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Widespread Mortgage Fraud Threatens America's Homeowners
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The real estate boom and refinancing craze of recent years has meant
record profits for institutions that originate mortgage loans. But this boom
has a dark side for unwitting consumers. Many appraisers -- responding to
increased pressure from loan originators in a highly competitive
marketplace -- are inflating property values during the buying and refinancing
of homes.
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Say goodbye to record-low rates
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Seven interest rate hikes are now in the books, with the fed funds rate now up to 2.75 percent from the 40-year lows of 1%. So what are all these quarter-point interest rate moves adding up to? And more importantly, what significance might the rate moves made since last summer have in the coming months and years?
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With credit card debt, locking in fixed rates is not an option
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On Tuesday, the Federal Reserve raised its key federal funds rate by one-quarter percentage point to 2.75 percent, making the seventh increase of that size since June 2004. With credit card debt, locking in fixed rates is not an option and the issuer of the credit card has considerable flexibility to change the terms at any time, sometimes with as little as two weeks notice.
So when it comes to credit cards 'the best defense is a good offense,' said Greg McBride, a financial analyst with Bankrate.com in North Palm Beach, Fla. 'Pay down any credit card debt as aggressively as you can.'
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A bankrupt bill: Credit industry benefits from one-sided reforms
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At the behest of the credit industry, Republicans in Congress are asking the American people to believe that the preponderance of bankruptcy filings occur as the result of cheats, spendthrifts and irresponsible binge buyers gaming the system to stick creditors with the bills.
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CEO Provides Expert Testimony in Congressional Hearing on Identity Theft
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Mr. Ansanelli's testimony focused on the impact of identity theft on consumers and business and his suggestions on how to better prevent the loss of consumer data. He advised congress that in order to reduce identity theft, policies must focus on not just the criminals, but also the consumers and organizations that store the data.
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