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DEBTS SOLUTION: STRATEGIES TO DODGE CORRUPT DEBT RELIEF SCAMS

Debts Solution: Introduction

Facing soaring expenses in housing, groceries, and fuel, Canadians grapple with amplified financial strains. The mounting necessity for a debts solution burgeons as debt problems and insolvencies surge. Seeking expert guidance becomes pivotal, steering clear of pitfalls entwined in deceptive debt relief enticements posing as saviours.

In this Brandon’s Blog, I provide insights on mitigating exposure to these cunning ploys by discussing the common warning signs that are prevalent with a debt help scammer. Unearth methods to shield you from the clutches of debt relief scams. Acquire proficiency in detecting warning signals, discerning credible services, and fortifying yourself against deceitful machinations. Delve into tangible scenarios and preemptive strategies to navigate the labyrinthine terrain of a possible debts solution, safely and securely.

Debts Solution: Recognizing Debt Relief Scams

Navigating through debt’s labyrinth often induces immense stress and a sense of being inundated, prompting many individuals to seek solace in debt alleviation initiatives. Yet, exercising prudence and vigilance within this sphere holds paramount significance. Within this industry, deceptive stratagems loom from for-profit debt settlement companies, preying on the susceptible, and exacerbating their financial woes. Deciphering these deceitful maneuvers becomes pivotal; doing so empowers you to shield yourself and judiciously discern the avenues for debt alleviation at your disposal.

Debts Solution: Scammers often ask for upfront fees and make unrealistic promises

Identifying a potential debt relief company scam often hinges on a prominent signal: the insistence on upfront fees by the entity or individual. Authentic debt relief programs typically levy charges solely after achieving a triumphant negotiation or formulation of a repayment strategy. Conversely, imposters brazenly demand payment in advance, vanishing into thin air without rendering any tangible aid.

Moreover, these malevolent actors might peddle unattainable assurances regarding debt eradication or swift resolution of financial problems. It’s imperative to grasp that an overnight miraculous debt dissolution remains an illusory prospect. Legitimate debt mitigation ventures engage in protracted negotiations with creditors, aiming for diminished interest rates or modified payment schemes. This, however, demands time and harmonious collaboration among all involved stakeholders.

When scrutinizing a debt relief initiative, exercise caution toward those espousing immediate or fanciful outcomes. Reputable entities furnish pragmatic prognoses, collaborating with you to sculpt a sustainable blueprint for enduring financial balance and security while providing you with lasting strategies to continually improve your financial situation.

Debts Solution: Beware of anyone who advises you to stop communicating with and paying your creditors

A conspicuous red flag signalling potential deceit in a debt relief scheme emerges when the program advocates severing communication and payments with your creditors. While succumbing to the allure of dodging creditor calls and missives may seem appealing, sidestepping dialogue can exacerbate your predicament.

Genuine debt mitigation programs engage in dialogue with your creditors, endeavouring to forge fresh payment terms or negotiate reduced settlements. They champion transparent communication and harmonious collaboration among all stakeholders. Conversely, swindlers might counsel total cessation of contact with creditors, precipitating escalated interest, penalties, and even legal ramifications.

Should a debt relief program advocate complete cessation of creditor payments, it unequivocally betrays your best interests. Upholding your financial commitments to the best of your capacity remains crucial while charting a course toward resolution via a reputable, trustworthy debts solution avenue.

Debts Solution: Debt relief scams may operate via social networks, text, or email

In the digital age, debt relief frauds have actually discovered their way onto various online platforms. Debt settlement firm fraudsters might connect to you with social media sites, text, or email, encouraging quick and very easy services to your financial obligation troubles.

If you obtain unwanted messages from unidentified sources offering debt settlement solutions, use caution. Reputable debt relief programs typically do not participate in hostile or unsolicited advertising and marketing tactics. It is necessary to do your research study and thoroughly vet any type of company before giving them personal information or agreeing to work with them.

When researching debt settlement choices online, be sure to verify the firm’s credentials and try to find reviews and testimonies from other customers. In addition, inspect if the firm is associated with any reliable industry organizations or if they have any accreditations that demonstrate their competence and trustworthiness.

picture of man deep in debt going over a contract to hire a debts solution settlement company
debts solution

Debts Solution: Seeking Professional Help

Seeking adept guidance from recognized experts in managing your finances and addressing debt problems is a prudent choice. Licensed insolvency trustees emerge as specialists adept in aiding individuals and companies to restructure their way through financial quagmires. Their realm encompasses proffering no-cost initial consultations, delving into your fiscal panorama, dispensing counsel, and facilitating the exploration of diverse avenues in debt management.

The following are 3 legitimate options to consider in solving debt problems. In fact, the debts solution scammers, after sucking as much money out of you as they can, then introduce you to a licensed insolvency trustee to execute one of the below options. Why not avoid the middleman debts solution scammer? All of the “services” they provide, for which they charge you thousands of dollars, you can get from a licensed insolvency trustee during the initial no-cost consultation.

Here are 3 legitimate debt relief options for anyone looking for a debts solution:

Debts Solution: Debt Management Plan


A structured repayment scheme, a debt management plan, proves instrumental in efficaciously steering individuals through their debt labyrinth. Collaborating with a licensed insolvency trustee ensures in tailoring a blueprint attuned to your distinct fiscal landscape. Herein, regular remittances through a payment schedule are made to the trustee to find dispersion among your creditors under their auspices.

The virtues of a debt management plan abound. Primarily, it amalgamates your debts into a singular monthly payment, streamlining financial oversight. Coupled with this, it commonly encompasses a diminished interest rate, harbouring potential savings in the long haul. Furthermore, active participation in such a plan potentially serves as a conduit for the reconstruction of your credit score, contingent upon consistent and punctual payments.

 

Debts Solution: Consumer Proposal

Should your financial circumstances veer toward a more severe terrain, contemplating the avenue of a consumer proposal emerges as a viable debts solution recourse. It constitutes a binding accord, ensconced in legality, forged between you and your creditors, shepherded by a licensed insolvency trustee. It is the only approved debt settlement government program. In a consumer proposal, your trustee takes over all communication with creditors, freeing you of this burden.

Within this framework, you proffer a proposal to reimburse a segment of your unsecured debts over a stipulated timeframe, commonly spanning five years. This offer is grounded in your reasonable capacity and only requires you to pay a portion of the total indebtedness. Upon acceptance by your creditors, monthly disbursements to the trustee ensue, who, in turn, channels these funds to your creditors. After completing your total set of monthly payments, your entire debt is wiped out.

The merits of opting for a consumer proposal are many. Firstly, it furnishes immediate shielding against collection calls, wage garnishments and legal action reprisals instigated by your creditors. Simultaneously, it facilitates a reduction in your cumulative debt burden, given that the repayment amounts to less than the owed sum. Additionally, resorting to a consumer proposal carries less weight than declaring bankruptcy, exerting a comparably milder impact on your credit standing.

Debts Solution: Bankruptcy as a Last Resort

As a final debts solution recourse, bankruptcy emerges as a potential remedy for individuals ensnared in insurmountable debt with no viable alternatives. This legal recourse orchestrates a fresh start by absolving a significant portion of debts, facilitating a reboot of one’s financial trajectory and life.

However, navigating the terrain of bankruptcy demands judicious consideration, given its weighty repercussions. The enduring impact on your creditworthiness, spanning multiple years, can pose hurdles in securing future credit. Furthermore, the liquidation of certain assets to reimburse creditors and potential constraints on professional accreditation warrant conscientious contemplation in discussion with a licensed insolvency trustee.

Prudent counsel from a licensed insolvency trustee assumes paramount significance before delving into bankruptcy. Our expertise enables a comprehensive no-cost evaluation of your circumstances, guiding you toward the most fitting pathway forward.

Credit counseling is an important aspect of any service provided by a licensed insolvency trustee.

Debts Solution: Protecting Yourself from Fake Loan Scams


Many times debts solution scammers combine a mandatory loan program with their debt relief package. Here are some tips on how to avoid being a victim of these loan program scams.

Be cautious of deals that require payment upfront or appear too good to be real

A substantial indicator of a spurious finance scam materializes when the lender needs payment before finalizing the loan. That is what a bogus debt relief company does or arranges for you. Reputable companies who lend money typically deduct any type of fees or expenditures from the loan itself, avoiding any kind of in-advance payment. Furthermore, lenders that appear excessively beneficial are commonly deceptive. Fraudsters often attract people with implausibly low-interest rates or guarantees of assured loan authorizations, departing from the reasonable standards of the lending world.

Phony lending rip-offs assure loans even with a negative credit history yet never provide the loan

If you have a negative credit rating, scammers may attempt to take advantage of your scenario by encouraging loans without credit history checks or with assured authorizations. Nonetheless, genuine lending institutions always analyze the creditworthiness of a borrower before approving a loan. If a lender is not interested in your credit rating and claims to supply financing to any individual despite their credit rating, it is likely a fake funding fraud. Remember, no lender can ensure funding without appropriate analysis.

Stay clear of offering individual or financial details to unidentified sources

Protecting your personal and financial info is vital in the electronic age. Fraudsters may pose as loan providers and demand sensitive info, such as your social insurance number, bank account details, or driver’s certificate information. Never offer such information to unknown sources or through unknown sites or channels. Genuine lenders will have protected systems in position to secure your data, and they will not ask for unnecessary individual or financial information.

picture of man deep in debt going over a contract to hire a debts solution settlement company
debts solution

Debts Solution: Conclusion

Getting specialist support from a licensed insolvency trustee is essential in working through the details of your financial debt and money obstacles. Licensed insolvency trustees stand as important wellsprings, supplying invaluable advice, support, and strength for you to navigate the puzzle of economic problems. Whether designing a debt management plan approach or considering a consumer proposal, embarking on these paths alongside a seasoned specialist will let you recover your authority over your entire life. It minimizes the difficult anxiety you have carried and moulds a course towards a much more positive financial destiny.

I hope you enjoyed this debts solution Brandon’s Blog. If you’re struggling with managing your overwhelming debt, don’t worry – there are some things you can do to take control of the situation. It is not your fault you can’t fix this problem on your own and it does not mean that you are a bad person.

First, it’s important to create a realistic budget and track your expenses. From there, you can prioritize your debt repayment and make consistent payments to chip away at what you owe. It’s also a good idea to seek professional financial advice to help guide you through the process. Just remember, managing debt is a gradual process that requires commitment and determination, but you can do it! So don’t hesitate to reach out for help from financial professionals.

Individuals and business owners must take proactive measures to address financial difficulties and promptly seek assistance when necessary. It is crucial to recognize that financial stress is a prevalent concern and seeking help is a demonstration of fortitude, rather than vulnerability. Should you encounter challenges in managing your finances and find yourself burdened by stress, do not delay in pursuing aid.

Revenue and cash flow shortages are critical issues facing people, entrepreneurs and their companies and businesses with debt problems that are in financial distress. Are you now worried about just how you or your business are going to survive? Are you worried about what your fiduciary obligations are and not sure if the decisions you are about to make are the correct ones to avoid personal liability? Those concerns are obviously on your mind.

The Ira Smith Team understands these financial health concerns. More significantly, we know the requirements of the business owner or the individual who has way too much financial debt. You are trying to manage these difficult financial problems and you are understandably anxious.

The pandemic has thrown everyone a curveball. We have not been trained to deal with this. You have only been taught the old ways. The old ways do not work anymore. The Ira Smith Team uses innovative and cutting-edge methodologies, to adeptly navigate you through the intricacies of your financial challenges, ensuring a resolution to your debt-related predicaments without resorting to the rigours of the bankruptcy process. We can get you debt relief now!

We have helped many entrepreneurs and their insolvent companies who thought that consulting with a Trustee and receiver meant their company would go bankrupt. On the contrary. We helped turn their companies around through financial restructuring.

We look at your whole circumstance and design a strategy that is as distinct as you are. We take the load off of your shoulders as part of the debt settlement strategy we will draft just for you.

The Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. team understands that people facing money problems require a lifeline. That is why we can establish a restructuring procedure for you and end the discomfort you feel.

Call us now for a no-cost consultation. We will listen to the unique issues facing you and provide you with practical and actionable ideas you can implement right away to end the pain points in your life, Starting Over, Starting Now.

picture of man deep in debt going over a contract to hire a debts solution settlement company
debts solution
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WHAT IS A LICENSED INSOLVENCY TRUSTEE? READ OUR BEST AND COMPLETE 12 STEP CHECKLIST

what is a licensed insolvency trustee
what is a licensed insolvency trustee

The Ira Smith Trustee Team is absolutely operational and Ira, in addition to Brandon Smith, is readily available for a telephone consultation or video meeting. We hope that you and your family are safe and healthy.

If you would prefer to listen to the audio version of this what is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee Brandon’s Blog, please scroll to the very bottom and click on the podcast.

What is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee introduction

What is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee is a question I see asked regularly. Is it the same as a bankruptcy trustee? The answer is yes. A bankruptcy trustee is an old name. Licensed Insolvency Trustee is the new name. The Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB) changed the name in 2015. The change came about partly because of submissions made by the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals (CAIRP).

The change came about since the new name more precisely explains the breadth of solutions they offer to consumers and businesses. The purpose of this Brandon’s Blog is to describe for the stressed-out person who is facing financial challenges, or the entrepreneur whose business is in financial trouble, what is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee all about and give a 12 point checklist to help you find the best one for you.

What is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee?

A Licensed Insolvency Trustee is a financial and debt specialist licensed and supervised by the OSB. The OSB released a directive calling for trustees to utilize the classification of Licensed Insolvency Trustee to more precisely show the solutions they offer.

What is the difference between a Licensed Insolvency Trustee, a credit counsellor, and a debt settlement business?

Licensed Insolvency Trustees, credit counsellors, and financial debt settlement companies, all provide financial guidance. However, they are extremely different.

A Licensed Insolvency Trustee is the only person who can file a bankruptcy or consumer proposal for you. A trustee can also offer you financial advice and help you plan on how to repay your debt. Credit counsellors and debt settlement businesses can give you financial advice and information. They can help you make a budget and make plans to repay your debt. But they can’t file a bankruptcy or consumer proposal for you.

Unlike the others, a Licensed Insolvency Trustee is an Officer of the Court, and as such, is the only financial debt relief professional in Canada legally allowed to administer insolvency proceedings under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) (BIA).

What is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee and what can they do for me?

A Licensed Insolvency Trustee will first gather info to comprehend the individual’s or business’s entire circumstance, examine the effects of different choices, discuss them with you and also suggest the one he or she really feels is ideal for you. When filing a restructuring debt settlement proposal or for bankruptcy, Licensed Insolvency Trustees will direct the debtor through the whole procedure, will certainly prepare and submit the needed paperwork, and be the one to deal directly with all of your creditors.

So what is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee? It is the only expert that can offer you a complimentary consultation and advice as well as recommendations. After that, she or he will either direct you what to do if you do not need an insolvency process to repair your financial concerns or administer the insolvency procedure if one is required.

what is a licensed insolvency trustee
what is a licensed insolvency trustee

What is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee and what sets them apart?

By now you should realize that a Licensed Insolvency Trustee is licensed and supervised by the OSB. No other professional dealing with consumer or business debt issues is. Licensed Insolvency Trustees also have to go through a rigorous course of study and examinations in order to obtain that license.

So what is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee? It is someone who:

  • successfully complete the Chartered Insolvency and Restructuring Professional (CIRP) Qualification Program (CQP), the CIRP National Insolvency Exam and the Insolvency Counsellor’s Qualification Course;
  • passed an Oral Board of Examination;
  • has been found to be a person of good character and reputation; and
  • has been cleared through an RCMP investigation.

What is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee and how are their fees calculated?

There are set calculations and rules that all Licensed Insolvency Trustees must strictly follow when administering a bankruptcy or proposal. Trustee fees are calculated and drawn from the funds that have been paid into each individual proceeding. Licensed Insolvency Trustees are not allowed to simply set their own fees and rates.

In most bankruptcies and proposals, the Licensed Insolvency Trustee’s fees are based on a tariff set by the BIA. Unlike other professionals, working with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee is not a “fee for service” – this means that a phone call to discuss any questions you have or get ongoing support throughout the process won’t result in an invoice.

What is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee and how do I find one?

The best way to find one is through a referral from someone that you trust. This could be your lawyer, accountant, a relative or a close friend. Someone you trust, who refers you to someone they trust, is always the best. I take pride that my Firm has many times helped relatives of lawyers and accountants who we work with. If they are willing to refer a family member to us, that is the highest compliment anyone can pay to me as a professional.

You can also contact a local non-profit credit counselling service. There are two benefits to doing this. A local non-profit credit counselling organization is probably one of the most objective places to find out about all your debt relief options. They’re not trying to sell you anything, and they’re not paid on commission. So they can actually help you look at all your options and see if insolvency (a consumer proposal or bankruptcy) is your best option or if there is something else that might make sense.

The OSB maintains a searchable database of all Licensed Insolvency Trustees in Canada. You can search for a trustee located near you. Finding a trustee near you may be convenient, but, it will not give you a sense of whether you feel you can work with that professional.

You can also search for licensed insolvency trustee” or “bankruptcy trustee” in your favourite search engine. Just be mindful that the companies who appear at the top of your search results with the word “Ad” next to their name have paid for that listing. It has nothing to do with their expertise or rating.

Looking at the online reviews given by people who have worked with them is a great way to start to get a feel for each professional. If they write blogs or have videos posted online, that will also help to get a feel for the personality of the Licensed Insolvency Trustee.

What is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee and have they been recognized by any rating agencies?

Best Bankruptcy trustees in Vaughan

I am pleased to report that, for the 5th year in a row, Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. has been voted as one of the Top 3 Licensed Insolvency Trustees in Vaughan, ON. (Yes, there are more than 3!). It is gratifying to get recognition fo the professional services we provide and our commitment to full service and support for our clients.

So what is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee and how should I go about choosing one? There are many factors that you must consider. Below is our 12 step checklist to make the best choice for you.

What is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee? Our 12 step checklist to help you find the best one for your situation

  • Do they have the necessary qualifications?
  • How many cases like yours have they done before?
  • Do they go to Court also or do you have to hire a lawyer to do so?
  • Is bankruptcy right for you and is it your only option?
  • How much will it cost you?
  • Will you be dealing with the actual licensee ultimately responsible to the OSB for your file?
  • Will you only be seeing one of many clerks once you enter the insolvency process?
  • How did you feel after meeting the people at their office after your initial consultation?
  • Do they practice exclusively in the bankruptcy/insolvency area?
  • Do they have experience in only personal insolvency matters, only corporate insolvency matters, or both?
  • Do they have enough experience and the time to handle your matter?
  • Will they communicate in a timely manner with you throughout?

As you can see, when trying to answer what is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee and who is the right one for me question, there are many things to consider.

What is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee summary

I hope you found this what is a Licensed Insolvency Trustee Brandon’s Blog about helpful. Sometimes things are too far gone and more drastic and immediate triage action is required.

Do you have too much debt? Are you in need of financial restructuring? The financial restructuring process is complex. The Ira Smith Team understands how to do a complex restructuring. However, more importantly, we understand the needs of the entrepreneur or the person who has too much personal debt. You are worried because you are facing significant financial challenges.
It is not your fault that you are in this situation. You have been only shown the old ways that do not work anymore. The Ira Smith Team uses new modern ways to get you out of your debt troubles while avoiding bankruptcy. We can get you debt relief freedom.

The stress placed upon you is huge. We understand your pain points. We look at your entire situation and devise a strategy that is as unique as you and your problems; financial and emotional. The way we take the load off of your shoulders and devise a debt settlement plan, we know that we can help you.

We know that people facing financial problems need a realistic lifeline. There is no “one solution fits all” approach with the Ira Smith Team. That is why we can develop a restructuring process as unique as the financial problems and pain you are facing. If any of this sounds familiar to you and you are serious in finding a solution, contact the Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. team today.
Call us now for a free consultation.

We will get you or your company back on the road to healthy stress-free operations and recover from the pain points in your life, Starting Over, Starting Now.

The Ira Smith Trustee Team is absolutely operational and Ira, in addition to Brandon Smith, is readily available for a telephone consultation or video meeting. We hope that you and your family are safe and healthy.

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CREDIT CARD DEBT TRAP: OUR REVOLUTIONARY 4 STEP PLAN TO START BECOMING CREDIT CARD DEBT FREE IMMEDIATELY

Credit card debt trap: Introduction

Many people I help are caught in a credit card debt trap. It’s always good to repay your credit card debt, and now could be a better time compared to ever before to do so.

I have previously written about the Canadian household debt crisis as Canadians take on more debt and average canadian household debt levels increase. Rates of interest are beginning to increase so combining the two creates a mix that can place people in a bind.

Credit card debt trap: A storm is brewing

In December, Statistics Canada reported that the Canadian household debt ratio struck a brand-new high. The ratio of household credit-market debt to disposable income (the key gauge for measuring Canadians’ debt loads) rose to 171.1%.

“Everyone has this sense that there is a storm brewing,” said Bruce McClary, spokesman for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling in the U.S.

“All indications that we’ve seen are that people are carrying higher balances from month-to-month and more are behind on their monthly payments. That’s not a healthy mix.”

Climbing debt levels could suggest people really feel better about the economy. Our concern is that people could be over-extending themselves. Both the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of Canada expect to raise rates later this year, so the cost of lugging credit card debt is most likely to increase.

What can you do try becoming credit card debt-free? Our revolutionary 4 step plan can help get you there.

Step 1. Credit card debt trap: Take control

It isn’t easy to take a difficult look at your financial position, but it is a necessary one. Analyze your financial obligations, and the rates of interest connected to each debt, as well as minimal repayments. Track your costs to get a feeling of what your credit card charges get you every month.

This is the first step in understanding your expenses and cutting back on the ones that are not necessary. To understand where you are going, you should understand where you have actually been.

Step 2. Credit card debt trap: Minimize rates

The typical interest rate on a bank card is about 19 percent. That’s quite high, so you might wish to think about transferring your credit card debt to a card with a reduced or zero-interest first offer rate to help pay it off much faster.

A word of caution: you’ll most likely need to pay a transfer cost in doing so. Also, you will need to pay off the debt prior to that promo rate finishes. Otherwise, the balance at that time is charged a higher interest rate, probably the same or higher than the card you transferred the debt from.

Although I don’t hold out a lot of hope, you can ask your credit card firms if they will decrease your interest rate.

credit card debt trap
credit card debt trap

Step 3. Credit card debt trap: Plan choice

If you simply cannot earn enough to fund your repayments, think about a non-profit credit counselling service. Do not go to any of the debt settlement companies that advertise regularly on television or social media.

All they do is charge you a fee to take down basic information, and then send you to a licensed insolvency trustee. Going first to a licensed insolvency trustee will do more good for you in a first free consultation than the debt settlement company will.

There are 2 typical debt settlement approaches– avalanche as well as a snowball. The avalanche method of getting out of the credit card debt trap works by placing all your money towards your highest possible rate of interest debt. As soon as that’s settled, you begin repaying the following most costly debt till it’s all gone.

In some cases, the snowball approach offers much more inspiration. With this technique, you repay the tiniest debt initially, to increase your spirits. You make use of that energy to pay off what is not the smallest outstanding debt and so on. You are picking up steam like a snowball rolling downhill.

It does not matter which method you use. The important thing is that you start now and stick to it.

Step 4. Credit card debt trap: Adhere to it

Remember your single emphasis ought to be lowering debt, so do not plan any kind of elegant getaways or huge acquisitions in the meantime. You could backslide or strike some roadway bumps yet do not allow that to sap your inspiration.

Now for the tough part. When possible, save some money to aid with unforeseen expenditures that you would normally place on your credit card. This will lessen the amount you would have to charge by paying with cash.

Credit card debt trap: A lengthy and painful trip to get out of it

It’s an incredibly lengthy and painful trip to get out of the credit card debt trap. It also can be a very lonely one. People don’t get into the credit card debt trap overnight, so you can’t get out of it without some hard work.

The Ira Smith Team has helped many people stay the course and be stimulated by their successes. We have helped many people avoid bankruptcy.

Contact the Ira Smith Team today. Your first consultation is free. We will be there with you every step of the way to help you out of the credit card debt trap so you can begin living credit card debt-free. If it isn’t credit card debt you are worried about, but rather other kinds of debt trap you may be caught in, we can help free you from those too.

To deal with debt you need the help of a debt professional – a trustee. Dealing with debt is not something that you can put off any longer. Start the New Year off right by calling Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. today and make an appointment for a free, no-obligation consultation.

We can give you back peace of mind and put you on the road to debt free living Starting Over, Starting Now.

credit card debt trap
credit card debt trap
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DEBT REDUCTION PROGRAM: MY TOP 10 STEPS ANYONE CAN START IMMEDIATELY TO STOP BEING IN DEBT VIDEO

Debt Reduction Program: Introduction

My top 10 debt reduction program steps is for anyone to start immediately to reduce or eliminate debt in order to regain control of your life. By following these steps, there is no need for you to seek out a debt settlement company. I am giving you a foolproof program for free. Debt settlement companies would charge you thousands of dollars for this information!

1. Debt Reduction Program: Say No To Debt

When you have determined, “I’ve had it”, take your charge cards out of your wallet. Then follow your budget (which means you have one) as well as swear NO MORE DEBT. No ifs or buts … no more debt, NO MATTER WHAT. Either lock the charge cards away, or even better, cut them in half and send them back to each issuer. Ask that they no longer send you any and that your account should be capped at its current balance.

2. Debt Reduction Program: Take Your Head Out of the Sand

Determine your revenue, your monthly costs, and your financial debt total amounts. Acknowledge your past errors with money and progress. Today is a brand-new day as well as you are no more living in denial about your financial resources.

Every financial choice from now on should be based upon a plan. A plan that is based upon realities. Facts from your budget as well as financial goals.

3. Debt Reduction Program: Develop a Monthly Budget (with your spouse or partner if you are not single)

If you are to do just one of these ten practices, please do this one. Living by a written budget is the ESSENTIAL trick to living a financially secure life. When you prepare a monthly budget plan, there was no other way in refuting that you were investing $400+ in totally optional spending on non-essential items; $20 there and $50 here that were amounting to $100’s every month … WASTED!

Your written spending plan provides you with a strategy to spending cash on what you “need” as well as “want” and NOT losing it away. Do you recognize the ordinary person making $50,000/ year will have over $2 MILLION go through their fingertips??? Don’t YOU want to have a plan for those $$$?

4. Debt Reduction Program: Cash not credit

Yes, using cash can be bothersome and a hassle but it is IMPOSSIBLE to spend greater than you have and go over budget. It also hurts a lot more to use cash money then simply swiping plastic.

Those adorable shoes do not look so cute when you think of handing over the last bill in your pocket. It would most likely be easier to live without the most up to date digital gadget when you think of taking all that cash out of your wallet. At that point, your current phone, while not the latest model, looks pretty useful all of a sudden!

Try it. After a few months you will see how your costs reduce. Your behaviour will transform so significantly that you will be shocked how much money you have used unnecessarily in the past.

5. Debt Reduction Program: Priorities

Your financial decisions mirror what you as well as your household regard as a top priority in your life. This will be noticeable in your month-to-month budget plan.

Establish your family’s top priorities. Make certain your regular monthly budget mirrors these top priorities. With a proper budget, you may begin to seem like “inadequate me, I don’t really go out to dinner.” Remember your family has various top priorities and you are compromising one meager dish at your favorite restaurant to have a lifetime of financial safety and security. This definitely puts things in perspective when you are in a moment of weakness.3bestaward

6. Debt Reduction Program: Remove Temptation

Do not set foot in your preferred non-essential shop. If the lure is not there, you will not spend money on things you do not need. Attempt to restrict on your own to only food store. Shop with a checklist as well as stay with the checklist.

If you have difficulty with internet shopping, unsubscribe from store e-mails that promote sales and new products. You are as well concentrated and functioning also hard on your financial goaks to have a slip up on something that was not in the budget plan.

7. Debt Reduction Program: Free Entertainment

Sometimes this financial debt elimination phase is going to seem like it has drawn out all the “enjoyable” things in your life. Just because you are on a tight budget does not mean you shouldn’t enjoy your new life.

Choose cost-free or cheap entertainment. Activities such as walking, barbecue in the park, borrow publications & flicks from the library (yes, they still exist!), free concerts in the park, playing cards and other games, volunteering your time, digital photography, checking out a museum or historical site on a “cost-free entry day.” The possibilities are unlimited, be innovative!

8. Debt Reduction Program: Decrease Food Expenses

Food can be one of the highest costs in your budget plan (2nd to housing). Great news, there are MANY ways to lower the cost of food.

Grocery Store: Have a listing. Use “Budget Friendly Recipes” to make a dish strategy to stay clear of food waste. Do not acquire or dramatically decrease the buying of already prepared foods (anything pre-cut, pre-cooked, pre-prepared).

Dining establishments: Avoid them as long as possible. Cooking a meal in the house will certainly ALWAYS be less costly than eating at a restaurant (unless somebody else is picking up the tab). When you do eat at dining establishments use vouchers, Groupons, happy hour price cuts, as well as basically anything to lower the price.

9. Debt Reduction Program: Team Work

I could not stress enough how crucial it is, to collaborate with your spouse or partner with your financial resources. You are in this with each other. When one of you is having a harsh day, the other needs to urge and remind you why you are sacrificing, why you got on this trip.

One of you might take on the role as the captain, pushing your “team” to the absolute limitations to pay off financial obligations. It might be the spouse or partner who is the MVP, that continuously gets you through the battles and the “bad days”.

10. Debt Reduction Program: Develop Goals

When your financial priorities are established, it will be simple to jot down goals. I recommend composing one or two short-term financial objectives. Your financial goals may be something like:

  • Having a debt free Christmas in 2017 and after
  • Pay off credit card debt by July 2018
  • Eliminating our home equity line of credit balance by February 2019
  • Having a cash reserve of $2,500 in case of an emergency
  • Reward ourselves by taking at least 2 vacations in 2020 because of what we have accomplished so far

Now that you have your objectives developed, this is where you need to circle back to make sure that it is accounted for in your written budget. Your objectives will certainly aid you to stay focused and also provide you inspiration to continue your financial trip.

Debt Reduction Program: What if you haven’t started to reduce debt early enough?

Are you too deep in debt? Is the monthly interest charge on your credit cards more than your monthly amount available to pay down the credit card debt? Being threatened with lawsuits or being sued?

Then you need to consult with a licensed insolvency trustee for some surgery. All of the 10 points listed above will be part of your financial rehabilitation. However, you need to have the time clock stopped now to give you breathing room.

A licensed insolvency trustee can develop such a plan for you and get you the relief you deserve and need. The Ira Smith Team has much experience in handling debt problems like yours. We have helped many people and companies return to financial health and live a stress-free life.

Contact the Ira Smith Team today for your free consultation. We will develop a practical plan for you to get out of debt and regain control over your life, Starting Over, Starting Now!image

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Brandon Blog Post

GUIDE TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEBT SETTLEMENT AND CONSUMER PROPOSAL

Difference between debt settlement and consumer proposal: Introduction

In last week’s vlog, “DEBT SETTLEMENT VS CONSUMER PROPOSAL CANADA: NEW CANADIAN GOVERNMENT REPORT EXPOSES DEBT SETTLEMENT COMPANIES HARMING CONSUMERS”, we reported on the recently released report by the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB). The report is titled: “Review of Licensed Insolvency Trustee business practices to the administration of consumer insolvencies”. We gave an overview summary of the findings. In this vlog, we wish to get into some of the specifics of the OSB’s findings. The difference between such a settlement and consumer proposal when using a debt settlement company.

Difference between debt settlement and consumer proposal: Forced to pay money they can least afford

Cases handled by a Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT) that were referred by these types of settlement companies generally wound up paying much more for their insolvency case.

The debt consolidation companies called for a debtor to authorize a costly contract for speaking with the debt management company before being presented to a “picked LIT”. The people normally comprehended that the only function of the LIT as being restricted to the filing of the consumer proposal created by the settlement company!

In cases evaluated by the OSB, the consulting charge section of the contract contained a large amount for the debt consolidation company’s “help”. It was in the range of $2,400 to $4,200. For smaller consumer proposals, the OSB found that the consulting charge typically varied from 20% to 40% of the amount of the proposal.

Therefore, my read of this leads me to believe that certain LITs cooperated with such settlement companies to force insolvent debtors to pay thousands of dollars more than they otherwise needed to. These people could not afford this and did not deserve to be treated this way.

Debt specialist charges were purported to cover the expense of advising, conferences, recommendations as well as prep work of the consumer proposal. In all situations, the costs paid to the debt management company were IN ADDITION to the fees established under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) charged by those LITs.

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Difference between debt settlement and consumer proposal: If that isn’t horrendous enough, the debt management company sold them a larger bill of goods!

OSB’s study discovered that debtors were often marketed more products by the debt settlement companies. As a result, there were billings for extra recurring costs throughout the life of their consumer proposal!

The products the debt management companies pushed on these vulnerable people included:

  • loans charging a high rate of interest;
  • brand-new credit score tools;
  • a proposal insurance policy; and
  • “credit score restoring” loans.

All products carried either high-interest rates or high price tags.

Difference between debt settlement and consumer proposal: Forced to pay more than they should have

A technique identified throughout the OSB’s review entailed advertising and marketing “proposal insurance coverage”. This was normally billed as a month-to-month expenditure at a price of around 10% of the worth of the consumer proposal. This financing had recurring repayments supposedly for “credit rating fixing”.

In one instance, a debtor with a $31,900 consumer proposal signed up for proposal insurance coverage, structured as a loan. That base cost was about $6,300. Various extra fees, the month-to-month management cost as well as a 15% interest rate, the insurance coverage priced out at $9,150.

So, with the debt management company’s management fee of $2,300, the consumer proposal that the creditors voted to accept in the amount of $31,900 cost the insolvent individual $43,350!!! In my view, being merely associated with this type of behaviour is against the BIA, OSB Directives and the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals code of conduct for its members. As a LIT, I would never be associated with such disgraceful behaviour.

Difference between debt settlement and consumer proposal: Consumer proposals are like a 5-year interest-free loan, so why would you borrow to pay it off early?

An additional pattern observed in consumer proposals submitted by LITs dealing with debt management companies was the intro of “price cut terms”. This arrangement is for enticing the debtors to borrow money under arrangements made by the debt settlement company.

Incorporation of a discount rate provision provokes a debtor to become part of a brand-new as well as expensive loan scheme. To capitalize on a 25% discount rate condition in a $10,000 proposal, a debtor would finance $7,500. With paying $1,400 in compulsory charges, this brought the lending overall to $8,900. At a promoted rate of interest of 22.99 %, with a payment timetable of $214 over 84 months, the borrower would certainly pay $10,475 in charges as well as a rate of interest, for an overall of $17,975.

A consumer proposal is like an interest-free loan. The same debtor with the same beginning consumer proposal of $10,000, would only pay that amount if they went directly to the LIT first. The debtor would have had a maximum of 60 months to complete making the payments with no interest charges at all. A savings of $7,975 and lower monthly payments.

As you can see, involving the debt settlement company increased the cost for an insolvent person dramatically for no value.

Difference between debt settlement and consumer proposal: Other findings

Other findings by the OSB include:

  • the LIT files did not contain any obvious evidence of debt settlement company certification or experience in credit counselling or the counselling of insolvent debtors;
  • consumers who filed with a LIT through the debt settlement company did not have a good understanding of the insolvency process, the options that were available to them or the other charges they were paying to the debt settlement company
  • the consumers were not aware that they could have avoided charges such as paying a debt consultant to prepare the consumer proposal
  • that the documentation made ready for the consumer proposal filing by the debt settlement company and used by the LITs contained many errors
  • Statements of Affairs, as well as Income and Expense Forms submitted, were incorrect in different ways
  • Debt settlement company fees were not disclosed
  • Real estate was always undervalued compared to LIT files where there was no involvement of a debt settlement company

Difference between debt settlement and consumer proposal: What you can do

The OSB is considering its next steps. The OSB is requesting comments. We have already provided ours. Our recommendation was that all LITs who cooperated with debt settlement companies as we have described here should be brought up on disciplinary charges by the OSB. If you agree that this way of doing business on vulnerable and unsuspecting consumers who are truly looking for professional help must stop, please click here to offer your own comments to the OSB.

In the meantime, if you have too much debt, please DO NOT be fooled by the debt settlement companies. Stay far away from them. Instead, contact a LIT directly.

We are debt professionals who will evaluate your situation and recommend which debt relief options are right for you. We will do so in a free consultation. A consumer proposal is one option; there are others as well.

Contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. today for a free consultation. There is no need for you to pay fees to a debt settlement company when you can get the same information from us for free.

You’ll be in good hands and Starting Over, Starting Now you can be well on your way to living a debt free life.

difference between debt settlement and consumer proposal

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Brandon Blog Post

DEBT SETTLEMENT OR CONSUMER PROPOSAL CANADA: REPORT SAYS CONSUMERS HARMED

debt settlement or consumer proposal canada

Debt settlement or consumer proposal Canada: Introduction

In this Brandon’s Blog on debt settlement or consumer proposal Canada, I want to tell you about a recent Government of Canada study. On April 28, 2017, the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB), released its report of its investigation. The investigation began in May 2016, of Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT) business practices in administering consumer insolvencies. The report is titled: “Review of Licensed Insolvency Trustee business practices in relation to administration of consumer insolvencies”. The OSB was becoming increasingly concerned about debt settlement vs consumer proposal Canada and the influence debt settlement companies may have had over certain LITs. I must say that after reviewing the report, I found it shocking.

The purpose of the investigation arose out of concerns over the relationship between debt settlement companies and certain LITs. The OSB wished to decide if LITs were practising per the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA), associated policies and OSB Directives. In 2016 they made up over half of all consumer insolvency cases filed.

The aim of the OSB’s evaluation was to recognize as well as analyze possible threats related to the honesty of some elements of the consumer bankruptcy procedure. Specifically in situations where LITs have become part of companies’ connections (or, other inappropriate business relationships) with fee-charging debt management companies.

Prior blogs

We have warned you for years about the dangers of using these types of companies, including:

We, however, had no idea the harm caused to those most vulnerable consumers by a debt management company.

debt settlement or consumer proposal canada

What relationships did the OSB investigation find?

The OSB report indicates that in 2016:

  1. 17 % (9,660) of all consumer proposal filings, the borrower reported having spent first for liability counselling advice from a debt settlement company before being guided to a LIT.
  1. 57 % (5,500 of 9,660) of the consumer proposal filings for which earlier settlement advice was obtained from LITs that had connections with 2 large-volume debt management companies. These 2 companies represented 64 % of the overall LIT fees reported in 2016 consumer insolvencies filings for debt settlement advice before filing an insolvency proceeding with a LIT.
  1. Thirteen LIT companies, which included one national-level company, were discovered to have several LITs running in a constant and continual partnership with large-volume liability management companies.
  1. For roughly 50 individual LITs within these 13 companies, greater than 40% of their consumer proposal filings were sourced from these settlement companies. For roughly 20 of those LITs, greater than 90% of their consumer proposal work comes from with these 2 companies.

Insolvent debtors sourced through these third parties

Insolvent debtors sourced via these settlement companies had the tendency to go after consumer proposals instead of bankruptcy. On the surface, this is a good thing. As you will read further and in next week’s vlog, you will see the reason was so that these companies could charge in many ways the unwary consumers more money than they should be paying.

The OSB’s investigation showed that the debt settlement companies wrote up the necessary documents. The LITs never met the debtors beforehand.

The OSB investigation determined that:

  1. Before the LIT meeting, consumer borrowers connected and had 2 to 4 conferences with the management companies.
  1. The LIT relied upon the settlement companies’ staff to do all the work relative to the gathering, evaluating as well as confirming the borrower’s information and reviewing and recommending on the bankruptcy alternatives.
  1. In situations where the LIT had a regular relationship with the settlement companies, all facets of the procedure before declaring were normally executed at the offices of the management companies.
  1. Information needed for the filing was typically sent straight from the settlement companies’ management team to the LIT’s management team, usually soon before the meeting at which the consumer proposal filing was to occur.
  1. Debtor conferences with the LIT (a variety of which included the settlement company) varied in the period from 5 to 30 minutes. In some circumstances, the meeting took place just after submitting the proposal with the OSB.
  1. LITs normally met the borrower to file at the settlement companies’ premises.
  1. Sometimes, the authorizing of legal papers likewise happened in many casual areas as well as cities where the LIT did not have an authorized workplace.
  1. Interaction with borrowers on legal obligations, creditor meetings, evaluations by an Official Receiver, proposal changes and voting by creditors, was practically solely performed by the settlement companies’ management staff, that communicate with the debtor.
  1. The debtors reported that succeeding interaction throughout the management of their consumer proposal was additionally with the debt settlement company as opposed to with the LIT.

It appears that these LITs who had these close relationships with the debt settlement companies may have shirked some of their responsibilities under the BIA. These LITs had to sign off confirming to the OSB that they had done the necessary work. By relying upon the work done by unlicensed debt settlement companies, did the LIT really do the work that they are signing off for?

Debt settlement or consumer proposal Canada: So what does this mean?

In next week’s vlog, we will go into detail about what the effect was of all this. For now, you should know that a summary of the results for the consumer included:

  1. Consumers paid thousands of dollars more than they needed to.
  1. Unscrupulous debt management companies (and their cooperating LIT firms) talked consumers into high rate loans under the guise of shortening the time they were under an insolvency administration and improving their credit score.
  1. The debt settlement companies had no certification or experience to give the type of insolvency guidance they were providing.
  1. Legal documents contained countless errors and false attestations.
  1. Creditors received less than they were otherwise entitled to.
  1. Debtors had no idea of either their responsibilities under the process they were undertaking. They were not given the opportunity to experience one of the most important aspects of the Canadian insolvency system, financial rehabilitation.

Debt settlement or consumer proposal Canada: What should you do if you have too much debt?

Consult a LIT first and don’t go to one of the debt settlement companies. There is no federal government approved debt settlement companies. The only government approved debt settlement program is a consumer proposal.

We are debt professionals who will evaluate your situation and recommend which debt relief options are right for you. A consumer proposal is one option; there are others as well.

Contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. today for a free consultation. There is no need for you to pay fees to a debt settlement company when you can get the same information from us for free.

You’ll be in good hands and Starting Over, Starting Now you can be well on your way to living a debt free life.

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Brandon Blog Post

CREDIT CARD DEBT: 9 REASONS HOUSEHOLDS ARE BEING CRUSHED BY CREDIT CARD DEBT

average credit card debt, credit card debt, credit card debt consolidation loan, credit card debt help, credit card reward points, credit card debt settlement, credit card debt solutions, credit card, credit cards, debt settlement company, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, TransUnion, interest rates, budget, how to pay off credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, trustee, nerdwallet.com, starting over starting now, Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc., how to get out of credit card debtCredit card debt because of reward points?

The quest for credit card reward points has caused many Canadians to overspend and get deeper into debt. We’re being lured by the promise of free trips, free merchandise, services and cash back. As a result we’re overusing credit and we’re left with monthly balances that are accruing high interest charges.

The 9 reasons people are being crushed by credit card debt

According to Canada.CreditCards.com:

  1. 52% of Canadian households had credit card debt not being repaid in full by the due date in 2014
  2. Credit card debt as of November 30, 2014: $75 billion
  3. Average credit card debt as of Nov. 30, 2014: $2,627 for each Canadian age 18 or over
  4. Average number of credit cards per Canadian adult: 2.9 in 2013 (including Visa, MasterCard and American Express)
  5. Canadian adult credit card holders carrying cards with rewards: 77% in 2013
  6. The average Canadian household has members belonging to a total of 8.2 loyalty programs

The US statistics are even more eye popping

According to nerdwallet.com:

  1. The average US household credit card debt stands at $15,706, counting only those households carrying debt
  2. Based on an analysis of Federal Reserve statistics and other government data, the average credit card debt per household is $7,327 on their cards
  3. Looking only at indebted households, the average outstanding balance rises to $15,706

What are your reward points really costing you?

Many Canadians don’t understand the true value of reward points. Typically reward points are worth 2% or less. However, annual interest rates are typically in the range of 20%. The reality is that if you’re paying interest on an unpaid balance then you’re really going into debt and not benefitting anything from your reward points. They’re costing you way too much for no return.

Start learning now how to pay off your credit card

TransUnion Canada says for every $1,000 charged in a given month, only about $600 will be paid off by the due date to avoid interest charges. Instead of focusing on reward points, make every attempt to pay off your credit card balance. If you are one of the many not paying off your balance in full each month, stop paying 20% in interest charges by:

  • Making a budget and sticking to it
  • Include some amount in your budget for paying off credit card balances
  • Use cash, not a credit card, to pay for necessities
  • Pay for everyday items with cash

When looking for credit card debt help, people normally first think of either a debt consolidation loan or a debt settlement company. Although these are two of the several credit card debt solutions for settling credit card debt, we caution:

How to get out of debt? Take action right now!

Don’t add more debt to your existing debt and don’t ignore your debt! Contact a trustee for professional help. The Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. Team will evaluate your situation and come up with a solid financial plan to put you back on the right track. We will review your options with you on how to reduce credit card debt and eliminate it, hopefully using one of the bankruptcy alternatives. Call us today and take the first step towards living a debt free life Starting Over, Starting Now.

Call a Trustee Now!