Consumers get confused when a company they’ve never heard of contacts them about a debt they supposedly owe, and may not have a record of. In many of these situations, a debt collector has purchased your debt from the original creditor. But there are protections for consumers: In Maryland, both federal and state laws set…
Spring is when many homeowners begin thinking about solar; the weather warms, air conditioning season approaches, and people start receiving their first air conditioning bills. Add in the unpredictability of global oil markets/broader energy costs, and it’s not surprising that solar interest spikes this time of year. Unfortunately, spring marks the beginning of solar fraud…
If you discover that someone has already filed using your Social Security number, the status quo tax season becomes far more complicated. If you’re wondering what to do if someone filed taxes in your name, you’re not alone, as the threat has grown in recent years. Tax identity theft is one of the fastest-growing forms…
Identity theft no longer fits a single stereotype; the crime finds its way into any avenue it can. Today’s fraudsters use a wide range of identity theft tactics, many of which leave victims facing debts, damaged credit, and legal disputes they never anticipated. Understanding how identity theft works is often the first step toward recognizing…
Student loan fraud identity theft occurs when someone uses stolen personal information to open or manipulate education-related debt accounts; this leaves victims being pursued to pay for balances/debts they never created. Unlike credit card fraud, student loan identity theft often goes unnoticed for years. Scammers will use stolen Social Security numbers to apply for federal/private…
If you’re being chased for medical bills that don’t make sense, or don’t belong to you, you’re not imagining things. Medical identity theft is one of the fastest-growing forms of fraud in the country, and it leaves victims facing wrongful medical debt and relentless collection efforts. How Medical Fraud Happens Medical debt fraud usually begins…
Most consumers assume that debt collectors conduct a thorough investigation of accounts before pursuing payment; this isn’t the case. In reality, the modern debt collection industry works differently, and it’s all about hitting quotas and making margins. Understanding how debt buyers operate helps explain why wrongful collections occur so frequently. What Debt Buyers Actually Purchase…
Few things are more unsettling/frustrating than being pursued for a debt you know you didn’t create. You review the balance. You scan your memory. And nothing adds up. Still, the collector insists the debt is yours. Every year, thousands of consumers are pursued for debts they do not owe. In many cases, the problem isn’t…
Sometimes a debt collector can’t clearly explain where the debt came from. Documents are missing, balances keep changing, or the calls won’t stop. Many consumers are pursued for wrongful debts, and recognizing the red flags early can make the difference between stopping the damage and living with it for years. When a Collection Crosses the…
Financial threats are hiding everywhere. They’re embedded in misleading contracts, predatory loans, unfair and deceptive business practices, and identity theft schemes that can cost victims tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Scams have evolved far beyond the stereotypical “Nigerian prince” email. Today’s fraudsters are smarter, faster, and harder to spot. Many operate under…