The Right Choice!! S&S Financial Corp™!!
S&S Financial Group Corporation™ has provided consumers with financial Intelligence, S&S Financial Group Corporation™ is a well-established Non-Profit organization, reputable and trusted resource.
Our services are tailored to meet your specific needs. Our trained coaches are available over the telephone, and via the Internet, to review your personal situation and develop a course of action to help you achieve your financial goals.
How can you help me?
We help individuals and families to both prevent and solve money management difficulties.
Confidential, one-on-one coaching sessions (by phone, via the Internet) with a credit coach available to assist you with housing-related issues, debt, credit problems, imminent bankruptcy, or identity theft situations.
Although we are best known for our services for people with severe debt problems, the majority of our programs are designed to help people avoid financial difficulties by learning how to budget, use credit wisely, save and invest for the future, take action likely to prevent becoming a victim of identity theft, or learn the steps to take before buying your first home.
How are your services designed to meet my needs?
S&S Financial Group Corporation™ offers a wide range of financial solutions tailored to meet your needs. Whether you need help with a debt problem, buying your first home, interpreting your credit report, our professional coaches are here for you. Your coaching session may result in various action plans depending on your particular situation. Most of our services are also available via phone or Internet.
What are your fees?
Please refer to our program pricing. We have no hidden fees.
How are you funded?
Our funding comes from public and private donors.
What areas do you serve?
All US Residents
We serve US residents, at large with most of our services by telephone. All of our selected programs are also available to consumers through our website.
Residents of States Other Than California
Our Personal Finance Management program is available to residents across the nation through our website, as are the products ist you with most matters over the Internet, if your need is urgent, please call our Customer Service Department, during business hours, at (925) 709-7411.
If you have a question as to whether or not we can assist you, please contact our Customer Service Department at customerservice@ssfincorp.com
What are your hours of operation?
Our Customer Care representatives are available by phone from Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.;
(Pacific Standard Time).
How can I get help most quickly?
Visit our online application page for faster service.
Credit Education and Budget Solutions
What does it cost?
Our Program is free but limited to funding.
How long does it take?
Most of our program we say to allow anywhere from 60-120 days.
What should I Have On My One- On- One Call?
To get the most from your coaching session, it is very important to have the following information on hand:
• Current statements from your creditors, and or your credit report.
• Current paycheck stub or proof of income
• A good idea of what living expenses you have (rent, utilities, food, etc.)
If you do not have your credit information on hand, we can order a credit report for you and our counselor can review the information with you. Visit www.thecreditcoach.info
Which debts can you help me with?
Our counselor will address all debts on your credit report and other debts such as IRS, collection accounts and medical bills which may not appear on your report. Some debts, however, must be paid directly and may not be included in a debt management plan, such as child support and students loans. Our counselors will work hard to provide you with your overall best options for paying off your entire debt load.
What do you do to keep my personal information (for example, name, address, phone number, and financial information) confidential and secure?
We have developed and implemented policies and procedures to be in full compliance with all federal and state laws concerning privacy.
Will the fact that I sought credit counseling hurt my credit?
No, not at all. If you do not join a debt management plan the credit bureaus will never know that you sought credit or debt counseling.
Credit Education Programs
(prospective clients)
What are the benefits of a Debt Management Plan?
Reduce or eliminate interest and fees; more of your payment goes to reducing your debt
Consolidate your creditors into one single monthly payment
Stop calls from collectors
Shorten payoff time
Automatic deposit service
Will a Debt Management Plan damage my credit report score?
Repayment of unsecured debt directly or through a Debt Management Plan (DMP) will, usually, result in gradual improvement in a consumer's credit score. Most, but not all, creditors show delinquent accounts as current after the creditor accepts the DMP and three consecutive payments have been received.
Per Fair Isaac & Company, the company that created the FICO scoring system formula (a system for quantifying a consumer's creditworthiness), the formula ignores any reference to enrollment in a Debt Management Plan that may be in a consumer's file.
How credit reports or access to new credit will be affected in the future depends on the view of the prospective creditor. Some creditors will see enrollment in a DMP as negative history, but others will regard it as a sincere and responsible attempt to satisfy one's financial obligations
What will enrollment in a Debt Management Plan cost me?
There is no enrollment fee for a Debt Management Plan. The monthly fee for S&S Financial Group Corp™ to administer a Debt Management Plan for you is 5%of monies disbursed by us monthly to your creditors up to a maximum of $39.95 per month, whichever is less.
S&S Financial Corp™ offers a Personal Finance Management. The package includes a copy of your credit report, access to a Personal Finance Management counseling.
How long will a DMP (Debt Management Plan) last?
Clients who complete the DMP will repay in some cases the repayment time can take 48-60 months. During your counseling session, your counselor will estimate the payoff time.
Will I be able to get credit again after being on a DMP?
For the majority of clients on a repayment program, the answer is yes, though some creditors using risk-based-pricing may at first attempt to charge a little higher rate. That is why it is important to shop around for the best rate and terms to meet your individual needs. Many of our clients though actually find their credit better at the point of successfully completing their program than when they began, resulting in a higher credit score, and offered better interest rates.
When you enter an S&S Financial Corp™ Debt Management Program (DMP), S&S Financial Corp™ does not report your participation to credit bureaus. However, each creditor deals with S&S Financial Corp™ clients in a different way. Some creditors may report that your account is included on a DMP -- which in and of itself is not considered negative, according to the bureaus. Creditors may report your account as current when they receive our proposal, while some wait until they have received three consecutive payments or more through S&S Financial Corp™. They acknowledge that you are honoring your debts, rather than taking the perceived easier route of bankruptcy; and after seeing a consistent payment history through S&S Financial Corp™ may look at you as a better credit risk than the typical consumer. A limited number of creditors have stepped up to confirm this view by participating in the
Other creditors will consider your account delinquent (not meeting the original contractual terms) and will continue to report these delinquencies even though you are working with S&S Financial Corp™. They will accept the payment and stop calling you, but they may still report negative information to the credit bureaus. It is up to the individual creditor to make changes in the "History of Payment" column on your credit report. S&S Financial Corp™ cannot remove information from your credit report, but we can assist you in contacting your creditors for a review of your account or supply a letter to summarize your consistent paying history, which is most critical to your program success and re-establishing credit.
Credit Education Programs
(current clients)
My creditors keep calling me. What should I do?
Expect the calls to continue for the first 90 days of the Debt Management Program as creditors may take that long to process the proposals that we send them. In addition, some creditors will not give you their interest rate concession until you have made three consecutive payments. During this period, give any creditor who calls you your client number, our phone number and your expected deposit date. Once the 90-day period has ended, the call volume from your creditors will usually stop.
What happens when I pay off an account? Will my deposit decrease?
The goal of the Debt Management Program is to get you out of debt within 36-60 months. When you pay off an account, the payment that was going to that account will be applied to another account -- either to an account which has the highest interest rate or to the creditor with the smallest balance. If all else is equal, we'll divide the extra amount amongst all of your remaining creditors.
To pay off your debt as quickly as possible, your monthly deposit should stay the same.
Should I notify S&S Financial Corp™ if I am going to miss a payment or am not able to send in the full amount?
It is very important that you immediately contact a =S&S Financial Corp customer care representative to notify us that you will miss a payment or only make a partial payment. Please provide a brief description of the problem so that the information can be notated on our file and we can convey the information to your creditors.
If you miss payments or make partial payments, late or past due fees may be charged by your creditors for the months a full payment was not received. Additionally, if you miss a payment or make partial payments over two or more months, your creditors may discontinue your debt management plan with them, ending the interest rate and other concessions associated with the plan.
How do I make changes to my electronic withdrawals?
If you are enrolled on the ACH program for automatic electronic withdrawals of your payments, you can make changes in the amount to be withdrawn by calling one of our customer care representatives and requesting a change, on our website. We must receive your completed change form at least 10 days prior to the scheduled payment withdrawal.
Can I add new accounts on to my existing plan?
Accounts that were not included in the Debt Management Plan originally may be added at a later date. However, please note that some creditors will automatically reject the addition of an account to the plan for certain reasons such as:
evidence of recent charges
the account was opened within the past nine months
the account was on another type of "hardship" plan with them (the creditor) or another agency.
Also, if you add accounts on, the payment on the new account will be accelerated to pay the new account off within the same time frame left on your original DMP agreement.
Can I change my payment due date at any time?
Yes. But you must also make sure that you notify your creditors to change their due dates to correspond with the new payment due date you want with S&S Financial Corp™. This will ensure that payments get credited in a timely manner and that late payment fees are not charged.
How often should I send S&S Financial Corp™ my creditor statements?
In order for us to have the most accurate record of the outstanding balances for all your accounts, we ask that you send in your statements at least every six months. You may either fax or mail them to us. We will update your balances immediately.
It is important for you to continue to review your creditor statements, throughout your debt management plan. You should compare your S&S Financial Corp™ account statement with your creditor statements each month to ensure that payments are being posted in a timely manner.
What can I do if my circumstances change and I can no longer maintain the same payment due to a loss of income or increased expenses?
We offer re-counseling for all individuals on the program that may be struggling to meet the original payment amount due to higher expenses or decreased income. You can call a customer care representative to schedule a re-counsel appointment with any one of our certified counselors. The counselor may be able to obtain agreement from your creditors to temporarily reduce your payments until you are able to resolve some of your difficulties and get back on track again.
Can I request that extra funds (that I send or that result from one of my creditors being paid in full) be sent to a particular creditor?
Yes. We must have disbursement instructions in writing and we must receive the requests in advance of our disbursement date so that we have time to make the changes. A change request form must be completed at any one of our offices. It will be forwarded to our office where payments are posted and processed.
Once I join the DMP, may I continue to use credit occasionally?
If you wish to remain on the DMP, you cannot obtain any "new" creditor continue using credit cards that are included in the repayment plan (use of business cards not included in the plan may be permitted--speak with your counselor for details). Using credit outside of these parameters can result in creditors automatically revoking concessions or dropping you as a client.
Can I review my account information during non-business hours?
Yes. You will have access to your account information at any time through our website. Just register under client login and you will have access to your latest account information. You can even update and change your balances yourself if needed.
I am nearing the completion of my debt management plan. In six months, I expect to have paid off my debt in full. Is there anything I can do now to start rebuilding credit and improve my credit report? Congratulations on your achievement! The place to start is with your credit report. Before taking the steps to improve your credit, you need to know where you currently stand. We will order your updated Credit Reports, then start your 90-day course of action plan.
To start rebuilding your credit, you may obtain a secured credit card while still on a DMP. A secured card is issued when you deposit money into an account in a financial institution. Many secured cards start with a deposit of between $250-$500. When you use the card, you are allowed to charge up to 100% or 150% (depending on your card) of the deposit and make monthly payments so that your balance doesn't exceed the allowable line of credit. You need to make monthly deposits into the account and use it sparingly and carefully. To shop for the best rates on secured cards, visit www.bankrate.com <http://www.bankrate.com>. Before applying for any secured card, make sure to ask if the issuing company reports activity to the credit bureaus. If they do not, find another credit granter who will (otherwise you will not be effective in building a positive payment history with the credit bureaus).
The fact that you have been paying down your debt over course of DMP, in and of itself, will improve your credit standing. The lower your debt, the better your credit report. Other ways to improve your credit report and score include paying all of your bills on time, increasing your savings and assets and limiting applications for new credit. Prior to obtaining new cards, our counselors strongly suggest that you create an emergency savings fund to cover three to six months of living expenses, so that you will not be forced to use credit the next time you encounter an unexpected expense, needlessly running up the balance.
You've come a long way already. Now take the steps you now to improve your credit further and remember that after you have paid off your DMP, many creditors will take off any mention of you being on the DMP after a period of 3-6 months. Good luck!
Identity Theft
What exactly is identity theft?
Identity theft is the obtaining or use of a person’s identifying information without authorization.
How do the thieves get the information?
Identity thieves use a wide variety of tactics to get information including discretely copying account numbers, stealing mail, stealing trash (dumpster diving), asking for confidential information under false pretenses (fishing and telemarketing scams), computer spyware, hacking into databases, electronically copying credit card magnetic strip information (skimming), and taking discrete pictures of credit card or financial account information.
Why is identity theft such a big problem now?
Electronic reading and recording devices and electronic storage of information have made it easier for thieves to access, read and record (i.e. copy) large amounts of data quickly. The stolen information is then used to perpetrate fraud, usually credit card and check fraud.
What is preventing law enforcement from arresting the growth in identity theft cases?
Some identity theft rings have been broken up with arrests made. For example, an arrest was made with regard to the widely publicized ChoicePoint data leak. However, in many individual cases, it is not always easy to establish who perpetrated a fraud. If a person uses an account opened under a false name, SSN, and address, it may not be easy to track that individual down.
What is law enforcement overall doing about identity theft?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has some excellent information on its website covering identity theft issues, including a consumer complaint form. The information inputted into the complaint is fed into the Consumer Sentinel Database, which is accessed by both local and national law enforcement agencies throughout the nation including the Dept. of Justice, FBI, Secret Service, and Treasury Dept., to help spot patterns in ID theft cases.
What can I do to protect myself against identity theft?
- Get a secured or lockable mailbox.
- Place outgoing mail in secure postboxes. Do not leave mail out to be collected by the mailman.
- Shred or burn documents that contain identifying information.
- Opt out of direct marketing programs to reduce the amount of unsolicited mail you receive.
- Register on the FTC’s "Do Not Call" registry.
- Be cautious about providing confidential information to third parties.
- Keep Social Security cards in a safe place at home (not in your wallet).
- Keep papers with confidential information locked away.
- Place passwords on bank accounts, credit accounts, and phone accounts and change them regularly.
- Place passwords on computers and change them often.
- Use firewalls, anti-virus software, and encryption programs to protect computer data.
- Download information only from sources or sites with which you are familiar.
- Review your credit reports regularly (at least once a year).
- Place a Security Freeze on credit reports.
- Do not leave laptop computers unattended in insecure locations, especially an unattended car.
How might I find out about an identity theft problem?
Consumers might find out about an identity theft problem when they apply for a home loan, try to buy a car, or ask for a new line of credit. Consumers may also discover a problem when they review a copy of their credit report, when they apply for a job or discover fraudulent expenses in credit card bills.
What can I do about identity theft once discovered?
There are FIVE critical steps to overcoming an identity theft problem.
Place a fraud alert with one of the national credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
File a police report
Contact the FTC, file an ID theft complaint, and complete the ID Theft Affidavit.
Dispute fraudulent accounts with the credit reporting agencies.
Dispute fraudulent charges on legitimate accounts with creditors.
This will be very time-consuming. Is there anyone who can help me with this problem?
Because the identity theft resolution process can be overwhelming, S&S Financial Corp™ offers several services to help those with identity theft problems. We offer individualized counseling and an Identity Theft Resolution Guide to help victims understand the problem and know exactly what to do about it. We also have Identity Theft Prevention and Resolution workshops that cover the information in a group setting. For even greater assistance, we provide a professional resolution service that, via a special power of attorney, provides our clients with complete assistance, from placing the fraud alert to writing the dispute letters and following up with the credit bureaus, if needed.
What if the police do not want to take an identity theft report?
Given the growing problem of ID theft, police are more sensitive to the need for a police report to stop the fraud. However, if you run into difficulty, most police will take a report if reminded that under the new Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act), a police report is required to have the credit reporting agencies block disputed data in ID theft cases. If you still have difficulty, contact your local Sheriff’s office or District Attorney’s office.
Should I cancel all of my credit cards?
This is not necessary if there has been no fraudulent activity on any of your accounts. However, you should place a unique password on each account (something new, not your mother’s maiden name or your pet’s name).
Should I change my Social Security Number?
No, that only confuses the issue as to who you really are. Also, with a new social security number, you may not be able to get credit, as there is no credit history. Alternatively, your new number may be linked with the old and therefore subject to potential theft as well.
What if someone stole my checks?
Notify your financial institution immediately and close the account. Transfer your funds to another account. Contact all merchants with whom you have outstanding checks and make alternative payment arrangements. Contact your financial institution’s check verification company and ask them to stop all of your checks. File a police report and an FTC consumer complaint.
Will I be responsible for the NSF charges?
Your financial institution will usually waive NSF fees if it is notified immediately of the stolen checks. Merchants may waive their fees if they are notified of the problem and paid before the check bounces.
What if my DMV record has fraudulent data on it?
You should file a police report immediately. Next, prepare a statement describing the fraud. It is important to keep detailed records describing the issue and the steps you have taken to correct it. Be sure to keep a listing of names and numbers of anyone you contact in order to rectify this situation. If a citation was issued in your name, check on the time and day when the citation was given. If you were at work, you can get a letter or copy of your timesheet from your employer that confirms this. If you become aware of the court date set for the citation, you can take with you to the court your employer’s letter or a copy of your timesheet as evidence that you were at work when the citation was issued. Finally, contact your Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) fraud assistance unit. In California, call the California DMV fraud unit, toll-free, at 866-658-5758.
How often should I review my credit report?
At least once a year. However, every six months is better.
How can I get a free copy of my credit report?
The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT) requires the three Credit Reporting Agencies to provide one free credit report to each consumer every year. You may request your free copy of your credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com online at www.annualcreditreport.com and via telephone at 877-322-8228.
Should I get a credit report from all three major credit reporting agencies?
Generally speaking, it is best to view all three reports at once so that you are fully aware of what is contained in each. This is especially true if you are planning to borrow in the near future. However, you may also want to view one agency report every 4 months thus enabling you to view all three for free over the course of a year.
How do I read my credit reports?
Each credit reporting agency provides its reports in a different format. Sometimes a key is provided to help consumers understand the data contained in the report. Consumers may also elect to use a reputable credit counseling agency to review the credit report with them and explain it in detail. S&S Financial Corp™ provides this service and can order your reports, including credit scores, for you.
Credit Report Review
What is a credit reporting agency?
A credit reporting agency is a for-profit company that gathers, stores and updates information on consumers. They keep personal information such as names, addresses, previous addresses, and employers. They note any information about you that is available in the public record and which might have a bearing on your financial stability, such as judgments, bankruptcies and liens. They also keep and update information on your use of credit, the kinds of credit you have and how you use it. They track how much debt you carry, the frequency and amount of your payments and the new applications for credit that you submit.
Creditors use this information to determine whether or not to offer you credit and what terms (interest, fees, and penalties) should be provided to you.
Credit reporting agencies deal with information. They have no vested interest in whether or not you can obtain credit or are denied credit. Their main concern is the accuracy of the information that is in their files because their subscribers (credit grantors) pay for accurate data.
What are the main credit reporting agencies?
Trans Union, Equifax, Experian are the biggest. They do not share information with each other, except for consumer "fraud alerts," and they are competitors, not government agencies.
Can I obtain free credit reports?
You can always obtain a free credit report if you have been turned down for credit, a job, insurance or rental property within the last 60 days because of information on your credit report or if you have been a victim of identify theft.
You are also entitled to one free credit report each year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies. To obtain your free reports call (877) 322-8228. Hearing impaired consumers can access the TDD service at (877) 730-4104. You will have to pay a small fee (between $5-$7) to get your credit scores.
Why should I access my credit reports?
A recent U.S. Public Interest Research Group study found that nearly eight in 10 credit reports have factual errors and one in four have errors serious enough to result in a borrower being denied a loan.
A recent U.S. Public Interest Research Group study found that nearly eight in 10 credit reports have factual errors and one in four have errors serious enough to result in a borrower being denied a loan.
Credit limit data is often inaccurate. Since your credit limit to outstanding debt ratio makes up 30% of your credit score, if your credit limit is understated it can negatively affect your credit score. The idea is to use no more than 20% of your available credit.
To verify that each account is correctly reported as paid or unpaid.
To make sure that your name and address are correct.
To verify other information and to ensure that you are not a victim of identity theft.
When does negative information drop off my report?
The truest negative information (30-, 60-, 90-day late payments, charge-offs, etc.) may legally remain on your credit reports for seven years from the date of the last transaction on the account. Bankruptcies and judgments generally remain on a consumer's credit report for 10 years. If the negative information has been left on the credit reports for longer than these times, you may write the credit bureaus and request that the outdated negative information is removed.
What do the codes on my credit report mean?
I = installment debt
R = revolving debt
M = Mortgage debt
R 1-9 = (best 1 to worst 9)
Charge-off = means the creditor has written the account off as a bad debt for tax purposes but this does not mean you are no longer responsible for the debt.
Our credit counselors will explain other codes used in credit reports.
Should I close accounts I no longer use or if I feel I have too many accounts?
Closing an account is often not a good idea. Closing an account may negatively affect up to 45% of the factors that make up your score. It will shorten your credit history (15% of the score) and reduce your overall credit availability thereby increasing your outstanding debt to available credit ratio (30% of the score).
Home Purchase
What do you charge for pre-purchase/first-time homebuyer counseling?
Pre-purchase/first-time homebuyer counseling is free of charge.
What is a credit score?
A credit score is a number determined by a statistical model to predict the likelihood of a borrower repaying a credit obligation. It is based on previous credit performance, a current level of indebtedness, amount of time credit has been in use, the pursuit of new credit and types of credit available. The goal of a credit score is to rank an individual in relation to others and to industry standards for the purpose of making lending decisions. The higher the score, the more likely the borrower is to pay his/her bills on time. Thus, lenders offer borrowers with higher scores better interest rates and stipulations.
Credit scores range from approximately 300 (lowest) to 850 (highest), as each credit bureau has its own scoring model with different highest and lowest scores.
How high a credit score do I need to purchase a house?
That depends on the mortgage program you choose. There are many programs available that accept less than perfect credit and still offer good interest rates. However, a lower credit score can result in your paying a higher interest rate. Make an appointment to meet with one of our housing counselors to undertake a credit report review. At that time our counselor will give you a plan for improving or correcting your credit report, to help you increase your score.
Should I close all/any of my credit card accounts?
Not necessarily. This will depend on your personal situation. In some cases, closing your accounts may actually decrease your credit score. Our counselor can help you determine what best to do.
Will lenders require all my debts to be paid off before I buy a house?
Mortgage lenders do not normally require that any debts be repaid in full. However, the minimum payments required for any outstanding debts will impact your debt to income ratio and may lower the amount of mortgage loan for which you will qualify.
How high of a mortgage loan do I qualify for?
This will depend on your gross income and outstanding debt obligations. Different lenders have a different debt to income ratios they find acceptable when they are asked to pre-qualify you for a home loan. When you are ready to purchase a home, the first step is to develop a budget to establish if you can afford to make the payment on the loan for which you qualify. S&S Financial Corp can help you do this in a counseling session or in a first-time homebuyer workshop.
You may be able to qualify for a mortgage loan amount which is higher than you can truly afford. A comprehensive analysis of your budget will enable you to establish how much house that you can afford.
Credit Education Enhancement Services
Q: What type of credit Cards are these?
A: Major credit card or Secure Credit Card.
Q: What banks are these credit cards from?
A: They are from national well-known banks.
Q: How long will it take to get on my credit report?
A: We like to say 45-90 days.
Q: How long will a trade line stay on my credit report?
A: It will stay open for as long as you make your payments.
Q: Are the new credit cards reported to the three major credit bureaus?
A: Yes they are.
Q: How will I know when the credit cards get on my credit report?
A: We will inform you when the credit card is on your credit report.
Q: Will these credit cards show on my credit report as installment or revolving?
A: They will always show as revolving.
Q: Will I be shown as an authorized user or as a joint credit card holder?
A: You will be shown as a primary user. These credit cards are used re-establish and raise your credit scores.
Q: What is the typical increase of a customers credit score with one Credit Card?
A: Scores cannot be pre-determined but scores can raise as much as 150-200 or more points.
Q: Since the minimum payment due will affect my debt ratio, are the balances and payments really low?
A: Yes they are. This has been taken into account. Actually, the balances and payments on the cards are always low.
Q: How many credit card can I get?
A: You can get as many as 2-3 for maximum results.
Q: Can I get credit cards now and get some later?
A: Yes you may.
Q: Can I pay in installments?
A: Yes We offer a payment plan to suit your needs
Q: What is the credit limit on these cards?
A: They have limits from $300 - $500.
Q: Can I pick the amounts I want my credit card to be?
A: No, but the amounts may vary.
Q: Will I be able to use these Credit Cards?
A: Yes
Q: Is there a money back guarantee for the service?
A: Yes. If it doesn’t show on your credit report in 60 days, you will receive a 100% refund. Thankfully, we have never had to refund.
Q: How do I make my payments
A: All payment will be paid directly to your credit card company