800-916-8800
Q. What reports should I order annually?
A. Credit Reports annually at www.annualcreditreport.com or 1-877-322-8228,
Employment Background Check/ Homeowners and Auto Insurance Claims at www.choicetrust.com 1-866-312-8076,
MIB-Consumer’s Medical Condition at http://www.mib.com/html/request_your_record.html 1-866-692-6901
Unlawful Detainer Registry (Residential/tenant history) at www.choicetrust.com or 1-877-448-5732,
ChexSystems at www.consumerdebit.com or 1-800-428-9623
Q. How long does bad credit remain on my credit account?
A.
Civil Judgment –7 years
Unpaid tax liens - Indefinite
Other derogatory- 7 years old
Paid tax liens—7 years from date paid
Chapter 7, 11- 10 years
Chapter 13, 10 years
Chapter 13 dismissal/discharges – 7 years
Bankruptcies voluntarily dismissed -7 years
A. If you are plying for Credit over $150,000, Insurance over $150,000, Job more than $75,000/year
Q. How do I correct errors on my credit report?
A.
Write + Send documentation—duplicates not originals
If bureau made mistake, it must
Correct it,
Notify all other credit bureaus,
Notify those who looked at credit report in past 6 months—REQUEST IT
Bureau has 30 days to reply and send corrected credit report
Q. If I am a victim of Identity Theft, what should I do?
A.
File a police report with the Financial Crimes Unit.
Contact the fraud departments and have a fraud alert placed on your credit file:
· Equifax 1-800-525-6285
· Experian 1-888-397-3742
· TransUnion 1-800-680-7289
Order Credit Reports:
· Equifax 1-800-685-1111
· Experian 1-888-397-3742
· TransUnion 1-800-916-8800
Open new accounts etc. Insist on password only access to your account.
Contact/Inform the following in Delaware:
· SSA 1-800-772-1213
· FTC 1-877-ID-THEFT
· IRS 1-877-777-4778
· DE DMV 1-302-434-3200
Q. Can you tell me the different consumer bankruptcies available to me?
A.
Chapter 7 -> liquidation--No debts to repay
Chapter 13 -> reorganization--Sort of debt consolidation, Keep assets
Q. What is the Equal Credit Opportunity Act?
A.
It is non-discriminatory law that prohibits discrimination in lending on the basis of
Race, gender, marital status, age (no loans to under 18 unless an emancipated adult), national origin, religion, source of income, prior exercise of consumer protection rights.
The law also requires a 30 day letter to notify you whether you were approved or denied & if denied, the reason for denial.
A. The law prohibits the Debt Collector from
Harassing
Using obscene/profane language
Threaten violence or harm
Deposit check prematurely
Deceive you into accepting their call
Take or threaten action they cannot take
The law requires that Debt Collector does not contact you
Before 8 am & after 9 pm
If you write to them
If you have an attorney and collector is notified of it
The law requires the Debt Collector to provide written notice to include amount & creditor within 5 days of 1st contact
If debt not yours, write within 30 days
Q. What is the Truth-in-Lending Act?A. The law requires lenders to disclose:
Amount financed
Total Finance charges
Annual Percentage Rate
Total Payments after all payments made
A.
If there are unauthorized charges—your liability is limited to $50
Gives you the right to write/document to Billing Inquiries
Send certified mail within 60 days after first billing error
Lender must acknowledge within 30 days of receipt
Must resolve within two billing cycles
During dispute
Continue making payment
Lender prohibited from beginning collections
If you are right lender must notify in writing, correct it
If you are wrong you must pay
A.
Gives you the right to your annual free credit report.
It also gives you the right to correct information reported in your credit report
Write to the Credit Bureau & Lender “Disputing _________”
Bureau must investigate within 30 days
Bureau must write to you about their investigation plus provide you a credit report if it has changed
The disputed debt cannot reappear unless you are notified in writing.
Gives you the right to include a 100 word consumer statement in your credit report.
Quick Look at What's Happening at DCRAC
Check out The Wave report on DCRAC's tax clinic services.
The Sussex County Post covered the Discover Bank - DCRAC Credit Report Marathon in Greenwood, DE on April 3rd.
April is Fair Housing Month, check out these DCRAC & CLASI events.
Check out Rashmi's March 28th op-ed "Filing taxes doesn't have to be maddening" in the News Journal.
Need your credit report checked? DCRAC teams up with Discover bank in Greenwood, DE. We'll pull your credit report for free on Wednesday, April 3rd from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.Click here for info.
Attend our free tax workshop on April 4th in Milford from12:00 noon - 1:45 pm & Georgetown from 5:00 pm - 6:45 pm.
Job Fair in Newark, March 6th. Click here for info.
In addition to Wilmington, we will hold a Black History Month event in Dover, DE on February 28th. Invite your friends to hear a special presentation of: Jefferson Morley's "Snow Storm in August"
Help us celebrate Black History Month on February 25th at the Carvel State Building, Wilmington, DE for a 5:30 pm reception and 6:00 pm special presentation of: Jefferson Morley's "Snow Storm in August"
Get Free Tax help for your hack taxes on February 28th, 12:00 noon - 1:45 pm in Milford and 5:00pm - 6:45 pm in Georgetown. Click here for more info
Trouble with your taxes, attend DCRAC's Free Tax Counseling Holiday Special in Georgetown, DE. Thursday, Dec 20th 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Click here for details.
Check out this job opportunity in Newark, DE. Click here for info.
Click here for information on DCRAC's Open House and Credit Report Marathon: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, Georgetown Professional Park, Georgetown, DE (across from WALMART).
Rhonda Graham from the News Journal filed this story about DCRAC's 25 years of service to Delaware.
For individuals and friends of DCRAC, click here for ticket info to the Delaware CRA Council's 25th Anniversary Celebration at Ed "Porky" Oliver Golf Course on Friday, Oct. 5th, 2012. 5:30 pm - 8:30pm
For sponsors, join us Friday, Oct. 5th, 2012 for Delaware CRA Council's 25th Anniversary Celebration at Ed "Porky" Oliver Golf Course. 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm.
Jobs in health care field click here
Check out the Delaware Housing Search.org website where you can list your property for sale, or check listings and availability.
Know Your Rights! Attend this Landlord Tenant Code Event -August 14, 2012 3pm - 7pm
Come one, come all to DCRAC's community BBQ Friday, July 13, 2012. 11:30 am - 6:30 pm.
Check out the DE AG's Mortgage Task Force Events June 25 & June 26
June 7, the News Journal reported on the 20-1 vote for HB 289 in the DE Senate.
On May 17, Doug Denison filed this story on HB 289 as it is voted out of committee.
On May 16, Rev. Brad Hinton had his HB 289 letter to the editor published in the News Journal.
On May 4, the Seaford Star printed this story on HB 289.
On May 4, Monica Scott reported on HB 289 with "Payday lending changes" in the Coastal Point.
On May 2, Doug Denison filed his story "Payday loan limits advance" in the News Journal.
Rashmi Rangan asks folks to call their legislators to support HB 289
On May 1, the YWCA of Delaware's Ginny Marino had her HB 289 letter to the editor published in the News Journal.
On May 1, the News Journal printed this editorial in support of HB 289.
On May 1, the News Journal printed this HB 289 letter to the editor.
Sign up for this Grant Workshop on May 21st
On April 30, Doug Denison filed this front page payday lending story in the News Journal.
Rony Peralta provides background info on DCRAC's tax clinic.
Lakenzia Gordon talks about DCRAC's credit clinic classes and joining Stepping Stones FCU.
Anne Mountain describes how DCRAC's foreclosure counseling saved her house.
Attend US Rep. John Carney's ID Theft and Scam Protection event on April 12th in Georgetown, DE.
Attend US Rep. John Carney's ID Theft & Scam Protection event on April 12th in Newark, DE.
On April 5, Doug Denison filed this story about HB 289 "Payday loan restrictions advance" in the News Journal.
On April 4, letter to the News Journal published a letter to the editor in support of HB 289.
On March 22, Delaware Community Foundation grants DCRAC funds for computers.
On Saturday, March 17, the News Journal went to press with this excellent article on the big day for Stepping Stones.
WHYY's Newsworks posted this story for Stepping Stones.
Here is WDEL's coverage of the grand opening of Stepping Stones.
The News Journal had a good editorial on what Stepping Stones means to the community on March 14, 2012.
Thank you everyone! And a big thank you to US Rep. John Carney, US Sen. Chris Coons & US Sen. Tom Carper for your support at the Grand Opening of Stepping Stones Community Federal Credit Union.
GRAND OPENING: Stepping Stones Community Federal Credit Union. March 16th, 12:00 noon.
Our annual report ending June 30, 2011
For EITC Tax help in Delaware, check out this info.
IRS Workshop for Small Business at DCRAC
March 30th - March 31, DE AG Mortgage Task Force Events
DCRAC's Rashmi Rangan Grateful for IRS Grant
Internal Revenue Service Awards DCRAC $70,000 grant for LITC
DCRAC's comments on Fed approval of Capital One-ING Direct merger
Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden Signs on to Settlement Deal
The News Journal's Delaware Inc. quotes from DCRAC's letter to AG Beau Biden on mortgage settlement deal.
Public Housing notice in Newark, Delaware.
The News Journal prints DCRAC's "Delaware Voice" essay on Capital One merger with Ing Direct.
DCRAC releases letter of support for Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden.
DCRAC statement on DE Bank Commissioner's Cap One - ING decision: "We place the City of Wilmington and the Delaware Economic Development Office on notice to keep their calculators ready. Six months after the merger is consummated, we will ask them for a public accounting with regards to all the jobs that have been created and services provided to our communities here in Delaware by Capitol One."
Rashmi is quoted in News Journal on Mortgage Deal
John Taylor from Content Delaware interviews Rashmi Rangan
Check out these January Fair Housing Training Events
Rashmi Rangan quoted in News Journal editorial about Cordray Appointment
Rashmi Rangan: Richard Cordray Appointment Victory for Consumers
Join Rashmi Rangan for Ignite Wilmington, Nov. 30th at 7:00 pm at World Cafe Live at the Queen. Go to www.ignitewilmington.com.
Hoy en Delaware features a letter from Rashmi Rangan, Jim Angus and Rony Peralta on the Sussex County Today and Tomorrow Conference at Del Tech.
Rashmi wrote a letter to the DE Sec of Labor and pointed to the agreement reached in VA.
Good news last week in Norfolk, Virginia on the issue of worker wages. Check out the agreement between the VA Sec. of Labor and the Mexican Consulate in DC.
DCRAC's November 2 letter to the bank commissioner regarding the Capital One-ING Direct merger.
This is the cooperative agreement proposed by DCRAC for the Capital One-ING Direct merger.
Here is Rashmi Rangan's testimony from the October 27 Capital One - ING Direct bank commissioner hearing.
Eve Tahmincioglu from Delaware First Media looks at Stepping Stones FCU and the role credit unions have played in low income areas.
Here is a story about our CRA Leadership Award in the Community Pub
The Seaford Star has an interview with CRA Leadership Award winner Amy Walls
WHYY's Newsworks posted a story on U.S. Rep John Carney's visit to DCRAC as he learned about our mission and Stepping Stones FCU.
The Cape Gazette printed a nice profile of Amy Walls, DCRAC's 2011 CRA Leadership Award winner
WHYY's Newsworks has a good story on "Celebrate CRA 2011" and "Stepping Stones FCU"
The News Journal's Rhonda B. Graham highlights Stepping Stones FCU as a sign of hope in Wilmington.
The News Journal's Eric Ruth reports on the creation of Stepping Stones FCU
NCUA Grants Charter for Stepping Stones Federal Credit Union
Rashmi Rangan's detailed comments on Capital One-ING Direct merger to Federal Reserve
Rashmi Rangan's testimony at Capital One-ING Direct Public Meeting
DCRAC interview with Housing Clinic Director, Carlos Herrera
DCRAC welcomes our partners to the 15th annual Celebrate CRA
Rashmi Rangan's op-ed on Dodd-Frank and Consumer Protection Bureau
DCRAC seeks Credit Clinic Director
DCRAC comments on Capital One/ING
Looking for Scholarship Opportunities
Looking for Employment
New Journal's Eric Ruth Quotes Rashmi Rangan on Capital One-ING Direct Merger
News Journal story on family's struggle in foreclosure crisis
News Journal story on Fed approval of M&T - Wilmington Trust merger quotes DCRAC
WHYY features DCRAC in: "Fighting Foreclosures" http://video.whyy.org/video/1780751388/
WHYY interviews Rashmi Rangan on Fed forclosure report
News Journal report on M&T Bank and Wilmington Trust merger hearing
Rashmi Rangan's Public Testimony M&T/WT merger hearing
Delaware CRA Contacts: