Credit Advisor logo 4

GET OUT OF DEBT WITH NO REGRET

MEMBERS
Credit Advisor logo 4
MEMBERS

Avoid scams while finding help during quarantine

shutterstock_303643973

DISCLAIMER: As the COVID-19 public health situation evolves, new regulations are being continually issued. This page/story/information may not include the most recent information.

By Lois Greisman and Michael Herndon – APR 07, 2020

Older adults may be hard hit by the coronavirus – and scammers prey on that. If you or someone you know must stay at home and needs help with errands, you’ll want to know about this latest scam.

Scammers are offering help with errands, and running off with your money

If you’re an older adult or a caregiver for one, you may need help picking up groceries, prescriptions, and other necessary supplies. If someone you don’t know offers to help, be wary. Some scammers offer to buy supplies but never return with the goods or your money. It’s usually safer to find a trusted friend or neighbor or arrange a delivery with a well-known company.

If you’re ordering supplies online, know who you’re buying from. Online sellers  may claim to have in-demand products, like cleaning, household, and medical supplies when, in fact, they don’t. Use an established delivery service or order directly from the store. Many grocery stores and pharmacies are offering contactless delivery. If you need additional help for yourself or a loved one, the Eldercare Locator , a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, can connect you to services for older adults and their families. You can also call 1-800-677-1116.

Are you also helping to manage someone’s money?

If you’re helping with basics, you might also be managing money for someone and can’t be with them because of social distancing and quarantines. If so, here are some ideas.

  • Check in by phone or video chat. Stay in touch to know how they’re handling things–and so they know you’re thinking about them.
  • Ask questions. If your loved one mentions concerns about money or spotted unusual activity in their accounts, ask for details. Older adults and their family members can learn about common types of scams, as well as how to avoid and report them by checking out the Pass it On  and Money Smart for Older Adults programs.
  • Financial caregivers: learn more about your responsibilities. The CFPB’s Managing Someone Else’s Money guides can help you understand your role as a fiduciary. Each guide explains your responsibilities, and how to spot financial exploitation and avoid scams.

Help keep everyone safe from scams

Help spread the word and keep those you care about from falling for a scam, regardless of their age or health status. If you spot a scam, report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint .

Michael Herndon, Consumer Financial Protection, Assistant Director, Office for Older Americans

Lois Greisman, Federal Trade Commission, Elder Justice Coordinator

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Credit Advisor logo 4

*We are not a loan company

Participation in Debt Management Plan may affect your credit rating or credit score. Non-payment of debts may lead creditor to increase finance and other charges or proceed with further collection activity, including litigation.

Here at Credit Advisors our certified debt counselors can help you with credit card debt relief, credit card consolidation, consumer credit counseling, bankruptcy certification, bankruptcy questions and all other kinds of help with debt. If you want to get out of debt and have been considering debt settlement, credit management, debt management, credit repair, bankruptcy or consolidation, we provide the best debt counseling and steer you toward a plan that is in your best interest. We are not a loan company, debt settlement company or credit repair organization. We provide credit counseling and plans that work to get you on the road to debt free living.

Michigan Disclosure

For information regarding the principal officers for Credit Advisors, Inc., please visit the
Nebraska Secretary of State

Credit Advisor logo 4

*We are not a loan company

Participation in Debt Management Plan may affect your credit rating or credit score. Non-payment of debts may lead creditor to increase finance and other charges or proceed with further collection activity, including litigation.

Here at Credit Advisors our certified debt counselors can help you with credit card debt relief, credit card consolidation, consumer credit counseling, bankruptcy certification, bankruptcy questions and all other kinds of help with debt. If you want to get out of debt and have been considering debt settlement, credit management, debt management, credit repair, bankruptcy or consolidation, we provide the best debt counseling and steer you toward a plan that is in your best interest. We are not a loan company, debt settlement company or credit repair organization. We provide credit counseling and plans that work to get you on the road to debt free living.

Michigan Disclosure

For information regarding the principal officers for Credit Advisors, Inc., please visit the
Nebraska Secretary of State

Arbored Logo[48041]
BVQI-ANSI logos
Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved. Site Design by
OBrien Design logo link

   

Copyright 2019. All Rights Reserved. Site Design by OBRIENDESIGN.biz

Michigan license number:   DM-0016282 Available to the public and licensed in Michigan.

Section 13(1)  When a licensee establishes a debt management plan for a debtor, the licensee may charge and receive an initial fee of $50.00

Section 13(2)  A licensee shall attempt to obtain consent to participate in a debt management plan from at least 51%, in number or dollar amount, of the debtor’s creditors within 90 days after establishing the debt management plan. If the required consent is not actually received by the licensee, the licensee shall provide notice to the debtor of the lack of required consent and the debtor may, at its option, close the account. If the debtor decides to close the account, any unexpended funds shall be returned to the debtor or disbursed as directed by the debtor.

Sec. 14. (1) A contract between a licensee and debtor shall include all of the following:

(a) Each creditor to which payments will be made and the amount owed each creditor. A licensee may rely on records of the debtor and other information available to it to determine the amount owed to a creditor.

(b) The total amount of the licensee’s charges.

(c) The beginning and termination dates of the contract.

(d) The principal amount and approximate interest charges of the debtor’s obligations to be paid under the debt management plan.

(e) The name and address of the licensee and of the debtor.

(f) Any other provisions or disclosures that the director determines are necessary for the protection of the debtor and the proper conduct of business by a licensee.

Sec. 18. (1) In addition to the fee described in section 13(1), a licensee may charge a reasonable fee for providing debt management services under a debt management plan. The fee under this subsection shall not exceed 15% of the amount of the debt to be liquidated during the express term of the plan.

(2) A licensee may offer a debtor the option to purchase credit reports or educational materials and products, and charge a fee to the debtor if the debtor elects to purchase any of those items from the licensee.  Fees charged under this subsection are not subject to the 15% limitation on fees described in subsection (1).

(3) Except for a cancellation described in subsection (4), in the event of cancellation of or default in the performance of the contract by the debtor before its successful completion, a licensee may collect $25.00 in addition to any fees and charges of the licensee previously received by the licensee. This $25.00 fee is not subject to the 15% limitation on fees and charges under subsection (1).

(4) A contract is in effect when it is signed by the licensee and the debtor and the debtor has made a payment of any amount to the licensee. The debtor has the right to cancel the contract until 12 midnight of the third business day after the first day the contract is in effect by delivering written notice of cancellation to the licensee. A cancellation described in this section is not subject to, and a licensee shall not collect, the fee described in subsection (3).

(5) If a debtor fails to make a payment of any amount to a licensee within 60 days after the date a payment is due under a contract, the licensee may, in its discretion, cancel the debt management contract if it determines that the plan is no longer suitable for the debtor, the debtor fails to affirmatively communicate to the licensee the debtor’s desire to continue the plan, or the creditors of the debtor refuse to continue accepting payments under the plan.

(6) A licensee shall not contract for, receive, or charge a debtor an amount greater than authorized by this act. A person that violates this subsection, except as the result of an inadvertent clerical or computer error, shall return to the debtor the amount of the payments received from or on behalf of the debtor and not distributed to creditors, and, as a penalty, an amount equal to the amount overcharged.

530 W Allegan Street, 7th Floor
Lansing, MI  48909-7720
877-999-6442

Credit Advisor Logo 3

Schedule a Call Back

Credit Advisor Logo 3

Get Help Now!