Authorized User Defense in a Debt Collection Lawsuit: Why You Aren’t Liable for Someone Else’s Credit Card Debt

Authorized User Credit Card Debt Lawsuit

If you were only an authorized user on a credit card, you are generally not legally responsible for the balance. The primary cardholder holds the liability. Debt buyers frequently sue authorized users by mistake because the generic spreadsheets they purchase often fail to distinguish between authorized users and joint account holders. Under federal law, the … Read more

How to Pay Off Credit Card Debt: A Working Plan Based on What You Can Actually Afford

How To Pay Off Credit Card Debt

The math of credit card debt is unforgiving. Paying only the minimum on a high interest account can trap you in a repayment cycle lasting 15 to 20 years. A successful payoff strategy depends entirely on your financial reality. You must match your plan to your budget surplus and your current credit score. If your … Read more

How to Negotiate Debt Yourself: Hardship Programs and Settlements

How To Negotiate Debt Yourself

Your ability to successfully negotiate debt depends entirely on two factors: how many days delinquent the account is, and whether the original creditor or a debt buyer owns it. If you are current on your payments, do not ask for a settlement. You must ask for a hardship program, which typically involves temporary rate reductions … Read more

Balance Transfer Cards for Debt: The 0% APR Strategy

Balance Transfer Credit Card Debt

A zero percent intro APR balance transfer is a powerful payoff tool, but it only works if you have good credit, disciplined spending habits, and the cash flow to clear the balance before the promo ends. Transfer fees typically consume three to five percent of your transferred balance upfront, meaning a ten thousand dollar transfer … Read more