The 16th annual Homeownership Fair is being conducted by the DuPage Homeownership Center in Wheaton, IL. This year’s event is scheduled for March 1 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. 
Credit and Debt Blog
A Service of Debtors Unite, Inc.
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25
Feb 2008
Annual DuPage Homeownership Fair
Wake Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens signed the order to block The Consumer Law Center and Hess-Kennedy Chartered LLC from providing debt settlement services in North Carolina. According to Attorney General Roy Cooper, clients were often left in worse shape than when they first sought help.
21
Feb 2008
Chico State Offers Student Credit Counseling
Students are the primary target of credit card issuers seeking to expand their membership. As evidenced by studies conducted by Sallie Mae, credit card debt held by students continues to rise.
A unique program offered at California State University, Chico provides credit counseling to students. It is known as Credit CATS, or Credit Counseling Aimed Toward Students.
Low income families that are not required to file tax returns should file Form 1040A in order to receive stimulus payments this year. Otherwise, they may not receive any payments.
Stimulus payments will be available to those who file Form 1040A (or other tax forms) who earned at least $3,000 during 2007. This may include those receiving social security or other payments.
Many people who receive social security benefits also earn some supplemental income through part-time jobs, sale of crafts or other similar means of financial support. Those earning at least $3,000 can file a tax return through volunteers for free, thereby making themselves eligible for the $300 stimulus payment.
In a proposed bill co-sponsored by Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia, Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander wants Congress to provide tax credits of up to $15,000 over three years to those who buy new and foreclosed homes. Alexander pointed to a similar strategy used in the 1970’s to stimulate demand for home purchases.
12
Feb 2008
Project MedFICO in Development
One of the newest major projects undertaken by Fair Isaac Corporation is a medical version of a credit score. Since medical bills are not repaid with the same regularity as other bills, this new tool is seen as a way to provide greater predictability of repayment to medical service providers.
Affectionately known as MedFICO, this project is currently under development and could be available for commercial sale by the end of 2008.
06
Feb 2008
Data Breach at Georgetown University
Georgetown University announced the theft of an external hard drive which contained 38,000 social security numbers belonging to current students, staff and alumni from 1998 to 2006. The hard drive was first reported missing on January 3.
05
Feb 2008
Service Sector Shows Economic Contraction
An early report by the Institute for Supply Management shows that the non-manufacturing (mostly service sector) index fell to 41.9 in January. Any reading below 50 is considered a contraction.
This is a huge variance from bullish economists that expected a 53 reading. It is also a clear sign that recession is ominous. Investors agreed, sending stock prices immediately tumbling.
Stone Street Capital is one of many firms that specialize in the purchasing of structured settlements. They frequently advertise on late night television when ad spots are cheaper and financially troubled people are still awake due to stress.
There are few protections for people who unwittingly sell their stake in structured settlements for an upfront payment. However, a Rhode Island state law passed in 2001 requires judges to determine if such transactions are in the best interests of the payee.
04
Feb 2008
IRS Rebates Focus of Scammers
Scammers have been contacting taxpayers while posing as Internal Revenue Service employees. The goal is to get valuable personal information, including your social security number in order to commit fraud and identity theft.
