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Ten payday lenders, defined as a company that lends money at usually high interest rates against an upcoming paycheck, are facing Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges regarding advertising and collection tactics.

The Nevada government added to the federal charges, which allege that payday lenders did not disclose important information about the loans and that their collection tactics were “abusive”.  Potential customers were told that they could borrow several hundred dollars for a fee ranging from $35 to $80 provided that the amount was repaid in the next week.   Borrowers had to provide the companies, some of them based in the United Kingdom, with their bank and social security information.

During repayment, special clauses that the government contends were not disclosed to borrowers would cause the loan amount to increase by many times over.  If the borrower terminated the lender’s access to the account, they were subject to what the government called “abusive” collection tactics.  Borrowers were allegedly told they were subject to arrest or property seizure.

he corporate defendants are Cash Today, Ltd., The Heathmill Village, Ltd., Leads Global, Inc., Waterfront Investments, Inc., ACH Cash, Inc., HBS Services, Inc., Lotus Leads, Inc., First4Leads, Inc., Rovinge International, Inc., and The Harris Holdings, Ltd., each also doing business as Cash Today, Route 66 Funding, Global Financial Services International, Ltd., Interim Cash, Ltd., and BIG-INT, Ltd. The individual defendants are Aaron Gershfield, Ivor Gershfield, and Jim Harris.

Tough economic times can sometimes cause consumers to seek alternative income or lending sources.  As always, checking the lender’s reputation with your local consumer affairs office — at either the local or state level — is the best course of action before borrowing from any well-known lender.

Posted under Finance

Four “debt negotiation” companies have settled government charges that they acted improperly by promising consumers debt services they could not provide. The companies will cease operating and pay more than a quarter-million dollars in fines.

The companies involved are National Support Services LLC, Homeland Financial Services LLC, Financial Liberty Services LLC, and United Debt Recovery LLC.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was the lead agency involved in reaching a resolution with the companies.  The settlement allows the companies and individuals to avoid trials or even an admission of guilt.  The government agency will also be permitted to monitor future actions from the accused.

We often warn consumers about aggressive “credit repair” specialists and others who claim to have more authority to help consumers with burdensome debt.  The federal government’s communications group, the FCIC, has great advice detailing your rights and suggestions for getting out of debt.

As consumers greet the continuing collapse of Wall Street and supposedly safe investments, in addition to bank failures, there is no shame and should be no fear in contacting your bank or other creditors.  The information at this site will show you how.

Posted under Finance

The NASD Investor Education Foundation has launched a comprehensive new campaign to deliver financial education tools and training to members of the military and their spouses. The campaign is designed to help military personnel and their families manage their money with confidence by providing financial education programs, information and publications, as well as a new Web site — SaveAndInvest.org.

Many servicemembers report having difficulty covering expenses and saving for the future. Research conducted in June 2005 found that only 29 percent of military personnel who currently invest received a passing grade on a quiz about basic financial knowledge. However, 58 percent of survey respondents said that it was very important to them that they become more knowledgeable about saving and investing. Sixty-two percent indicated that they plan to increase their investment levels in the next year.

“We know that military personnel want and need objective, unbiased information to help them make sound financial decisions,” said Robert R. Glauber, Chairman of the NASD Investor Education Foundation, who also serves as Chairman and CEO of NASD. “The NASD Foundation is pleased to launch our new campaign to provide financial training and tools to military families and to be working in this effort with the Department of Defense and all branches of the military.”

The Foundation, through partnerships with organizations already working with the military community, will provide financial training programs for spouses as well as for on-base financial counselors. The Foundation will also fund the development of publications and resources aimed at providing military personnel with information relevant to their unique needs and lifestyles. A new Web site, SaveAndInvest.org, will cater to the military community and provide useful tools and up-to-date information.

“Family separations resulting from duty stations changes and deployments away from home often put additional financial stress on military families,” said Mary Schapiro, a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors and also Vice-Chairman of NASD. “Given the fact that military families are often on the move, we are committed to making sure servicemembers and their spouses have access to easy-to-use tools and financial education materials wherever they are.”

“Financial preparedness is a key component of military readiness,” said David S.C. Chu, Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. “Equipping servicemembers with the tools and resources they need to make sound financial decisions is integral to both military readiness and the strength and stability of our service members and their families.”

The Foundation’s military financial education programs are being funded by fines levied against First Command Financial Planning, Inc. for misleading sales practices related to the sale of systematic investment plans to military personnel. Over $5 million in restitution was paid to individual investors and the remaining funds are being used to fund education and training programs for military personnel and their families.

The NASD Foundation has joined forces with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Military Family Association (NMFA), the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE), the InCharge Education Foundation, the National Endowment for Financial Education, the American Savings Education Council, CincHouse.com and the Consumer Federation of America to develop programs, provide training, and distribute information and resources to the military community. Program and services are aimed at both servicemembers and their spouses.

“Our collaboration with the NASD Investor Education Foundation will expand and enhance the opportunities we offer our military families,” said Tanna Schmidli, NMFA Chairman of the Board. “With their support, we have worked with the AFCPE to launch the Military Spouse Fellowship for the Accredited Financial Counselor™ program. This wonderful Fellowship will provide spouses with the education necessary for entry into the financial counseling and education field. We have already seen tremendous interest in the program and look forward to implementing the Fellowship with great success.”

Posted under Customer Service