In 2003 I started CreditFactors, the credit and FICO credit scoring subscription site.
After hosting free credit forums for many years (History), I not only got very tired of answering the same questions over and over, but credit and scoring continually change and there was no way that I could go through the many thousands of posts to UPDATE according to industry changes and new flaws and bugs in the FICO scoring software discovered through my client work.
So I finally started CreditFactors and I continually update the searchable knowledgebase.
In 12/07 I create a separate knowledgebase with litigation resources and case law.
Of course many consumers are lacking the time and skills to learn everything they SHOULD know before disputing and that’s why I provide free assistance at the CreditFactors subscriber forum. However, when subscribers lack basic computer skills such as being able to copy/paste account info or score factors for my review, I cannot possibly recommend how to dispute.
The most successful CreditFactors subscribers have good analytical skills, such as accountants, programmers, engineers, etc.
Personal services: Credit Review, Credit Analysis and Debt Settlement
I offer personal services for clients seeking higher FICO scores, debt settlement or who want to know what their credit options are and/or get some general guidelines.
There many aspects to credit reporting AND the clients’ financial situation and goals as well as personal situation. I obviously need to know the clients’ intentions, resources and capabilities prior to making recommendations.
It is extremely important that all clients understand that this is NOT credit repair and that I will NOT be sending frivolous disputes to the credit bureaus.
Clients are expected to dedicate several hours after my initial review, to read my posts and to answer my questions.
Activism and legislative efforts
Through my work with readers and clients I discovered many SYSTEMIC problems with credit reporting and FICO scoring.
It is mind blowing to see how the entire system has been designed from the ground up to deceive consumers and to give them the worst possible credit rating.
The motive:
Greed and the desire to control the population
I was so naive to think that my submissions to regulators and legislators would make a difference. I was oblivious to the extent of the corruption of the financial systems of the world until I watched Money as Debt and The Money Masters. I had no idea that banks create money out of thin air when they make loans. I erroneously thought they use the funds of depositors or borrow the money at a low interest rate from the government.
The Arizona and California regulators REFUSED to investigate my complaints about false and illegal mortgage advertisements.
Those mortgage companies went bankrupt after substantially contributing to the current credit crisis. Exhibit 18, filed with my response to the Trans Union motion to dismiss:
Trinity junk fax and Mutual Benefit loan approval at 1%
I never received any disclosures whatsoever and they wanted me to schedule and pay for the appraisal. I knew that there was no such thing as a 1% rate for mortgages because I previously researched the “option” loans, described in detail in my 8/25/05 blog posting:
Housing sales slowing down – house-poor Californians – mortgage fraud rampant
Just like the regulators, NCO, Trans Union, Equifax and Experian refused to investigate my 2/05 notice of credit reports sold to unlicensed brokers engaging in illegal marketing and false advertising.
The credit bureaus sell credit reports to ANYONE willing to pay for them.
Additionally, the credit bureaus and Fair Isaac forced millions of consumers into horrible loans through artificially low scores, based on the FALSE and INCOMPLETE data in credit reports.
The FICO scoring software actually CREATES late payments NOT on the Equifax reports.
And NOBODY with the power to make a difference cares.
NOTHING is being done to STOP the massacre of the working people. In fact, in 2003 the legislators ENCOURAGED the illegal sale of credit reports by removing the consumers’ the right to sue for promotional inquiries without providing a firm offer of credit as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
I could post hundreds of links to PROVE the corruption. Last winter I was going to write a book with the tentative title “20 Reasons to STOP Paying your Credit Cards.” I haven’t even started yet.
Not EVERYBODY needs good credit – consider defaulting on your credit cards.
I’m now advising judgment-proof consumer to STOP paying their debts, not only because the bankers are criminals and don’t DESERVE to get paid, but also because we need to prepare for rough times, stock up on food and fuel, fix the car and house and take care of deferred maintenance.
It is EXTREMELY important to be prepared to survive if the worst happens, whatever that may be. Whether it’s unemployment, illness, disaster or the collapse of the financial system or economy.
I’m NOT recommending that you quit your job, sell you belongings and run for the hills. I AM asking you to stop handing over your money to the bankers and to instead use it for items you’ll need sooner or later.
There is no downside to preparing.
No matter what happens, you can still eat the food you bought, drive that car and live in your house. You lost NOTHING except possibly your good credit rating and the time to answer collection calls. However, with proper preparation, the impact is minimal.
You can settle most debts or even judgments for pennies on the dollar and if you did a little planning, you can have 700+ FICO scores in a couple of years.
My Trans Union scores with PERFECT credit (not a single late payment or any derogatory item) were in the LOW 600s and caused Barclays to close my account and WaMu to raise my rate to 26%. That’s NOT the kind of “good” credit worth crying over.
Isn’t this the ANTI-advertisement for CreditFactors?
The CreditFactors is not only about improving credit and scores. The resources include defenses against creditor and debt buyer lawsuits, attorney filings in FDCPA cases and I will be adding lots of info for people with bad credit, where to bank, avoiding collection calls, etc.
I’m NOT limited to earning a living doing credit work. While credit has been a huge part of my life since I became a mortgage broker in 1989, there are many much more useful things I’d rather be doing.
Unfortunately, nobody does what I do.
Nobody documents the credit scoring fraud and deception, the systemic violations of consumer protection laws and most important, that the credit system is DESIGNED to exploit the working people and middle class.
I’d like nothing better than being put out of business because credit reports and scores are no longer used.
I live off the grid in the Arizona high desert and there are a gazillion things I’d rather do, such as finishing my house, building a greenhouse, growing food and working on creating a better world for the working people.
Please watch the slide show and sign up for the common good bank.
