Banks targeting those in bankruptcy for new lines of credit on clarkhoward.com

Clark has some disturbing news to share -- just as the number of bankruptcy filings is likely to hit an all-time high in 2009.

According to The New York Times, banks are buying "trigger lists" from credit bureaus and independent data management firms. These lists compile info about who is in bankruptcy or otherwise in desperate financial shape. Once a bank obtains a trigger list, they target the people on it with horrible come-ons for new lines of credit.

Their "second chance" pitches offer you another shot at rebuilding your credit by opening more of it! One industry insider in the Times article referred to this segment of the market as "creative lending products."

You're typically expected to pay hundreds of dollars to apply for a credit card that may have annual fees of up to $200. Then you're given a credit line that's equal to what they charge you in fees -- so that the risk to the bank is nada. In addition, they charge you massive rates of interest.

Equifax has a proprietary way of culling names for trigger lists called the TargetPoint Predictive Triggers system. Basically, the bureau analyzes data to see a customer's propensity to open new lines of credit within 90 days. The exact formula, however, remains a "secret sauce," according to a spokesperson in the article.

Trigger lists are also common in the world of mortgages. When you apply for a mortgage, your info can be sold so that other marketers can call you and solicit your mortgage business.

This is so far out of line, according to Clark. Here we are in a time when we need to heal both the banking sector and our family budgets, and everybody is trying to slice and dice us to figure out how to take advantage of us. Shame on all involved parties.

Clark wants you to know about this so you can resist the temptation of "second chance" pitches. It's not a lifeline they're offering; it's an anchor around your neck that will make you financially drown.

What others are saying

"...everybody is trying to slice and dice us to figure out how to take advantage of us ."

I don't know that we are any different than this .I don't know that education is any different than what you are saying .I don't know that the family ,the community ,society ,nationalism is any different .Perhaps it is more obvious when times are tough .
By Philip @ 09/05/09 12:43:49 PMreport abuse
confiscating 401(k)s will be worst
Dems Target Private Retirement Accounts
Democratic leaders in the U.S. House discuss confiscating 401(k)s, IRAs
By Karen McMahan
November 04, 2008

RALEIGH - Democrats in the U.S. House have been conducting hearings on proposals to confiscate workers’ personal retirement accounts - including 401(k)s and IRAs - and convert them to accounts managed by the Social Security Administration.

Triggered by the financial crisis the past two months, the hearings reportedly were meant to stem losses incurred by many workers and retirees whose 401(k) and IRA balances have been shrinking rapidly.

The testimony of Teresa Ghilarducci, professor of economic policy analysis at the New School for Social Research in New York, in hearings Oct. 7 drew the most attention and criticism. Testifying for the House Committee on Education and Labor, Ghilarducci proposed that the government eliminate tax breaks for 401(k) and similar retirement accounts, such as IRAs, and confiscate workers’ retirement plan accounts and convert them to universal Guaranteed Retirement Accounts (GRAs) managed by the Social Security Administration.

Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, in prepared remarks for the hearing on “The Impact of the Financial Crisis on Workers’ Retirement Security,” blamed Wall Street for the financial crisis and said his committee will “strengthen and protect Americans’ 401(k)s, pensions, and other retirement plans” and the “Democratic Congress will continue to conduct this much-needed oversight on behalf of the American people.”

More…
Dems Target Private Retirement Accounts
Democratic leaders in the U.S. House discuss confiscating 401(k)s, IRAs
By Karen McMahan
November 04, 2008

RALEIGH - Democrats in the U.S. House have been conducting hearings on proposals to confiscate workers’ personal retirement accounts - including 401(k)s and IRAs - and convert them to accounts managed by the Social Security Administration.

Triggered by the financial crisis the past two months, the hearings reportedly were meant to stem losses incurred by many workers and retirees whose 401(k) and IRA balances have been shrinking rapidly.

The testimony of Teresa Ghilarducci, professor of economic policy analysis at the New School for Social Research in New York, in hearings Oct. 7 drew the most attention and criticism. Testifying for the House Committee on Education and Labor, Ghilarducci proposed that the government eliminate tax breaks for 401(k) and similar retirement accounts, such as IRAs, and confiscate workers’ retirement plan accounts and convert them to universal Guaranteed Retirement Accounts (GRAs) managed by the Social Security Administration.
By mark @ 11/09/08 04:24:05 PMreport abuse

"...everybody is trying to slice and dice us to figure out how to take advantage of us ."

I don't know that we are any different than this .I don't know that education is any different than what you are saying .I don't know that the family ,the community ,society ,nationalism is any different .Perhaps it is more obvious when times are tough .

By Philip @ 09/05/09 12:43:49 PMreport abuse

confiscating 401(k)s will be worst

Dems Target Private Retirement Accounts
Democratic leaders in the U.S. House discuss confiscating 401(k)s, IRAs
By Karen McMahan
November 04, 2008

RALEIGH - Democrats in the U.S. House have been conducting hearings on proposals to confiscate workers’ personal retirement accounts - including 401(k)s and IRAs - and convert them to accounts managed by the Social Security Administration.

Triggered by the financial crisis the past two months, the hearings reportedly were meant to stem losses incurred by many workers and retirees whose 401(k) and IRA balances have been shrinking rapidly.

The testimony of Teresa Ghilarducci, professor of economic policy analysis at the New School for Social Research in New York, in hearings Oct. 7 drew the most attention and criticism. Testifying for the House Committee on Education and Labor, Ghilarducci proposed that the government eliminate tax breaks for 401(k) and similar retirement accounts, such as IRAs, and confiscate workers’ retirement plan accounts and convert them to universal Guaranteed Retirement Accounts (GRAs) managed by the Social Security Administration.

Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, in prepared remarks for the hearing on “The Impact of the Financial Crisis on Workers’ Retirement Security,” blamed Wall Street for the financial crisis and said his committee will “strengthen and protect Americans’ 401(k)s, pensions, and other retirement plans” and the “Democratic Congress will continue to conduct this much-needed oversight on behalf of the American people.”

More…
Dems Target Private Retirement Accounts
Democratic leaders in the U.S. House discuss confiscating 401(k)s, IRAs
By Karen McMahan
November 04, 2008

RALEIGH - Democrats in the U.S. House have been conducting hearings on proposals to confiscate workers’ personal retirement accounts - including 401(k)s and IRAs - and convert them to accounts managed by the Social Security Administration.

Triggered by the financial crisis the past two months, the hearings reportedly were meant to stem losses incurred by many workers and retirees whose 401(k) and IRA balances have been shrinking rapidly.

The testimony of Teresa Ghilarducci, professor of economic policy analysis at the New School for Social Research in New York, in hearings Oct. 7 drew the most attention and criticism. Testifying for the House Committee on Education and Labor, Ghilarducci proposed that the government eliminate tax breaks for 401(k) and similar retirement accounts, such as IRAs, and confiscate workers’ retirement plan accounts and convert them to universal Guaranteed Retirement Accounts (GRAs) managed by the Social Security Administration.

By mark @ 11/09/08 04:24:05 PMreport abuse

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Nov 07, 2008 -- Banks targeting those in bankruptcy for new lines of credit

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