The recent economic downturn has created financial difficulties for many consumers. As a result, the number of vehicle repossessions has increased in recent years. There is also evidence that a higher number of wrongful repossessions are taking place, which presents problems for consumers who may not fully understand their legal rights and consequently may fail to act when their vehicles are wrongfully repossessed. In most cases, lenders cannot repossess your vehicle unless certain conditions are met; these include:
your loan must be in default at the time of the repossession
if late payments have been repeatedly accepted, the lender must give you advance warning in writing of their intent to repossess the vehicle
Also, some actions taken by the repo company may also be illegal. For example, the repossession company can't threaten you or your family with physical harm or use force against you. Repo companies are also forbidden from breaking into your home or locked garage or using a master or duplicate key to gain entry to a locked area. These acts are considered a breach of the peace and usually lead to a wrongful repossession .
If my vehicle was wrongfully repossessed, what should I do?
If you believe the lender or repossession company acted improperly in repossessing your vehicle, it's essential to obtain competent legal advice about your options. An attorney specializing in consumer credit and repossession issues can advise you about your legal rights, including the right to sue the lender or repossession company for damages. You may be able to collect damages that can sometimes exceed the value of the repossessed vehicle and any deficiency balance you owe.
Document every interaction you have with the lender and the repo company. This information will be important in the event you do end up in court. And if an agent of the repossession company or the lender broke into your property illegally, make sure to report this to the police. Even though law enforcement officials will not usually interfere in repossessions, having the complaint on record can help your case in any legal proceedings you decide to pursue. If you or any of your family members have been assaulted or harassed by the repo company, report these actions to the police department as well.
Showing posts with label After. Show all posts
Showing posts with label After. Show all posts
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Friday, June 15, 2012
Borrowing After Bankruptcy: 4 Tips On Improving Credit And Securing A Loan
Bankruptcy is a stressful process altogether, yet a great relief from most, if not all, of your overwhelming debts. Once the bankruptcy has been discharged, most people wonder if they would be able to borrow again. Besides giving you a clean slate, bankruptcy also puts a serious mark on your credit, signaling potential lenders that you have chosen to give up on your financial obligations once already. Bankruptcy filing may stay on your credit report for up to 10 years; however, it does not mean you would not be able to get loans and credit cards for that long. There are certain steps you may take to increase the chances of being approved for credit and to pose as a trustworthy borrower to lenders.
Get Secured Credit Cards to Boost Your Credit
Do not even dream of getting credit cards right after bankruptcy everybody you will apply with would simply reject you. While you may not be eligible for unsecured revolving lines of credit, most banks would gladly approve you for a secured credit card. The way secured credit cards work is very simple: you open a savings account with your credit card issuer, where money is held in escrow, and you get a credit card with credit limit being equal to your security deposit. Secured credit cards are being reported to credit bureaus in exactly the same way as traditional credit cards. As credit card debt accounts for 35% of your credit score, opening a couple of secured credit cards would greatly improve your credit ranking in as little as few months.
Show Responsible Banking Behavior
In addition to opening secured credit card accounts, it is recommended to demonstrate responsible banking behavior. Make sure you have both, a checking and a savings accounts open, and contribute a little from every paycheck towards your savings. Banks love people who are able to save, as they typically are more responsible and pose less risk of loan default. In addition, putting some money aside every pay period would help you to build an emergency fund for unforeseen expenses. Needless to say, that you should not bounce checks and go over your available checking account balance, as such is a clear indicator to lenders that your finances are a mess.
Apply for Small Loans First
Nobody is going to lend you a good chunk of money right after bankruptcy. However, few lenders may entrust you small amounts, typically ranging from 0 to ,000. While interest rates and terms on loans for people with freshly discharged bankruptcy are far from desired, such loans give you an excellent chance to prove that you have learned your lesson and are responsible with borrowing money. In addition, personal loans report to your credit file, further improving your credit score and reestablishing your credit history.
Use a Cosigner
If you have a family member or a friend whom you may ask to serve as guarantor on your loan, you should definitely exercise such an opportunity. Using a cosigner not only improves your chances of securing a loan but also saves you a good deal of money, as cosigned loans have lower interest rates and fees. Before taking a cosigned loan out always ensure you would be able to repay the loan on time, as failure to make your scheduled monthly payments would make your cosigner liable to repay the loan.
Despite following all above tips on improving credit rating, some borrowers may experience difficulties obtaining loans from traditional institutions: banks, credit unions, and credit card companies. The best way to secure a loan after bankruptcy is to use the services of nontraditional online lenders, as they have less stringent application requirements and are able to approve people even with major credit problems.
Get Secured Credit Cards to Boost Your Credit
Do not even dream of getting credit cards right after bankruptcy everybody you will apply with would simply reject you. While you may not be eligible for unsecured revolving lines of credit, most banks would gladly approve you for a secured credit card. The way secured credit cards work is very simple: you open a savings account with your credit card issuer, where money is held in escrow, and you get a credit card with credit limit being equal to your security deposit. Secured credit cards are being reported to credit bureaus in exactly the same way as traditional credit cards. As credit card debt accounts for 35% of your credit score, opening a couple of secured credit cards would greatly improve your credit ranking in as little as few months.
Show Responsible Banking Behavior
In addition to opening secured credit card accounts, it is recommended to demonstrate responsible banking behavior. Make sure you have both, a checking and a savings accounts open, and contribute a little from every paycheck towards your savings. Banks love people who are able to save, as they typically are more responsible and pose less risk of loan default. In addition, putting some money aside every pay period would help you to build an emergency fund for unforeseen expenses. Needless to say, that you should not bounce checks and go over your available checking account balance, as such is a clear indicator to lenders that your finances are a mess.
Apply for Small Loans First
Nobody is going to lend you a good chunk of money right after bankruptcy. However, few lenders may entrust you small amounts, typically ranging from 0 to ,000. While interest rates and terms on loans for people with freshly discharged bankruptcy are far from desired, such loans give you an excellent chance to prove that you have learned your lesson and are responsible with borrowing money. In addition, personal loans report to your credit file, further improving your credit score and reestablishing your credit history.
Use a Cosigner
If you have a family member or a friend whom you may ask to serve as guarantor on your loan, you should definitely exercise such an opportunity. Using a cosigner not only improves your chances of securing a loan but also saves you a good deal of money, as cosigned loans have lower interest rates and fees. Before taking a cosigned loan out always ensure you would be able to repay the loan on time, as failure to make your scheduled monthly payments would make your cosigner liable to repay the loan.
Despite following all above tips on improving credit rating, some borrowers may experience difficulties obtaining loans from traditional institutions: banks, credit unions, and credit card companies. The best way to secure a loan after bankruptcy is to use the services of nontraditional online lenders, as they have less stringent application requirements and are able to approve people even with major credit problems.
Friday, April 20, 2012
After Hard Times A Bankruptcy Car Loan Can Be Your Best Ally
After hard times, a bankruptcy car loan can be your best ally. The quickest way to rebuild your credit score is by committing to an auto loan and making the payments in a responsible way.
A bankruptcy car loan can be the key factor in that fresh new start toward rebuilding your credit. In this article we will talk about the best way to use a car loan after bankruptcy as an answer to establishing your new financial future.
Use the Internet to find local auto dealers or an auto consultant, if you don't know of any, who will offer you special financing for a bankruptcy car loan. Not all dealers offer this service.
Visit a couple of these special financing dealerships and determine if it feels like a good fit for you. By asking a few questions you will get a feel of the type of people you will be working with. You want to work with someone who listens to you and helps you meet your needs and wants.
One source that most people don't think about for special financing is to look for an auto consultant that offers these services. Usually an auto consultant (not an auto salesman) is more willing to work with you and will listen to you instead of just trying to sell you a car today.
Bankruptcy can be emotionally tough on anyone. The dealership should treat you will compassion and understanding. They should appear eager and willing to help you just as they would help someone with a perfect credit score. Finding a special financing dealership that treats you with dignity will help give you peace of mind that they will get you the best deal possible.
Next, decide on a used car that suits your family's needs. Look for a car that has lower mileage and has been safety inspected and has a good history report. Take the car for a drive and see how it feels to you.
Before signing on the dotted line you want to make sure you can make the monthly payments easily each month. Take a look at your monthly income and be sure you have enough money every month for the payment, insurance and maintenance on the car.
Once you are confident that the bankruptcy car loan will work with the rest of your monthly bills, you are ready to sign the papers and move forward with your purchase.
As you drive your new used car off the parking lot know that getting a bankruptcy car loan is the greatest step you can take to rebuilding your financial future. Be sure and make all your payments on time, as this is one of the quickest ways to help rebuild your credit.
A bankruptcy car loan can be the key factor in that fresh new start toward rebuilding your credit. In this article we will talk about the best way to use a car loan after bankruptcy as an answer to establishing your new financial future.
Use the Internet to find local auto dealers or an auto consultant, if you don't know of any, who will offer you special financing for a bankruptcy car loan. Not all dealers offer this service.
Visit a couple of these special financing dealerships and determine if it feels like a good fit for you. By asking a few questions you will get a feel of the type of people you will be working with. You want to work with someone who listens to you and helps you meet your needs and wants.
One source that most people don't think about for special financing is to look for an auto consultant that offers these services. Usually an auto consultant (not an auto salesman) is more willing to work with you and will listen to you instead of just trying to sell you a car today.
Bankruptcy can be emotionally tough on anyone. The dealership should treat you will compassion and understanding. They should appear eager and willing to help you just as they would help someone with a perfect credit score. Finding a special financing dealership that treats you with dignity will help give you peace of mind that they will get you the best deal possible.
Next, decide on a used car that suits your family's needs. Look for a car that has lower mileage and has been safety inspected and has a good history report. Take the car for a drive and see how it feels to you.
Before signing on the dotted line you want to make sure you can make the monthly payments easily each month. Take a look at your monthly income and be sure you have enough money every month for the payment, insurance and maintenance on the car.
Once you are confident that the bankruptcy car loan will work with the rest of your monthly bills, you are ready to sign the papers and move forward with your purchase.
As you drive your new used car off the parking lot know that getting a bankruptcy car loan is the greatest step you can take to rebuilding your financial future. Be sure and make all your payments on time, as this is one of the quickest ways to help rebuild your credit.
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