Federal student loan repayment options explained

If you have student loans, or will soon, you’re in good company. Nearly 44 million Americans owe almost $1.6 trillion in combined student loan debt. Federal student loans make up the biggest portion of this outstanding student debt at more than 92%. If you have a federal student loan, here's what...

What happens when you default on a loan from Avant

Online lender Avant offers personal loans ranging from $2,000 to $35,000 at interest rates from roughly 9.95% to 35.99% APR, though rates and availability vary depending on the state you live in and your creditworthiness. Here's what happens when you default on a loan from Avant. While Avant posts positive customer...

What happens when you default on your Prosper debt?

Prosper was founded in 2005 as the original peer-to-peer lender in the United States. It matches personal loan borrowers with lenders, also called investors. While others have since joined the marketplace and Lending Club is now the largest online provider for personal loans in the U.S., Prosper does a substantial...

What happens when you default on your Lending Club debt?

Lending Club, the largest online lender for personal loans in the United States, specializes in peer-to-peer lending. This means it reviews potential borrowers’ applications and, if approved, matches them with an investor or several investors who provide the funds at a fixed interest rate. Lending Club charges an origination fee...

7 questions to ask before filing for bankruptcy

If you’re in debt over your head, afraid of being sued and just want the collection calls to stop, you may be considering bankruptcy. Bankruptcy gives those with more debt than they can repay a chance at a fresh financial start. It stops court actions and Chapter 7 bankruptcy, specifically,...

Is ‘pay for delete’ finally going mainstream?

Historically, consumers have sometimes been harassed or even intimidated by debt collectors. However, federal guidance and actions against creditors in recent years has led many debt collectors to adopt more consumer-friendly approaches, including the fairly recent concept of “pay for delete.” Here's what it means and how to benefit from...

Afni: What you need to know

Afni is one of the largest contingency debt collection agencies in the U.S. and provides services to companies in the telecommunications, satellite and cable, healthcare, and insurance industries. While Afni s a member of ACA International, the association of credit and collection professionals that establishes professional standards for the industry,...

United Collection Bureau: What you need to know

United Collection Bureau (UCB) is one of the largest contingency collection agencies in the United States, providing services to clients in government, health care, utilities, communications, financial services and student loans. If you are receiving calls from UCB, here's what you need to know. UCB has been accredited with the...

Client Services, Inc.: What you need to know

Client Services, Inc. (CSI) is one of the largest contingency collection agencies in the United States. It provides collection services to banks, utility companies, municipalities, county governments, private educational institutions and medical providers, among others. Here's what you need to know if you're receiving communications from CSI. Who is CSI?...

Alltran: What you need to know

Alltran Financial, formerly United Recovery Services, is one of the largest collection agencies in the country. The company website states an objective of helping individuals and families by resolving their financial issues and helping clients collect for their services. Today, Alltran serves clients in health care, government, financial services, and...