• Paying debt every month but getting nowhere can cost you years of income and thousands of dollars in interest. Before signing up with a debt management or debt settlement company, understand what debts are covered, what fees you may pay, whether creditors can still sue or garnish wages, and whether forgiven debt could create tax problems. For some people, bankruptcy may provide a faster, more complete fresh start and a chance to rebuild.

  • Thinking About Debt Settlement? Read This Before You Stop Paying Debt settlement may sound like an easier and safer choice than bankruptcy. You have probably seen the ads: “Pay only a fraction of what you [...]

  • Debt-settlement companies promise to reduce what you owe, but creditors do not have to settle. Learn what federal regulators say about growing balances, lawsuits, fees, taxes and other debt-settlement risks before you stop paying your creditors.

  • Debt settlement companies promise relief from overwhelming debt, but creditors do not have to settle and lawsuits can continue. Learn about the hidden fees, growing balances, tax consequences, and alternatives before signing a contract.

  • Merchant cash advances can provide fast cash, but daily withdrawals, stacked MCA loans, SBA loan conflicts, personal guarantees, and bankruptcy risks can quickly put a business and its owner in danger.

  • Bankruptcy Is Not Just Paperwork: Some Simple Mistakes That Can Cost You For many people, bankruptcy is not the first choice. It is usually something they consider only after they have done everything they know [...]

  • Published On: June 13, 2026

    Worried about losing your tax refund when you file bankruptcy in Arizona? Arizona law may protect the part of your refund that comes from the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. Learn what may be protected, what a trustee may claim, and why timing matters before you file.

  • Debt Decisions Have Consequences: Slow Down Before You Act When money is tight, fear can take over. You feel as if a debt storm has caught you. People may feel pressured to make fast decisions: [...]

  • When the Economy Feels Unstable: How to Protect Yourself From Debt in an Unstable Economy Many families feel squeezed right now. Prices remain high, borrowing money is expensive, and many people are using credit cards [...]

  • Published On: November 18, 2025

    Article from the Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Advice, November 18, 2025 Use this action plan to avoid scams Scammers tell lots of different stories to try to get your money or personal information. They might lie and say [...]