2007 Cush City New Author Award - Please Vote For Me
Hi All, please vote for me for the Cush City 2007 New AuthorAwards. Thanks.
Nominations: January 8-February 28, 2007
Send an email to: nominations@cushcity.com.
In the SUBJECT OF THE E-MAILMESSAGE, PUT THE NAME OF THE AUTHOR YOU WISH TO NOMINATE PLUS "BESTNEW AUTHOR AWARD." (EXAMPLE: John Doe - Best New Author Award).All nominations must be submitted via e-mail. DO NOT send anyattachments with your nomination.
To see the list of current nominees, Visit the Cushcity.com website.
Harrine Freeman
Ezine Article Expert
CEO, H.E. Freeman Enterprises
Author of How to Get Out of Debt: Get an "A" Credit Rating For FreeUsing the System I've Used Successfully With Thousands of Clients
ISBN 1933949430
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
Why Items Stay On Your Credit Report for 7 Years
Did you ever wonder why a negative item has to stay on your credit report for 7 years. This question has been circulated for many years and no one was able to give an answer other than that is what is stated in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). I always wondered what the answer was myself but was never satisfied just knowing that someone just decided to use the magic number 7.
Well upon research I think I found out why creditors, banks and other companies you do business with keep an item an your credit report for 7 years . This is taken from the bible:
Prior to modern bankruptcy law, if a merchant in Italy could not pay his debts, his creditors would seek him out and break his work bench, so that he could not continue in business. They would take whatever assets he had and leave him destitute. From “break the bench” arose the word “bankrupt”.
Source: Iowa Bankruptcy Guide
Well upon research I think I found out why creditors, banks and other companies you do business with keep an item an your credit report for 7 years . This is taken from the bible:
[ The Year for Canceling Debts ] At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. Deuteronomy 15:1 (This law was put into effect to help the poor)
This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite. He shall not require payment from his fellow Israelite or brother, because the LORD's time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.
Deuteronomy 15:2
In the year of our forefathers, company principles were based on biblical principles. The lobbies of all government buildings and commercial building have either a biblical symbol of biblical quotes throughout the buildings.
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Source: Cruz Law, Based on an article by O. Max Gardner, III, Esquire
The Bible makes it clear that people are generally expected to pay their debts. Leviticus 25:39. No one will—or should—advance any argument against this general proposition.
Both Ezekiel 22:12 and Nehemiah 5:0-11 condemn lending money with interest, especially to the poor. And Ezekiel 18:13 list the taking of interest among sins worthy of death.
The current bankruptcy law passed by Congress and signed into law by the President in 2005 lacks any compassion for the poor, makes no redress to the modern day money changers who shamelessly peddle plastic at rates that would draw the Holy wrath of God himself, provides no relief but only additional misery to the families saddled with thousands of dollars in medical bills, and most importantly severely undermines the economic and social stability of the average American family. These Americans are like the farmers of the Old Testament who proclaimed to King Nehemiah, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our countrymen and though our sons are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others”. Nehemiah 5:3-5. Nehemiah responded to his people and ordered to “let the extracting of usury stop! Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses and also the usury you are charging them…”. Nehemiah 5:11.
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Religion played an important role in the establishment of the United States. Many of the first colonists came to America in search of religious freedom. The Declaration of Independence states that certain unalienable human rights originate from God. The First Amendment to the Constitution establishes the separation of church and state and protects the freedom of religious expression. In the centuries since our nation's founding, religious institutions have been at the forefront of many political movements. Religious groups created and sustained movements to promote the abolition of slavery, women's rights, prison reform, child welfare, worker protections, alcohol prohibition, civil rights, nuclear disarmament, and international peace.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the political landscape of American religion shifted. Several mainline Protestant denominations moved to the left and issued statements that resembled liberal political party platforms. But most evangelicals moved in the opposite direction. Their conservative political activism, led by the Moral Majority and the Christian Coalition, was sparked by the social changes in American life and the Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion.
Source:Wilsoncenter.org
Prior to modern bankruptcy law, if a merchant in Italy could not pay his debts, his creditors would seek him out and break his work bench, so that he could not continue in business. They would take whatever assets he had and leave him destitute. From “break the bench” arose the word “bankrupt”.
Source: Iowa Bankruptcy Guide
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Harrine Freeman to do Book Signing at Borders Books in Silver Spring MD
If you live in the DC/MD/VA area please come out to my book signing at Borders Books in Downtown Silver Spring, MD on February 24, 2007 from 1-5pm located at 8518 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Hope to see you there!
Harrine
Hope to see you there!
Harrine
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Credit Report Scams
From Dave Ramsey's website.
Credit Report Scam
By Erica in Texas
A couple of years ago my husband and I were finally able to start paying off some bad credit that both of us created before we met. So I saw a TV ad for the Free Credit Report website. I thought how wonderful, I could check to see who we needed to contact for our credit issues, and we could mend some old, bad habits.
I went to the website to sign up for the "free" credit report. I read all the fine print - or so I thought. About 20 days later when I went to pay for some groceries, my debit card was denied. So embarrassing. I went home and called our bank. Come to find out there were charges from a company in California that exceeded $250!
I was shocked and asked the bank for the company's information. I contacted them and found out that when I gave them my bank information, they signed me up for a credit watch. I was furious and demanded that they send me a contract showing I allowed them to do this. Several phone calls later, they still couldn't tell me where I had agreed to this service, so they said they would refund the money and stop the service. I stupidly believed them. A month later, no refund, and this time I was charged twice for this service. I tried to get a hold of the company but no answer.
Finally I just cancelled my bank account, so no further charges...but no refund either. $750 later, I have no more dealings with this company. I later told my sister in-law about the story, and she told me she too had dealt with them and lost money as well.
Now I know I can get a REAL free credit report on the internet from the credit bureaus. Get this now. I don't purchase anything on the internet unless I call the company first and get the real story.
Credit Report Scam
By Erica in Texas
A couple of years ago my husband and I were finally able to start paying off some bad credit that both of us created before we met. So I saw a TV ad for the Free Credit Report website. I thought how wonderful, I could check to see who we needed to contact for our credit issues, and we could mend some old, bad habits.
I went to the website to sign up for the "free" credit report. I read all the fine print - or so I thought. About 20 days later when I went to pay for some groceries, my debit card was denied. So embarrassing. I went home and called our bank. Come to find out there were charges from a company in California that exceeded $250!
I was shocked and asked the bank for the company's information. I contacted them and found out that when I gave them my bank information, they signed me up for a credit watch. I was furious and demanded that they send me a contract showing I allowed them to do this. Several phone calls later, they still couldn't tell me where I had agreed to this service, so they said they would refund the money and stop the service. I stupidly believed them. A month later, no refund, and this time I was charged twice for this service. I tried to get a hold of the company but no answer.
Finally I just cancelled my bank account, so no further charges...but no refund either. $750 later, I have no more dealings with this company. I later told my sister in-law about the story, and she told me she too had dealt with them and lost money as well.
Now I know I can get a REAL free credit report on the internet from the credit bureaus. Get this now. I don't purchase anything on the internet unless I call the company first and get the real story.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Beware of Advance Fee Loan Scams
BBB Warns that Advance Fee Loan Scams are Proliferating
[Arlington, VA, January 25, 2007] – The Better Business Bureau system today warned of a recent surge in advance fee loan scams.
Consumers across the U.S. and Canada are losing substantial sums of money, sometimes more than $1,000 per victim, responding to TV, newspaper or Web site advertisements that “guarantee” loans to people with poor credit.
“People with the poorest finances are being victimized. They don’t think they have any other option,” said Steve Cole, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.
Here’s how the scam works. The consumer calls a toll-free phone number listed in the ad. The person who answers “takes” their credit application over the phone or says they’ll send paperwork to complete. They are told they have been approved for a loan (from $5,000 to $100,000), and will receive the money once they pay a fee.
The “fee” is allegedly needed to cover the first loan payment or for “security and/or insurance”; some scammers call it a “premium” fee or a “processing fee;” others label it a “finder’s fee.”
The loan applicant is instructed to wire the money or send a money order. They never receive the loan and cannot recover their money. They also risk having their identity stolen if they provided their Social Security number or bank account number to a con artist.
Advance fee schemers commonly use a U.S. address (a P.O. Box or a mail drop), but direct consumers to send the “fee” to a location in Canada. The U.S. address turns out to be phony or non-existent.
Recent BBB investigations reveal an increase in bogus loan brokers who are impersonating legitimate lenders. They make illegal use of the names, logos and/or addresses of reputable financial institutions or organizations that have no affiliation or connection with the fraudulent operation.
“It is best to double-check any and all loan offers with the BBB to find out if the business can be trusted. We can tell you if other consumers have filed complaints and BBB staff can visit the place of business, check to see if it’s licensed and conduct other research to verify its legitimacy,” Cole said.
Remember, advance fee loan scams are illegal in the U.S. and Canada. The BBB advises people who need a loan to search locally for a reputable lender. Although legitimate lenders may charge application, appraisal or credit report fees, the fees generally are deducted from the loan amount.
In addition, there are nonprofit organizations in every state with trained credit counselors who can assist individuals with debt problems. Contact your local BBB for tips on selecting a trustworthy credit counseling organization.
Signs that the “Lender” is a Scammer
1. Pressures you to act immediately.
2. “Guaranteed” loans, even if you have bad credit, no credit or a bankruptcy.
3. Refuses to provide its street address location.
4. Demands that you wire or send money before you have a loan offer confirmed in writing.
5. Written communications contain typos and grammatical errors.
6. When you telephone, no one is ever “in”; your calls are not returned, or the voicemail box is always “full.”
7. Victims of bogus loan brokers are encouraged to file a complaint with the BBB (www.bbb.org). While the chance of recovering the payment fee is minimal, victims can provide information to help BBBs warn consumers and assist government investigations.
Taken from the Better Business Bureau website
[Arlington, VA, January 25, 2007] – The Better Business Bureau system today warned of a recent surge in advance fee loan scams.
Consumers across the U.S. and Canada are losing substantial sums of money, sometimes more than $1,000 per victim, responding to TV, newspaper or Web site advertisements that “guarantee” loans to people with poor credit.
“People with the poorest finances are being victimized. They don’t think they have any other option,” said Steve Cole, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.
Here’s how the scam works. The consumer calls a toll-free phone number listed in the ad. The person who answers “takes” their credit application over the phone or says they’ll send paperwork to complete. They are told they have been approved for a loan (from $5,000 to $100,000), and will receive the money once they pay a fee.
The “fee” is allegedly needed to cover the first loan payment or for “security and/or insurance”; some scammers call it a “premium” fee or a “processing fee;” others label it a “finder’s fee.”
The loan applicant is instructed to wire the money or send a money order. They never receive the loan and cannot recover their money. They also risk having their identity stolen if they provided their Social Security number or bank account number to a con artist.
Advance fee schemers commonly use a U.S. address (a P.O. Box or a mail drop), but direct consumers to send the “fee” to a location in Canada. The U.S. address turns out to be phony or non-existent.
Recent BBB investigations reveal an increase in bogus loan brokers who are impersonating legitimate lenders. They make illegal use of the names, logos and/or addresses of reputable financial institutions or organizations that have no affiliation or connection with the fraudulent operation.
“It is best to double-check any and all loan offers with the BBB to find out if the business can be trusted. We can tell you if other consumers have filed complaints and BBB staff can visit the place of business, check to see if it’s licensed and conduct other research to verify its legitimacy,” Cole said.
Remember, advance fee loan scams are illegal in the U.S. and Canada. The BBB advises people who need a loan to search locally for a reputable lender. Although legitimate lenders may charge application, appraisal or credit report fees, the fees generally are deducted from the loan amount.
In addition, there are nonprofit organizations in every state with trained credit counselors who can assist individuals with debt problems. Contact your local BBB for tips on selecting a trustworthy credit counseling organization.
Signs that the “Lender” is a Scammer
1. Pressures you to act immediately.
2. “Guaranteed” loans, even if you have bad credit, no credit or a bankruptcy.
3. Refuses to provide its street address location.
4. Demands that you wire or send money before you have a loan offer confirmed in writing.
5. Written communications contain typos and grammatical errors.
6. When you telephone, no one is ever “in”; your calls are not returned, or the voicemail box is always “full.”
7. Victims of bogus loan brokers are encouraged to file a complaint with the BBB (www.bbb.org). While the chance of recovering the payment fee is minimal, victims can provide information to help BBBs warn consumers and assist government investigations.
Taken from the Better Business Bureau website
Saturday, February 03, 2007
What Shall We Read For the Month of January
My book is featured on the What Shall We Read Segment. See below.
What Shall We Read? Part 1 on Vimeo
What Shall We Read? Part 1 on Vimeo
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Free Credit Repair Seminar on 2/7/07
If you live in DC/MD/VA, I will giving a Free Credit Repair Seminar at Martin Luther King Jr. Library at 901 G Street NW, Washington DC on February 7 from noon-1pm. Hope to see you there. Thanks.
Harrine Freeman
CEO H.E. Freeman Enterprises
www.hefreemanenterprises.com
Author of How to Get Out of Debt: Get an "A" Credit Rating For Free (ISBN 1933949430)
Available at Borders, Barnes & Noble, Walden Books, Books a Million, Walmart, Target, amazon.com, booksamillion, ecampus.com, overstock.com
Harrine Freeman
CEO H.E. Freeman Enterprises
www.hefreemanenterprises.com
Author of How to Get Out of Debt: Get an "A" Credit Rating For Free (ISBN 1933949430)
Available at Borders, Barnes & Noble, Walden Books, Books a Million, Walmart, Target, amazon.com, booksamillion, ecampus.com, overstock.com
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