Does Anyone Really Need Credit?
Almost everyone does. There are things available without using credit, such as rent, food, and other necessities which can be paid with a check, debit card, or cash. But building a solid credit profile is important even if you prefer to pay with cash. Learn why and...
FAQ
FAQIs credit repair legal? It sure is. In fact, the federal government has passed consumer law that allows people the opportunity to have correct, up-dated and accurate information on their credit report. Specifically, the FCRA states: If the completeness or...
Should You File For Bankruptcy?
Kim Basinger did it. Ditto for Rapper 50 Cent. Francis Ford Coppola did it two times. Willie Nelson, Meat Loaf and Walt Disney all did it as well. Even this country’s founding father; Thomas Jefferson has done it. Done what? They have all filed for financial...
Equifax Breach – Are You Still at Risk?
According to AP, Equifax has admitted that an additional 2.5 million Americans may have been affected by the massive security breach of its systems, bringing the total to 145.5 million people who had their personal information accessed or stolen. The information...
Equifax Allows the Largest Hack in US History
The unprecedented breach, which occurred in July, but only disclosed on Thursday, is among the largest in US history, affecting 143 million people. What is really unconscionable about this breach is that Equifax knew that personal financial data, including Social...
Now is the Time to Pay Down Credit Card Debt
Your team at the Heritage Credit Group all agree: It is time to pay down your credit cards. Credit card debt is the most difficult to overcome for a couple of reasons, but there is a Simple Fix Formula: There is very little to show for cc purchases in most...
From Lizet’s Desk: The Heritage Credit Group Giveaway!
The Heritage Group is giving away 1 FREE credit repair! ($400.00 value) First Place Winner will be announced March 3rd, 2017. Everybody who enters wins! ALL entries (except grand winner) will receive $60.00 towards credit repair! Would you like to see your FICO score...
Tip of the Month: Protecting Your Tax Return Money
For the next few months, merchants will be coming at consumers hard with Specials, Sales, Discounts, Advertising, New Products, with one thing in mind: It is an all-out grab for your tax return!! Tax return money is viewed as “Disposable Income” which means your...
Alarming Number of Collections Directed To Wrong Consumer
Are you receiving collection notices or calls? It may or may not be legitimate according to new studies. An alarming number of collections are being conducted either in error or by out-right fraud on the part of some collection agencies. Are you paying a scammer...
Time doesn’t fill the success-oriented person. They fill the time.
(Gratefully borrowed from Jeff Hayden, editor, Inc.) Ten Habits for Personal Growth are employed by successful people on a daily basis. The habits are not always easy but it will always make a difference. And over time, that's what will make you incredibly...
Now is the Time to Buy a Home!
As soon as it became apparent that Donald Trump would be this country’s next president, Wall Street tanked. This may not be an indication of concern over economic policy as much as the stock market hates the unknown. However, Since Tuesday, there has been a rebound...
What Can I Do About My Low Credit Score?
Perhaps there are no derogatory entries on your credit report; no late pays, no collections. You have one credit card and been paying it religiously for three years. Your debt to income ratio is in range. But your FICO score is still low. Is there anything you can...
From Lizet’s Desk: Raise Your FICO Quickly and Easily
Last week one of our clients raised her FICO score 70 points in just 30 days! You can do this too! Would you like to known how she accomplished it? She followed our simple process: She added the buyer’s club account to her credit profile. In case you’re not...
Can I Sue Telemarketers?
Yes! Your tip for this month is to sue your telemarketer! Telemarketers must follow the same guidelines as debt collectors, banks, credit card agencies and any other company making robocalls, or calls in person, and they rarely do. If your rights, as defined by...
How to Get out of Debt Quickly
Your credit is jacked, collection agencies are blowing up your phone and the mailbox is stuffed with letters demanding payment. There isn’t enough money to pay the debts and your stress level is maxed out. What can you do? If you read our last blog, you know that...
Lizet’s Desk: Don’t Stress
Everyday life brings with it challenges that can cause stress. There are children to feed, protect and nurture. There is the daily routine of a job. Society injustices and violent news articles bombard us continually. And there are medical issues to deal with. The one...
Dealing With Telemarketers
We’ve all got them; unwanted calls from telemarketers Are you hounded by telemarketers? The next time you receive a call from a salesman, rather than ignoring it, simply pick up the phone, determine who the caller is and ask them to stop calling. After that,...
Is Debt Settlement Right for You?
What is debt settlement exactly? Debt settlement or debt negotiation is when a consumer arranges with the collector to pay less than what is owed and the debt is then forgiven. (Sort of forgiven, and we’ll explain that later). While it is usually not possible to...
From Lizet’s Desk: Can You Build Credit Quickly?
Sometimes our clients ask me what is the best way to build credit quickly? If there are a lot of derogatory entries on your report such as; charge-offs, judgments, collection notices, the process will rarely be a fast one. Time is needed to initiate correspondence...
Debt Abuse Must Be Stopped
The CFPB agrees with consumers: Action needs to take place against illegal debt collection practices and it needs to happen now. Do you agree? You will if you are one of the 77 million Americans who are hounded each year by debt collectors. And now the Consumer...
Cash for Collections!
Can you use some extra cash? Of course you can, we all can! Regular readers of our post know we routinely give cash to our clients; $1,000 is common and $4,000 or more happens as well! How do you get your share of this money? Glad you asked! Gather up any...
From Lizet’s Desk: Pay Yourself First for Easy Savings
Pay yourself first. When it comes to bill-paying, I like to remind our clients to pay themselves first before they pay any other bill. Make it a habit to put money into a savings account based on the 10% rule. That means, if you make $5,000 monthly, write yourself...
Pay Down Your Accounts
When I interview potential clients, I usually notice something on their credit report that will lower their FICO score more than a negative item will… do you know what it is? We would think that a positive trade line (a current, paid-as-agreed account) such as a...
$1.6 Million Levied Against Chase for Illegal Debt Collection Practices
Recently, state and federal authorities announced JPMorgan Chase will have to pay $166 million to settle charges that it engaged illegal debt collection activities for years. Additionally, they now must adhere to strict new debt collection rules. The bank will...
From Lizet’s Desk: Credit and Debit Card Payments
I love my clients and as I get to know you and your families, I try to accommodate you in many ways. I give monthly up-dates, suggestions that help build credit, and payment structures that makes budgeting easier, and other helpful services. One of the more difficult...
Build my Credit Central Coast: Helpful tips to build your credit
Local Central Coast “Build My Credit” specialists Heritage Credit Repair have for over 25 years been doing their part to assist residents of the Central Coast in repairing their credit scores. This week, they released a report on how they help their clients build...
Struggling with Central Coast collection calls?
Are you struggling with a bad credit report? Well struggle no more; Heritage Credit Repair is here to solve your problem! Welcome to Heritage Credit Repair, a trusted Credit Recovery firm with over 25 years of experience in the area of consumer debt and credit...
From Lizet’s Desk: Credit Reports
Should consumers use a credit report that comes directly from the credit bureaus or is a less expensive consumer-based report good enough? Since an on-going monthly purchase of these reports is necessary for credit repair, we currently are using consumer-based credit...
Purchase low-cost items on credit to improve credit.
Many consumers, in an attempt to improve their credit, will buy something on credit. The idea is timely payments show up the credit report raising ones’ credit score. While this is true, there is potential down-side. Many consumers we interview will purchase a...
New Law Could Mean Cash for You
Consumer law is wonderful. It is like a body guard who comes to the rescue when a bully mistreats a smaller friend. Enter Collection Agencies, Credit Bureaus and Creditors—these are the financial bullies who routinely violate consumer rights. Most of us have had the...
From Lizet’s Desk: Medical Bills
Consumers usually need our service due to debts that are defaulted on. It is not always done purposefully, as in the case of medical bills. However, many others default simply because they have over-extended their credit cards. Although there may be fewer bills to...
Why choose Heritage Credit Repair?
Is your credit suffering? Worry not, here at Heritage Credit Repair, we have the cure! With over 25 years of experience in the consumer debt and credit industry, our team here at Heritage Credit Repair, complete with an aggressive legal department ready and willing to...
Never throw away a collection letter.
Collection Notices are now Worth Thousands of Dollars! Never throw away a collection letter. State and Federal guidelines are very explicit as to how a collection letter can be written. Either due to ignorance, arrogance or playing the odds, bill collectors routinely...
When Medical Bills Are An Issue
Mike and Linda thought their credit record was spotless. The Central Coast couple wanted to take advantage of low interest rates, so they put their house on the market and talked to a lender about a mortgage on a bigger home in the area. Their credit report contained...
From Lizet’s Desk: Cash Awards
We want to see more of our clients receive cash awards! So please, let us know right away if a collection agency is contacting you. In many cases their approach to bill collecting violates one or more federal or state laws. If this happens, the debt can be...
Rid yourself of poverty thinking.
In my 25 years plus in working with consumers, I have learned that most people limit their financial potential, create a mountain of debt and sabotage their chances at success simply due to poverty thinking. What is poverty thinking? It is a learned thinking process;...
What is Debt Negotiation, and is it Right for You?
There is nothing quite as stressful as having more debt than the household income can comfortably deal with. When people find themselves with out-of-control debt they typically begin exploring ways to rid themselves of the debt. Refinance the house? File for...
From Lizet’s Desk: Store Credit Cards
During this season many go on shopping sprees and tend to over spend as it is so easy to do, many also apply for new credit cards. I just wanted to remind our clients that this could have negative consequences. For example, department stores tend to ask if you’d like...
The Revolution Of The Credit Repair Industry
–Heritage Credit Group has revolutionized the credit repair industry by punishing collection agencies instead of creditors. Most credit repair companies focus on deleting and removing negative items from a person’s credit report. Heritage Group instead puts emphasis...
Free Credit Repair Central Coast
Bad credit can feel like an invisible wall keeping you from buying your first home, locking you out of your dream car, or making it difficult to move into a new apartment. The professionals at Heritage Credit Repair are the free credit repair Central Coast specialists...
Debt collector harassment Central Coast
Debt collectors can be merciless in their pursuit for your money and in their dedication to destroying your credit. With over 25 years of consumer debt and credit repair experience, the specialists at Heritage Credit Repair know how to get the harassing calls and...
Collection letters Central Coast
Having to deal with collection agencies is no walk in the park. Debt collectors can be vicious and their abusive tactics can take an emotional and financial toll on your life and your credit score. Did you know that some collection letters Central Coast residents...
Build my credit Central Coast
It’s time to make bad credit or no credit a thing of the past! With the Heritage Credit Group we can make that a reality. With over 25 years of experience, we are experts in helping you build your credit from the ground up. Our free and customized credit repair...
Pay more than the minimum.
Making minimum payments each month is a guaranteed way to be stuck in debt much longer than necessary. For example, if you have a $5,000 balance on a credit card with a 15% annual percentage rate and make a minimum monthly payment of just 2% of the balance, it will...
Alarming Number of Collections Directed to Wrong Consumer
Are you receiving collection notices or calls? It may or may not be legitimate, according to new studies. An alarming number of collections are being conducted either in error or by out-right fraud on the part of some collection agencies. In the cases of fraud,...
Have a Healthy Relationship
Money is one of the leading causes of all fights among significant others, and can even lead to separation or divorce. If you want to have a healthy relationship and avoid arguing over money, these few simple guidelines will help keep you in line: Create a budget and...
From Lizet’s Desk: Correspondence from Collectors
Please remember to bring into the office or send in to us any correspondence from creditors and collection companies. These letters help us gauge our progress and helps in determining what our next course of action should be. Also keep a record of any phone calls you...
Collection Agencies Shut Down for Illegal Practices
The U.S. government has shut down four debt collection agencies and a fifth company is still being investigated but not identified yet, the Federal Trade Commission said on Wednesday. The companies' protocol included abusive tactics, including threats of arrest,...
From Lizet’s Desk: Speed Up the Process
Many of our clients would like to see immediate results from our work... and so would we! But realistically this process takes time. Even though our work begins immediately and some clients have seen progress before 30 days, the bureaus do not have to correspond for...
Pay Yourself First
Most of us are diligent about paying our bills when they are due. The thought of living in the cold prompts us to pay our utility bill. Not wanting our property to be inundated with trash encourages us to pay the garbage bill and, of course, if we do not want to live...
Another Heritage Credit Group Client Wins Cash Award!
Written by Matt Loker, Heritage Attorney On September 3, 2015, the Honorable Stephen V. Wilson of the United States District Court, Central District of California entered Judgment in favor of a Heritage Credit Repair client and against the Credit Bureau of Santa Maria...
Should You File for Bankruptcy?
Kim Basinger did it. Ditto for Rapper 50 Cent. Francis Ford Coppola did it two times. Willie Nelson, Meat Loaf and Walt Disney all did it as well. Even this country’s founding father; Thomas Jefferson has done it. Done what? They have all filed for financial...
From Lizet’s Desk: About Lizet
I have been working for this company for about 4 years now. I love my job and the clients I work with. One of the things I enjoy most about my job and our clients is being able to contribute in bettering their life and helping them reach their goals. I love getting...
Stop Impulse Shopping
Retailers make enormous profits from impulse shoppers. Have you ever noticed that magazines, candies, gums, children’s toys and trinkets are all lined up near the checkout stand? While you are standing in line waiting to check out, all these things are in your path...
Have You Received Your Cash Award?
The FTC said recently that the collection agency Asset Capital Management Group purchased debt from creditors and, in an effort to collect from consumers, it "extorted payments from them using false threats." The illegal and underhanded tactics the company allegedly...
How to Handle Collection Calls and Letters: Part 3
Hundreds of thousands of consumers are contacted by debt collectors regarding delinquent debts every single day. Receiving these calls and notices can cause a great deal of stress. In fact, one could list dealing with debt collection activities right along with...
How to Handle Collection Calls and Letters: Part 2
Hundreds of thousands of consumers are contacted by debt collectors regarding delinquent debts every single day. Receiving these calls and notices can cause a great deal of stress. In fact, one could list dealing with debt collection activities right along with...
How to Handle Collection Calls and Letters: Part 1
Hundreds of thousands of consumers are contacted by debt collectors regarding delinquent debts every single day. Receiving these calls and notices can cause a great deal of stress. In fact, one could list dealing with debt collection activities right along with...
Arroyo Grande Home Buyer Workshop Huge Success!
At the Arroyo Grande Home Buyer Workshop last month, a large crowd of people were amazed to learn how easily they could go from renter to homeowner. Purchasing a home came be a complicated process. Our event enlightened people by offering expertise and resources to...
Bad Debt? Or Unfair Collection Agencies?
Do Collection Agencies Play Fair? Most would say no! In fact, one consumer made the observation that collection agencies are like a “Debt Thrift Store”. They receive their “commodity” for next to nothing, just like thrift stores receive donated shoes for free. The...
Are You a Victim of Identity Theft?
Most consumers have become identity theft victims and are not even aware of it until a great deal of damage has been perpetrated. So if you think you have good credit, take another look. You may be in for a real surprise. With department store hacks and credit card...
Feds Making it Tough to Get a Home Loan
The Browns have solid employment, good income and prequalified for a home loan a year ago. However, getting the bank’s approval has involved intense scrutiny and endless rounds of paper work from underwriters. To improve their situation, the Browns paid off a student...
Credit Card Secrets for College Students
Not too long ago folks would keep their money in coffee cans under the bed. When they needed to make a purchase, they paid cash from the can. That was when this country was not experiencing the enormous debt that it now finds itself in or the enormous cost involved...
JPMorgan Ccyber-Attack Means More Security Concerns
Have you received your notice from Chase? The New York bank disclosed Thursday that the breach compromised information pertaining to about 76 million households and 7 million small businesses. What of yours was possibly stolen? According to Chase, only your...
5 Steps to Credit Success: Part 2
Why the 5 Steps? These 5 steps are important because they will teach you not only to calculate your credit score, but to actually control it. You can always refer back to these steps in order to keep your credit profile fresh and accurate. Remember, addressing just...
5 Steps to Credit Success: Part 1
Why the 5 Steps? These 5 steps are important because they will teach you not only to calculate your credit score, but to actually control it. You can always refer back to these steps in order to keep your credit profile fresh and accurate. Remember, addressing just...
Trade Lines: The First Step in Repairing Your Credit
This is the first part of our series: Do it Yourself Credit Repair. Today we're focusing on trade lines. How can adding trade lines help you raise your credit score? Most people think that to fix one’s credit they must first remove derogatory entries. Not true. If...
Student Loan Questions: What if I Used a Co-Signer?
This series on our blog, Student Loan Questions, answers questions many students have about student loans. This week we answer the question: What if I used a co-signer? Used a co-signer for your student loan? You may be headed for serious trouble… While a parent or...
How to Protect Yourself from a Credit Card Hack
Considering there are over 70 million potential victims of the Target credit card hack, you should probably keep reading-- After the database hack, Target warned its customers that criminals now have three ways to make contact with them and so warned their customers...
Target Fraud and How to Protect Yourself
If you are worried that you might be a victim of Target fraud, taking steps to protect yourself are crucial. Considering there are over 70 million potential victims of the Target hack, you should probably keep reading-- Watch for Potential Target Fraud After the...
5 Steps to Build New Credit
Having no Credit at all is Just as Bad as Poor Credit While most consumers do not have optimal credit history, it is not always due to not paying bills, or an accumulation of late pays, charge-offs or the like. It is sometimes a result of simply not having built any...
The Truth About Dispute Letters
Removing derogatory items on credit reports usually means sending “dispute letters,” and what a waste of time and money this process is. Let me explain: The credit repair “do-it-yourself” kits you can purchase explain this silly "dispute letter" process and will even...