Voters Anger Force Congress To Put Limits On Credit Card Rates
Filing for bankruptcy is the last option for people that are in financial crisis and want to get back on their feet. A huge percentage of people that file for bankruptcy – over 40 percent – are forced into it because of a serious health problem
Especially hit hard are the elderly and families where a single woman is the head of the house hold. It’s frightening to think of just how close many people in this country are to foreclosure, bankruptcy, or financial ruin. For many the prospect of even buying a car after bankruptcy filings is an impossible task.
The loss of a steady job is the second largest reason why many people have to file for bankruptcy. An abrupt loss of a job because of company layoffs, company outsourcing, or simply a company going out of business can very easily wreck the financial underpinnings of a family that is already knee deep in debt and practically living from paycheck to paycheck. Those who divorce have it even worse. It can lead to a situation of having to support two households instead of one and also potentially alimony payments.
It can be embarrassing knowing that your financial life can simply be condensed into a bankruptcy credit report entries. Unfortunately, the new bankruptcy law, which became effective October 2005 was basically written by the credit card companies. As you might expect, they changed the law to work in their favor and put in basically no provisions to protect citizens that may have fallen into the above categories.
Recently, however, the U.S. House of Representatives held a vote to freeze the interest rates that credit card companies can charge their customers.
The move was prompted by the increasing amount of anger building up from their constituents who see the banks profiting from the misfortunes of customers. The vote was 331-92, one of the rare pieces of bipartisan votes that have been held recently.
For more information on chapter 7 bankruptcy information / articles, please visit David Hoyer’s website.
