Thursday, November 3, 2011
Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program
Math or Science teachers in eligible secondary schools and special education teachers in eligible elementary or secondary schools are allowed to erase up to $17,500.00 of their student loans in return for five (5) consecutive years of employment in certain schools that serve low income families.
The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program under the FFEL Program and the Direct Loan Program apply only to borrowers with no outstanding loan balances as of October 1, 1998, or later.
FFEL and Direct Loan borrowers are not eligible for the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program if their loans are in default status. If a borrower is in default status, it is imperative that they get out of default status by taking advantage of the Income Based Repayment (IBR) Program in order to establish their eligibility to participate in the loan forgiveness program.
It is important to note that teachers can take advantage of multiple loan forgiveness programs simultaneously. For example, teachers can apply for the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program and the Public Service Forgiveness Program at the same time.
Check the following website for more information:
http://ibrinfo.org/
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/LoanForgivenessv4.pdf
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/PSLF_QAs_final_02%2012%2010.pdf
Dunne Law Offices, P.C.
1500 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 854-6342 (Office)
http://www.thephiladelphiabankruptcyattorney.com/
Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program
Math or Science teachers in eligible secondary schools and special education teachers in eligible elementary or secondary schools are allowed to erase up to $17,500.00 of their student loans in return for five (5) consecutive years of employment in certain schools that serve low income families.
The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program under the FFEL Program and the Direct Loan Program apply only to borrowers with no outstanding loan balances as of October 1, 1998, or later.
FFEL and Direct Loan borrowers are not eligible for the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program if their loans are in default status. If a borrower is in default status, it is imperative that they get out of default status by taking advantage of the Income Based Repayment (IBR) Program in order to establish their eligibility to participate in the loan forgiveness program.
It is important to note that teachers can take advantage of multiple loan forgiveness programs simultaneously. For example, teachers can apply for the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program and the Public Service Forgiveness Program at the same time.
Check the following website for more information:
http://ibrinfo.org/
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/LoanForgivenessv4.pdf
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/PSLF_QAs_final_02%2012%2010.pdf
Dunne Law Offices, P.C.
1500 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 854-6342 (Office)
http://www.thephiladelphiabankruptcyattorney.com/
Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program
Math or Science teachers in eligible secondary schools and special education teachers in eligible elementary or secondary schools are allowed to erase up to $17,500.00 of their student loans in return for five (5) consecutive years of employment in certain schools that serve low income families.
The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program under the FFEL Program and the Direct Loan Program apply only to borrowers with no outstanding loan balances as of October 1, 1998, or later.
FFEL and Direct Loan borrowers are not eligible for the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program if their loans are in default status. If a borrower is in default status, it is imperative that they get out of default status by taking advantage of the Income Based Repayment (IBR) Program in order to establish their eligibility to participate in the loan forgiveness program.
It is important to note that teachers can take advantage of multiple loan forgiveness programs simultaneously. For example, teachers can apply for the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program and the Public Service Forgiveness Program at the same time.
Check the following website for more information:
http://ibrinfo.org/
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/LoanForgivenessv4.pdf
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/PSLF_QAs_final_02%2012%2010.pdf
Dunne Law Offices, P.C.
1500 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 854-6342 (Office)
http://www.thephiladelphiabankruptcyattorney.com/
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Loan Forgiveness Program
This program is available to all borrowers who work in public service jobs for ten (10) years and participate in a eligible repayment plan (IBR or ICR). The remaining balance of the student loan (principal and interest) is forgiven after ten years of public service is completed.
The program applies only to Direct Loans which encompasses Stafford, Plus, and Consolidation loans. Some borrowers may find it advantageous to consolidate their direct loans with their non-direct federal government loans in order to take advantage of this benefit.
Borrowers with non-direct loans should consolidate with direct loans as soon as possible because only payments made through the Direct Loan Program count towards the ten year forgiveness period. Borrowers who have previously consolidated their loans are eligible to reconsolidate their loans (combine direct loans with non-direct loans) to take advantage of this loan forgiveness program.
In order to qualify, borrowers must not be in default and must have made 120 payments on their loans after October 1, 2007. Payments can made through any of the eligible repayment plans (IBR or ICR). Borrowers must be employed in a public service job at the time of the forgiveness.
Jobs with federal, state, local, or tribal government organizations, public child or family service agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or universities should be considered "public service jobs."
Borrowers who are working for organizations that provide any of the following services should qualify: Law Enforcement, Public Interest, Military service, Public safety, childhood education, public health care occupations, and public education.
It is important to note that the loan forgiveness is based upon the employer's eligibility, not the type of job. Anyone working full time for a qualifying employer, regardless of his or her job, may qualify. There is no requirement that borrowers must work in the same public service job for the entire ten year period.
Check the following website for more information:
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/LoanForgivenessv4.pdf
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/PSLF_QAs_final_02%2012%2010.pdf
Loan Forgiveness Program
This program is available to all borrowers who work in public service jobs for ten (10) years and participate in a eligible repayment plan (IBR or ICR). The remaining balance of the student loan (principal and interest) is forgiven after ten years of public service is completed.
The program applies only to Direct Loans which encompasses Stafford, Plus, and Consolidation loans. Some borrowers may find it advantageous to consolidate their direct loans with their non-direct federal government loans in order to take advantage of this benefit.
Borrowers with non-direct loans should consolidate with direct loans as soon as possible because only payments made through the Direct Loan Program count towards the ten year forgiveness period. Borrowers who have previously consolidated their loans are eligible to reconsolidate their loans (combine direct loans with non-direct loans) to take advantage of this loan forgiveness program.
In order to qualify, borrowers must not be in default and must have made 120 payments on their loans after October 1, 2007. Payments can made through any of the eligible repayment plans (IBR or ICR). Borrowers must be employed in a public service job at the time of the forgiveness.
Jobs with federal, state, local, or tribal government organizations, public child or family service agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or universities should be considered "public service jobs."
Borrowers who are working for organizations that provide any of the following services should qualify: Law Enforcement, Public Interest, Military service, Public safety, childhood education, public health care occupations, and public education.
It is important to note that the loan forgiveness is based upon the employer's eligibility, not the type of job. Anyone working full time for a qualifying employer, regardless of his or her job, may qualify. There is no requirement that borrowers must work in the same public service job for the entire ten year period.
Check the following website for more information:
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/LoanForgivenessv4.pdf
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/PSLF_QAs_final_02%2012%2010.pdf
Loan Forgiveness Program
This program is available to all borrowers who work in public service jobs for ten (10) years and participate in a eligible repayment plan (IBR or ICR). The remaining balance of the student loan (principal and interest) is forgiven after ten years of public service is completed.
The program applies only to Direct Loans which encompasses Stafford, Plus, and Consolidation loans. Some borrowers may find it advantageous to consolidate their direct loans with their non-direct federal government loans in order to take advantage of this benefit.
Borrowers with non-direct loans should consolidate with direct loans as soon as possible because only payments made through the Direct Loan Program count towards the ten year forgiveness period. Borrowers who have previously consolidated their loans are eligible to reconsolidate their loans (combine direct loans with non-direct loans) to take advantage of this loan forgiveness program.
In order to qualify, borrowers must not be in default and must have made 120 payments on their loans after October 1, 2007. Payments can made through any of the eligible repayment plans (IBR or ICR). Borrowers must be employed in a public service job at the time of the forgiveness.
Jobs with federal, state, local, or tribal government organizations, public child or family service agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or universities should be considered "public service jobs."
Borrowers who are working for organizations that provide any of the following services should qualify: Law Enforcement, Public Interest, Military service, Public safety, childhood education, public health care occupations, and public education.
It is important to note that the loan forgiveness is based upon the employer's eligibility, not the type of job. Anyone working full time for a qualifying employer, regardless of his or her job, may qualify. There is no requirement that borrowers must work in the same public service job for the entire ten year period.
Check the following website for more information:
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/LoanForgivenessv4.pdf
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/PSLF_QAs_final_02%2012%2010.pdf
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Student Loans: The Next Debt Bubble
Total student loan debt in the U.S. is expected to reach $1 trillion this year — more than the nation’s total credit-card debt. The consequences of default are severe. Unlike most debt, student loans are almost impossible to dispose of through bankruptcy. If students fail to repay, their tax refunds can be withheld and wages and Social Security payments can be garnished.
Lawyer turns topless dancer to pay the bills
Student Loans: The Next Debt Bubble
Total student loan debt in the U.S. is expected to reach $1 trillion this year — more than the nation’s total credit-card debt. The consequences of default are severe. Unlike most debt, student loans are almost impossible to dispose of through bankruptcy. If students fail to repay, their tax refunds can be withheld and wages and Social Security payments can be garnished.
Lawyer turns topless dancer to pay the bills
Student Loans: The Next Debt Bubble
Lawyer turns topless dancer to pay the bills
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Discharge of Federal Income Taxes in Bankruptcy
A taxpayer may discharge federal income taxes in a Chapter 7 if ALL of the following criteria are met:
1.The tax is for a year for which a tax return is due more than 3 years prior to the filing of the bankruptcy petition;
2.A tax return was filed more than 2 years prior to the filing of the petition;
3.The tax was assessed more than 240 days prior to filing of the petition;
4. Lastly, the tax must not be due to a fraudulent tax return.
Three NFL stars who bounced back from bankruptcy - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
Three NFL stars who bounced back from bankruptcy - NFL - Yahoo! Sports:
Three NFL stars who bounced back from bankruptcy - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
Three NFL stars who bounced back from bankruptcy - NFL - Yahoo! Sports:
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Discharge of Federal Income Taxes in Bankruptcy
A taxpayer may discharge federal income taxes in a Chapter 7 if ALL of the following criteria are met:
1.The tax is for a year for which a tax return is due more than 3 years prior to the filing of the bankruptcy petition;
2.A tax return was filed more than 2 years prior to the filing of the petition;
3.The tax was assessed more than 240 days prior to filing of the petition;
4. Lastly, the tax must not be due to a fraudulent tax return.
Discharge of Federal Income Taxes in Bankruptcy
A taxpayer may discharge federal income taxes in a Chapter 7 if ALL of the following criteria are met:
1.The tax is for a year for which a tax return is due more than 3 years prior to the filing of the bankruptcy petition;
2.A tax return was filed more than 2 years prior to the filing of the petition;
3.The tax was assessed more than 240 days prior to filing of the petition;
4. Lastly, the tax must not be due to a fraudulent tax return.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
HUDtastraphe
Congress authorized $1 billion last July to help unemployed homeowners nationwide who are at risk of foreclosure as part of the Emergency Homeowners Loan Program (EHLP). EHLP was signed into law 180 days ago by President Obama as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
On October 5th, 2010 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a press release stating that: "It is HUD's intention for the program to begin taking applications from eligible homeowners by the end of the year."
To date, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) which will administer the HUD loans is still waiting for the money from Washington.
HUD spokesman Brian Sullivan recently stated that "the target is the first quarter of this year."
The EHLP law will provide up to $50,000 in zero-interest loans for each homeowner who qualifies, or who is behind on their mortgage payments due to unemployment, underemployment or medical bills.
Homeowners in Pennsylvania need this money today as there are 13,000 new foreclosure notices sent out every month to residents of the keystone state.
The situation in Philadelphia is even more dire but fortunately Judge Pamela D. Dembe, the president judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia has issued a 30 day moratorium for the nearly 1,500 residential properties in foreclosure.
The time for HUD to act is now. Pennsylvania families threatened with eviction in the winter of 2011 need help today.
To speak directly, one on one, with an experienced and knowledgeable Philadelphia Bankruptcy Lawyer, please contact the Dunne Law Offices at (215) 854-6342. We offer a free initial consultation for all consumer bankruptcy matters.
The Dunne Law Offices, P.C. is a debt relief agency. The Dunne Law Offices, P.C. helps people file for bankruptcy relief under the bankruptcy code.
HUDtastraphe
Congress authorized $1 billion last July to help unemployed homeowners nationwide who are at risk of foreclosure as part of the Emergency Homeowners Loan Program (EHLP). EHLP was signed into law 180 days ago by President Obama as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
On October 5th, 2010 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a press release stating that: "It is HUD's intention for the program to begin taking applications from eligible homeowners by the end of the year."
To date, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) which will administer the HUD loans is still waiting for the money from Washington.
HUD spokesman Brian Sullivan recently stated that "the target is the first quarter of this year."
The EHLP law will provide up to $50,000 in zero-interest loans for each homeowner who qualifies, or who is behind on their mortgage payments due to unemployment, underemployment or medical bills.
Homeowners in Pennsylvania need this money today as there are 13,000 new foreclosure notices sent out every month to residents of the keystone state.
The situation in Philadelphia is even more dire but fortunately Judge Pamela D. Dembe, the president judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia has issued a 30 day moratorium for the nearly 1,500 residential properties in foreclosure.
The time for HUD to act is now. Pennsylvania families threatened with eviction in the winter of 2011 need help today.
To speak directly, one on one, with an experienced and knowledgeable Philadelphia Bankruptcy Lawyer, please contact the Dunne Law Offices at (215) 854-6342. We offer a free initial consultation for all consumer bankruptcy matters.
The Dunne Law Offices, P.C. is a debt relief agency. The Dunne Law Offices, P.C. helps people file for bankruptcy relief under the bankruptcy code.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Student Loans and Bankruptcy
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy restructures your debt in order to make financial obligations to creditors manageable. Debts commonly included in Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases are past due mortgage payments, car loans and student loans. Nothing absolves you from having to pay back your student loans, but Chapter 13 helps you get a handle on the payments.
A Chapter 13 bankruptcy may also erase up to 100% of your unsecured debt; credit cards, medical bills, store cards and personal loans.
At present, Americans owe $829 billion in student loans. If a student falls behind in their student loan payments, the Department of Education is legally allowed to implement the following collection methods:
• Wage garnishment without a court order
• Suspension of state professional license
• Garnishment of social security/disability income
• Withholding IRS tax refunds
Chapter 13 bankruptcy stops all of these harsh collection methods and allows a student a little breathing room to pay what they can out of their budget. Many Chapter 13 cases are spread out over 5 years allowing a student plenty of time to discover new career opportunities and live comfortably without suffering from constant threats and harassment by SallieMae.
The following graphic illustrates the student loan racket: http://www.collegescholarships.org/research/student-loans/
To speak directly, one on one, with an experienced and knowledgeable Philadelphia Bankruptcy Lawyer, please contact the Dunne Law Offices at (215) 854-6342. We offer a free initial consultation for all consumer bankruptcy matters.
The Dunne Law Offices, P.C. is a debt relief agency. The Dunne Law Offices, P.C. helps people file for bankruptcy relief under the bankruptcy code.
Student Loans and Bankruptcy
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy restructures your debt in order to make financial obligations to creditors manageable. Debts commonly included in Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases are past due mortgage payments, car loans and student loans. Nothing absolves you from having to pay back your student loans, but Chapter 13 helps you get a handle on the payments.
A Chapter 13 bankruptcy may also erase up to 100% of your unsecured debt; credit cards, medical bills, store cards and personal loans.
At present, Americans owe $829 billion in student loans. If a student falls behind in their student loan payments, the Department of Education is legally allowed to implement the following collection methods:
• Wage garnishment without a court order
• Suspension of state professional license
• Garnishment of social security/disability income
• Withholding IRS tax refunds
Chapter 13 bankruptcy stops all of these harsh collection methods and allows a student a little breathing room to pay what they can out of their budget. Many Chapter 13 cases are spread out over 5 years allowing a student plenty of time to discover new career opportunities and live comfortably without suffering from constant threats and harassment by SallieMae.
The following graphic illustrates the student loan racket: http://www.collegescholarships.org/research/student-loans/
To speak directly, one on one, with an experienced and knowledgeable Philadelphia Bankruptcy Lawyer, please contact the Dunne Law Offices at (215) 854-6342. We offer a free initial consultation for all consumer bankruptcy matters.
The Dunne Law Offices, P.C. is a debt relief agency. The Dunne Law Offices, P.C. helps people file for bankruptcy relief under the bankruptcy code.
Student Loans and Bankruptcy
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy restructures your debt in order to make financial obligations to creditors manageable. Debts commonly included in Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases are past due mortgage payments, car loans and student loans. Nothing absolves you from having to pay back your student loans, but Chapter 13 helps you get a handle on the payments.
A Chapter 13 bankruptcy may also erase up to 100% of your unsecured debt; credit cards, medical bills, store cards and personal loans.
At present, Americans owe $829 billion in student loans. If a student falls behind in their student loan payments, the Department of Education is legally allowed to implement the following collection methods:
• Wage garnishment without a court order
• Suspension of state professional license
• Garnishment of social security/disability income
• Withholding IRS tax refunds
Chapter 13 bankruptcy stops all of these harsh collection methods and allows a student a little breathing room to pay what they can out of their budget. Many Chapter 13 cases are spread out over 5 years allowing a student plenty of time to discover new career opportunities and live comfortably without suffering from constant threats and harassment by SallieMae.
The following graphic illustrates the student loan racket: http://www.collegescholarships.org/research/student-loans/
To speak directly, one on one, with an experienced and knowledgeable Philadelphia Bankruptcy Lawyer, please contact the Dunne Law Offices at (215) 854-6342. We offer a free initial consultation for all consumer bankruptcy matters.
The Dunne Law Offices, P.C. is a debt relief agency. The Dunne Law Offices, P.C. helps people file for bankruptcy relief under the bankruptcy code.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Consumer Laws That Protect Your Money
Most financial transactions involving consumers are covered by consumer protection laws. These include transactions involving credit, charge, and debit cards issued by banks and credit cards issued by retail stores; ATM transactions and other electronic fund transfers; deposit account transactions; automobile leases; mortgages and home equity loans; and lines of credit and other unsecured credit.
The following is a short list of consumer laws that will empower you!
• Fair Housing Act (1968) Prohibits discrimination in the extension of housing credit on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, or family status.
• Truth in Lending Act (1968) Requires uniform methods for computing the cost of credit and for disclosing credit terms. Gives borrowers the right to cancel, within three days, certain loans secured by their residences. Prohibits the unsolicited issuance of credit cards and limits cardholder liability for unauthorized use. Also imposes limitations on home equity loans with rates or fees above a specified threshold.
• Fair Credit Reporting Act (1970) Protects consumers against inaccurate or misleading information in credit files maintained by credit-reporting agencies; requires credit reporting agencies to allow credit applicants to correct erroneous reports.
• Fair Credit Billing Act (1974) Specifies how creditors must respond to billing-error complaints from consumers; imposes requirements to ensure that creditors handle accounts fairly and promptly. Applies primarily to credit and charge card accounts (for example, store card and bank card accounts).
• Equal Credit Opportunity Act (1974) Prohibits discrimination in credit transactions on several bases, including sex, marital status, age, race, religion, color, national origin, the receipt of public assistance funds, or the exercise of any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. Requires creditors to grant credit to qualified individuals without requiring cosignature by spouses, to inform unsuccessful applicants in writing of the reasons credit was denied, and to allow married individuals to have credit histories on jointly held accounts maintained in the names of both spouses. Also entitles a borrower to a copy of a real estate appraisal report.
• Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of (1974) Requires that the nature and costs of real estate settlements be disclosed to borrowers. Also protects borrowers against abusive practices, such as kickbacks, and limits the use of escrow accounts.
• Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of (1975) Requires mortgage lenders to annually disclose to the public data about the geographic distribution of their applications, originations, and purchases of home-purchase and home-improvement loans and refinancings. Requires lenders to report data on the ethnicity, race, sex, income of applicants and borrowers, and other data. Also directs the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, of which the Federal Reserve is a member, to make summaries of the data available to the public.
• Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (1977) Prohibits abusive debt collection practices. Applies to banks that function as debt collectors for other entities.
• Home Equity Loan Consumer Protection Act of (1988) Requires creditors to provide consumers with detailed information about open-end credit plans secured by the consumer's dwelling.
• Truth in Savings Act (1991) Requires that depository institutions disclose to depositors certain account information about their accounts—including the annual percentage yield, which must be calculated in a uniform manner—and prohibits certain methods of calculating interest.
• Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of (1994) Provides additional disclosure requirements and substantive limitations on home-equity loans with rates or fees above a certain percentage or amount.
To speak directly, one on one, with an experienced and knowledgeable Philadelphia Bankruptcy Lawyer, please contact the Dunne Law Offices at (215) 854-6342 or send an email with any questions to dunnelawoffices@gmail.com. We offer a free initial consultation for all consumer bankruptcy matters.
Consumer Laws That Protect Your Money
Most financial transactions involving consumers are covered by consumer protection laws. These include transactions involving credit, charge, and debit cards issued by banks and credit cards issued by retail stores; ATM transactions and other electronic fund transfers; deposit account transactions; automobile leases; mortgages and home equity loans; and lines of credit and other unsecured credit.
The following is a short list of consumer laws that will empower you!
• Fair Housing Act (1968) Prohibits discrimination in the extension of housing credit on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, or family status.
• Truth in Lending Act (1968) Requires uniform methods for computing the cost of credit and for disclosing credit terms. Gives borrowers the right to cancel, within three days, certain loans secured by their residences. Prohibits the unsolicited issuance of credit cards and limits cardholder liability for unauthorized use. Also imposes limitations on home equity loans with rates or fees above a specified threshold.
• Fair Credit Reporting Act (1970) Protects consumers against inaccurate or misleading information in credit files maintained by credit-reporting agencies; requires credit reporting agencies to allow credit applicants to correct erroneous reports.
• Fair Credit Billing Act (1974) Specifies how creditors must respond to billing-error complaints from consumers; imposes requirements to ensure that creditors handle accounts fairly and promptly. Applies primarily to credit and charge card accounts (for example, store card and bank card accounts).
• Equal Credit Opportunity Act (1974) Prohibits discrimination in credit transactions on several bases, including sex, marital status, age, race, religion, color, national origin, the receipt of public assistance funds, or the exercise of any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. Requires creditors to grant credit to qualified individuals without requiring cosignature by spouses, to inform unsuccessful applicants in writing of the reasons credit was denied, and to allow married individuals to have credit histories on jointly held accounts maintained in the names of both spouses. Also entitles a borrower to a copy of a real estate appraisal report.
• Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of (1974) Requires that the nature and costs of real estate settlements be disclosed to borrowers. Also protects borrowers against abusive practices, such as kickbacks, and limits the use of escrow accounts.
• Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of (1975) Requires mortgage lenders to annually disclose to the public data about the geographic distribution of their applications, originations, and purchases of home-purchase and home-improvement loans and refinancings. Requires lenders to report data on the ethnicity, race, sex, income of applicants and borrowers, and other data. Also directs the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, of which the Federal Reserve is a member, to make summaries of the data available to the public.
• Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (1977) Prohibits abusive debt collection practices. Applies to banks that function as debt collectors for other entities.
• Home Equity Loan Consumer Protection Act of (1988) Requires creditors to provide consumers with detailed information about open-end credit plans secured by the consumer's dwelling.
• Truth in Savings Act (1991) Requires that depository institutions disclose to depositors certain account information about their accounts—including the annual percentage yield, which must be calculated in a uniform manner—and prohibits certain methods of calculating interest.
• Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of (1994) Provides additional disclosure requirements and substantive limitations on home-equity loans with rates or fees above a certain percentage or amount.
To speak directly, one on one, with an experienced and knowledgeable Philadelphia Bankruptcy Lawyer, please contact the Dunne Law Offices at (215) 854-6342 or send an email with any questions to dunnelawoffices@gmail.com. We offer a free initial consultation for all consumer bankruptcy matters.
Consumer Laws That Protect Your Money
Most financial transactions involving consumers are covered by consumer protection laws. These include transactions involving credit, charge, and debit cards issued by banks and credit cards issued by retail stores; ATM transactions and other electronic fund transfers; deposit account transactions; automobile leases; mortgages and home equity loans; and lines of credit and other unsecured credit.
The following is a short list of consumer laws that will empower you!
• Fair Housing Act (1968) Prohibits discrimination in the extension of housing credit on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, or family status.
• Truth in Lending Act (1968) Requires uniform methods for computing the cost of credit and for disclosing credit terms. Gives borrowers the right to cancel, within three days, certain loans secured by their residences. Prohibits the unsolicited issuance of credit cards and limits cardholder liability for unauthorized use. Also imposes limitations on home equity loans with rates or fees above a specified threshold.
• Fair Credit Reporting Act (1970) Protects consumers against inaccurate or misleading information in credit files maintained by credit-reporting agencies; requires credit reporting agencies to allow credit applicants to correct erroneous reports.
• Fair Credit Billing Act (1974) Specifies how creditors must respond to billing-error complaints from consumers; imposes requirements to ensure that creditors handle accounts fairly and promptly. Applies primarily to credit and charge card accounts (for example, store card and bank card accounts).
• Equal Credit Opportunity Act (1974) Prohibits discrimination in credit transactions on several bases, including sex, marital status, age, race, religion, color, national origin, the receipt of public assistance funds, or the exercise of any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. Requires creditors to grant credit to qualified individuals without requiring cosignature by spouses, to inform unsuccessful applicants in writing of the reasons credit was denied, and to allow married individuals to have credit histories on jointly held accounts maintained in the names of both spouses. Also entitles a borrower to a copy of a real estate appraisal report.
• Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of (1974) Requires that the nature and costs of real estate settlements be disclosed to borrowers. Also protects borrowers against abusive practices, such as kickbacks, and limits the use of escrow accounts.
• Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of (1975) Requires mortgage lenders to annually disclose to the public data about the geographic distribution of their applications, originations, and purchases of home-purchase and home-improvement loans and refinancings. Requires lenders to report data on the ethnicity, race, sex, income of applicants and borrowers, and other data. Also directs the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, of which the Federal Reserve is a member, to make summaries of the data available to the public.
• Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (1977) Prohibits abusive debt collection practices. Applies to banks that function as debt collectors for other entities.
• Home Equity Loan Consumer Protection Act of (1988) Requires creditors to provide consumers with detailed information about open-end credit plans secured by the consumer's dwelling.
• Truth in Savings Act (1991) Requires that depository institutions disclose to depositors certain account information about their accounts—including the annual percentage yield, which must be calculated in a uniform manner—and prohibits certain methods of calculating interest.
• Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of (1994) Provides additional disclosure requirements and substantive limitations on home-equity loans with rates or fees above a certain percentage or amount.
To speak directly, one on one, with an experienced and knowledgeable Philadelphia Bankruptcy Lawyer, please contact the Dunne Law Offices at (215) 854-6342 or send an email with any questions to dunnelawoffices@gmail.com. We offer a free initial consultation for all consumer bankruptcy matters.