Page 40 - Consumer Issues News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

The 100 million Americans currently carrying medical or dental debt could get some relief, after the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau took steps to prohibit credit agencies from including that debt on credit reports. As Julia Char Gilbert - Connelly policy advocate with the Colorado Center on Law and Policy - explained, bad credit scores due to medical debt can create big problems. "Families are increasingly facing barriers to accessing rental housing, a credit card, certain forms of employment," said Gilbert, "all because that medical bill is showing up on th...

In May, Emma McClure and her husband hired BlackStone Partners LLC to rip out and replace their patio. The couple put down a $4,300 deposit, which equated to 50 percent of the project’s total cost.

Fraud prevention experts are getting the word out in Idaho on how to avoid scams. Events across the state in October aim to help people identify and protect themselves from thieves. Cathy McDougall, director of outreach for AARP Idaho, said if you suspect someone of a con, it is best not to engage with them. ...

In response to a growing medical debt crisis in Wyoming and across the nation, the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has proposed banning medical debt from credit reports. Mona Shah, senior director of policy and strategy for the advocacy organization Community Catalyst, said they have heard from countless individuals who were not able to qualify for an apartment, or a car loan, or a job, just because of a bad credit score linked to an unplanned medical event. ...

Washington performs well in a new report scoring states' long-term care systems. The Evergreen State ranked second in AARP's Long-Term Services and Supports State Scorecard. Cathy MacCaul, advocacy director for AARP Washington, said this is an achievement for the state. ...