United States Organizations for Bankruptcy Alternatives Chosen to Participate in FTC Panel

USOBA’s Jenna Keehnen and John Ansbach selected to discuss amendments to regulations affecting debt relief services.

Houston, TX (Vocus) October 21, 2009 -- The United States Organizations for Bankruptcy Alternatives (http://www.usoba.org) (USOBA), a trade association dedicated to the advancement of consumer protection in the debt settlement industry, announced today that two of its leaders have been invited to participate in a Federal Trade Commission public forum on the proposed amendments to the Telemarketing Sales Rule regarding debt relief services. USOBA Executive Director Jenna Keehnen and Legislative Chairperson John Ansbach will participate in the forum, scheduled for November 4, 2009 at the FTC’s headquarters in Washington D.C.

Keehnen and Ansbach believe the FTC’s proposed amendments to the Telemarketing Sales Rule may leave the tens of thousands of Americans struggling to get out of debt with fewer options. One of the proposed amendments to be discussed at the forum includes an “advance fee ban” for the debt settlement industry. It would prohibit companies from receiving compensation for the services they provide until all debt has been settled. Such a move would require debt settlement companies (many of whom are small business owners) to work for free for a year or more, a requirement few could meet.

USOBA has a history of working with the FTC to discuss creating greater consumer protection and best practices guidelines within the debt settlement industry.

“We’re honored to be chosen to participate in this panel, because we know just how the proposed regulations may negatively impact debt settlement companies, in spite of their good intentions for consumer protection,” Keehnen said. “We intend to be a voice for leading debt settlement companies at the forum—we work constantly for increased consumer protection, but also understand how the regulations on the table will remove choice from consumers struggling with debt.”

Ansbach added, “Debt settlement is an important, viable option for Americans drowning in debt. We’re looking forward to working with the FTC to provide Americans with strong consumer protections, and at the same time ensure debt settlement companies can operate in a way that is guided by best practices, and is operationally sound.”

Details about the FTC public forum can be found at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/debt.shtm

About USOBA

USOBA (http://www.usoba.org) is dedicated to providing its member companies with important, industry-related information, including compliance requirements, as well as advocating on behalf of its membership for fair and appropriate industry regulation that maintains the utmost in consumer protection. USOBA members are provided a USOBA State Law Summary guide, the only one of its kind in the industry, to better ensure and promote national compliance. This guide contains the laws and regulations, state by state, and has been reviewed by regulators and legislators. For further information, please visit www.usoba.org.

Freedom Debt Relief Becomes First in Industry to Obtain Debt Settlement Licenses in Delaware, Iowa, Minnesota

Company expands business, helps consumers resolve debt (http://www.freedomdebtrelief.com) in 34 states

San Mateo, CA (Vocus) September 29, 2009 -- Freedom Debt Relief (FDR) (http://www.freedomdebtrelief.com) has become the first debt settlement company to become licensed in the states of Delaware, Iowa and Minnesota.

The new licenses expand the company's business operations to 34 states. "We are proud to be the only licensed debt settlement company in these states, able to help consumers in serious debt," said Andrew Housser, co-CEO of FDR.

FDR negotiates directly with creditors on a consumer's behalf to resolve that consumer's debt balance. Settlement amounts are often up to half of what a consumer owes. Offering qualified clients an alternative to credit counseling, debt consolidation, and bankruptcy, FDR's debt settlement programs typically help clients resolve their debts in two to four years. The programs, according to Housser, are best suited for individuals who have serious debt issues, struggle to make minimum payments, and would otherwise consider bankruptcy or credit counseling.

The company, which has led efforts to propose legislation to regulate the debt settlement industry, is one of the first in the debt settlement industry to apply and receive licenses as states adopt new laws. FDR works closely with several state legislatures to protect consumers' rights, and Housser himself sits on the board of The Association of Settlement Companies – the leading association for the debt settlement industry – and has played a lead role in promoting new consumer protection laws in many states.

"We continue to see a problem with transparency in the debt settlement industry, and we want to be a leader in helping change this," Housser said. "Our goal is to ensure that consumers have all the available information and can make decisions based on their needs, not predatory practices. We are proud to be a leader in establishing guidelines, standards and laws to help consumers who need our services the most."

FDR is experiencing record-breaking success for its debt settlement clients, said Housser. In the first eight months of this year alone, FDR settled more than $175 million in consumer debt, saving its 35,000 clients more than $100 million. "People are turning to restructuring their debt through debt relief programs as the economy struggles to stabilize," explained Housser. "With unemployment and credit card charge-off rates both approaching 10 percent, we see increasing demand for debt advice and debt counseling. More than ever, people need information about credit cards, credit scores and debt relief alternatives."

About Freedom Debt Relief (http://www.freedomdebtrelief.com) (www.freedomdebtrelief.com)

Freedom Debt Relief provides consumer debt settlement services. Working for the consumer to negotiate with creditors and lower principal balances due, the company has served more than 60,000 clients since 2002. Freedom Debt Relief is a wholly owned subsidiary of Freedom Financial Network, LLC (FFN).

Based in San Mateo, California, FFN also operates offices in Sacramento and Tempe, Arizona. The company, with 550 employees, was voted one of the best places to work in both the San Francisco Bay Area and the Phoenix area. Company co-founders and co-CEOs Andrew Housser and Brad Stroh were named to the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal's "40 Under 40" list in 2008, and are recipients of the Northern California Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

How To Turn The Credit Crunch Into a Credit Bounce

With the current economic situation many of us find ourselves in difficult times, although there is no need to suffer in silence. Harrington Brooks, a UK-based company, offers debt relief to all those who need debt help with their new range of debt solutions.

(PRWEB) November 21, 2008 -- There was a time -- last season, perhaps -- when crunches were considered good. Back then they were called ab crunches and made your body look amazing. These days, crunches are bad for your wallet and go by multiple names: credit crunch, financial crunch, cash crunch. With all the bad news going around, we're hoping to give you something to smile about.

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You need to try to settle your debts or/and make repayment arrangements with your creditors. Try not to enter into any new credit agreements and focus on paying off what debts you have right now.

The credit crunch causes a reduction in the availability of loans and other types of credit. This has been going on for the last year. We also saw an increase in the amount of bad and toxic debt: the Bank of England estimates toxic debt losses at £1,800bn. Banks hoard cash and do not want to risk defaulting clients. It also means that prices for goods and services are increasing.

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If you're feeling stressed out just thinking about the amount of debt you have, why not read the personal finance blog or section for advice on how to manage your finances. You will find advice on things such as debt management, IVA (http://www.harringtonbrooks.co.uk/individual-voluntary-agreement-iva.php) and personal bankruptcy (http://www.harringtonbrooks.co.uk/bankruptcy.php) besides the occasional posts about how to live a good quality of life on a budget.

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Established in 1998, Harrington Brooks offers people who are in debt a full range of solutions, all under one roof. We have helped over 40,000 clients by repaying over £130 million of debt through Harrington Brooks. Further details on our range of financial solutions can be found at www.harringtonbrooks.co.uk, or by speaking to one of our expert advisors on 0808 131 0040.