Consumerist
-
taxes
Corruption: Mystery Shoppers Expose Refund Anticipation Loan Abuse
As an educated consumer you may wonder why people would choose to use a Refund Anticipation Loan when they can e-file and receive their refund in only a few days. More » -
debt
You Have $2.54 Trillion In Consumer Debt
The amount of new consumer debt is increasing more slowly than in previous months, growing only $5.2 billion in February, says Bloomberg. It sounds like a lot of money, but it's a much slower rate of growth than the $10.3 billion increase in consumer credit seen in January. More » -
reminders
Students And Parents, It's Time To Fill Out Your FAFSA
Tax time is also FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) time for students and their parents. While the federal due date is June 30th, in some states, the FAFSA is due even before your taxes, so make sure to remember this important piece of paperwork. More » -
loans
Student Loan Credit Crunch Coming?
If you're thinking of attending an expensive college, but don't have access to huge sacks of cash, you may have a problem says USAToday: More » -
real estate
Zillow Offers Anonymous Mortgage Shopping
Zillow has a new tool for those of you who wish you could do your mortgage shopping while wearing a ski mask and speaking through one of those things that makes you sound like Darth Vader — the Zillow Mortgage Marketplace. More » -
shady
Justice Department Will Investigate Countrywide's Lending Practices
A judge has authorized an investigation into Countrywide's lending practices, says the NYT. More » -
credit crunch
Mortgage Meltdown Isn't Just A Subprime Problem Anymore
The New York Times says that the mortgage meltdown isn't just a subprime problem anymore, but has spread into the prime market where consumers with good credit are now struggling to pay their bills. More » -
-
credit
This Hooters Credit Card Is For Winners Only
Here's a great credit card that will allow you to express how awesome you are at a variable APR between 7.75% and 26.95%. Yes, kids, it's the Hooters MasterCard, and according to their website, it's been "rated #1 by some fake award." More » -
New legislation in Colorado threatens to put a cap on payday lending.
"It took Linda Medlock four years and $8,000 to pay off the $500 she borrowed from a payday lender to make her mortgage payment," says the Denver Post.
Boo, payday lending. Boooo.[Denver Post] (Photo:taberandrew)
MORE » -
depressing
Consumers Are "Unaware" That Lenders Can Help Them Avoid Foreclosure
A new survey from Freddie Mac says that 57% of delinquent homeowners are unaware of so-called "workout" options that could help them avoid foreclosure. More » -
credit reports
Woman's Credit History Goes Missing, Giving Her A Credit Score Of Zero
When Cindy X pulled her credit report from TransUnion recently, it was blank. "I am 48, have an active credit history, and my other credit reports were accurate," she writes in to Kiplinger. TransUnion, however, told her that she was on her own to fix the problem and would have to contact her creditors individually. More » -
subprime meltdown
When A House Is A Bad Investment, Is It OK To Just Walk Away?
Here's one that's sure to start some intense debate: If you've made a bad investment and your house isn't worth what you thought it was going to be, is it OK to just walk away? More » -
housing bubble
Buyers Sue Agent For Inflating Real Estate Appraisal
The New York Times has an interesting article about a couple in California who are suing their real estate agent (who is conveniently also a mortgage broker) for allegedly artificially inflating the appraisal on their home by $100,000. A few days after moving in to their new home, says the NYT, "they got a flier on their door from another realty agent. It showed a house up the street had just sold for $105,000 less than theirs, even though it was the same size." More » -
credit crunch
World Economy Feels The Mortgage Meltdown
The New York Times says that stock exchanges all around the world took a hit on fears that the U.S. is already in a recession: More » -
weeping openly
Payday Lenders Can't Afford To Lend You Money At Only 36%
The Leftwing Conspiracy blog scanned a cute pamphlet that a payday lender is distributing to try to drum up sympathy now that there's a rate cap on loans given out to military personnel. Boohoo! More » -
Now that SallieMae buy-out deal has crumbled and they're facing much higher borrowing costs due to the subprime fiasco, the unpopular student lender will shed 3% of its workforce, or 350 jobs, mostly CSRs at their call centers.
We know a lot of you really, really, really hate SallieMae, but remember not to drink and drive when celebrating other people's misfortunes, mmk? [CNNMoney]
MORE »
-
mergers and acquisitions
BREAKING: Bank Of America Buys Countrywide, CEO Gets Up To $115 Million Parachute
Hey there, sports fans: Bank of America will buy everyone's favorite evidence-forging subprime lender, Countrywide for a cool $4 billion dollars. More »
lending
New York, 3:01 AM
Mon Nov 23
7 posts in the last 24 hours
Tip Your Editors:
tips@consumerist.com
tipline: 347-42C-ON95
Co-Managing Editor:
Ben Popken
Email | AIM | Twitter
Co-Managing Editor:
Meghann Marco
Email | Twitter
Senior Editor:
Chris Walters
Email | Twitter
Weekend Editor:
Laura Northrup
Email | AIM | Twitter
Associate Editor:
Alex Chasick | Email
Associate Editor:
Phil Villarreal
Email
