You Can Run But You Can't Hide From Your Debt

Technology advances occur frequently. Technology has allowed creditors, debt collectors and some state taxing authorities the ability to search for consumers on the internet use social media networks such as Facebook, Myspace,Twitter, Linkedin and other sites to find consumers. This seems extreme but it is legal.  

According to the Fair Debt Practices Collection Act (FFDPCA), debt collectors can contact your family and friends to find your location or get other personal information such as your address, email address or phone number.  If you posted your contact information including your current employer on your social media profile you may soon be getting emails, phone calls or visits from your debt collectors.

What if a debt collector contacted someone who is listed as a friend on your social media profile? How embarrassing would that be? With the frequent consumer data breaches and lack of strong security protections on Facebook and other social media profiles it is not too hard to find anyone these days. This could also affect your employment status since many employers verify if potential candidates or employees have social media profiles.

If you use social media networks and are in debt, you presence on them can increase your chances of your creditors and debt collectors finding you. The IRS has not confirmed whether they use social media networks to find taxpayers who owe back taxes but I assume they probably do. However, tax agents cannot friend a consumer who owes back taxes on a social media site but that probably doesn’t stop them from doing it.  Here are some ways you can be found on the internet:

1.      Internet search engines
2.      Motor vehicle records
3.      Chat rooms and forums
4.      Social media networks
5.      Employment records
6.      Tax records
7.      Bank records
8.      Public inquiries at local businesses such as groceries stories, barbershops, church meetings, social and civic meetings, etc.
9.      Posts you made about an article or video or post you made on a website

Contact your creditors and debt collectors before they contact you to setup a payment plan or request a financial hardship. Follow-up with a letter confirming the agreement and stick to the agreement.  It is better to be safe than sorry.

Is a Prepaid Card Right for You

                                          

A prepaid card should be used in addition to having a traditional bank account but should not solely for money transactions. Prepaid cards work similar to debit cards for making payments or purchasing items.

Prepaid cards are helpful for those who cannot get a credit card or open a bank account due to bad credit. Prepaid cards are also helpful if you don’t want to carry large amounts of cash but should only be used as a temporary measure until your financial situation improves. 

Prepaid cards have activation fees, monthly fees and other hidden fees.  Some prepaid cards have activation fees up to $39.95 but most fees range from $2.95 - $9.95. They also have less protection against loss or theft. Be sure that the bank prepaid card you use is FDIC insured. 

Some consumers have been scammed by companies regarding prepaid cards. Purchase prepaid cards with traditional well-known banks such as those with the Visa, MasterCard or American Express logo. 

Many non-financial companies also offer prepaid cards such as Facebook which is available at Target and Wal-Mart. The cards can be used to purchase Facebook credits which are applied to purchase games or other applications. Comparison shop and read all the fine print before choosing a prepaid card.

Prepaid credit cards may help control your spending. You can control over your spending limits and are great option for teens or college students. Once you activate the card you are able to start using it. Each time you make a purchase the amount is automatically deducted from your card balance. This forces you to keep track of your balance so you will never go over your limit because you can only spend the money you have on your card.  

How they work

1. No credit check
2. No minimum balance and free direct deposit
3. Accepted at many locations
4. Returning goods or canceling services treated the same as cash
5. Activation fees range from $5.95 - $39.95.
6. Can be used at ATMs
7. Can’t go into debt
8. Must be 18 to purchase
9. If the bank goes bankrupt your money on the prepaid card may be lost forever
10. Unable to exceed the spending limit if needed. 
11. May dispute unauthorized charges or other mistakes within 60 days.
12. Every bank determines what protections are available if any and sets its own policy for prepaid cards. 
13. May reduce your risk of identity theft.

What They Don’t Have

1. The bank may not be FDIC insured.
2. Prepaid cards are not reported on your credit report and cannot help rebuild your credit.
3. No protection against theft and scams. 
4. If your prepaid card is stolen the thief has access to all of the money on your card.
5. Some banks may assess overdraft fees even if the card was stolen.
6. Not regulated by Electronic Funds Transfer Act which governs debit card transactions.