Ask Chuck: Will Closing My Credit Cards Ruin My Credit Score?
Dear Chuck, My husband and I fell on rough times and as a result, ended up with a LOT of credit card debt. We have prayed, worked hard, and paid it down as much as we can but still have some left. Together we have approximately 15 credit card accounts but only two have balances […]
Ask Chuck: What To Do About the Equifax Breach?
Dear Chuck, This Equifax security breach has me really concerned. What does it mean if I am among the millions who had their information stolen? What should I do to keep my identity safe? Thanks, Looking for the Facts Dear Looking for the Facts, You have every right to be concerned! Equifax is one […]
What Does the Bible Say About Credit Cards?
The Bible contains more verses about money than it does about Heaven and Hell combined. Why? Because God created us and knows the role that money plays in our lives. But across all 2,350 verses about money, not one of them says that borrowing, or being in debt, is forbidden. The Bible does not contain […]
Ask Chuck – Buying a House
Dear Chuck, My wife and I have been renting for five years and want to buy a home. Could you share any tips so we can make a wise decision? Hopeful Homeowner Dear Hopeful, I commend you for seeking counsel in what’s typically the largest purchase of a lifetime. Assuming you’ve compared the costs […]
5 Steps to Stop Losing Sleep Over Money
Dear Chuck, I’m losing sleep over money worries. Seriously. Sometimes the stress of figuring out how to balance debt, bills and life is almost more than I can stand. Where do I begin? Sleepless in America Dear Sleepless, I know how you feel. I was once there myself during a time when I had […]
Be wary of “add-on” credit card services
By Chuck Bentley Citigroup will issue refunds to 8.8 million consumers totaling $700 million for worthless add-on credit card products or services. In one allegation, Citi telemarketers were said to have sold consumers identity theft protection services with a 30-day “free” trial, when no such free trial existed. Or they signed up consumers for an add-on […]
Take Advantage of Free Credit Reports
By Andrew Pryor for Sound Mind Investing When purchasing my current home, I met with a mortgage lender who, as standard procedure, had pulled my credit report. To my dismay, there appeared on the list numerous credit accounts that I had closed years earlier. There were others that I forgot I even had (remember that […]
Identity theft
What is identity theft? James E. Bauer, deputy assistant director of the Office of Investigations for the U.S. Secret Service said, “Ready or not, here it comes: identity takeover fraud has come into its own and promises not to go away until significant changes evolve in the manner and methods by which personal identifiers are […]