County rent debt relief applications due Friday

The deadline for Los Angeles County landlords and property owners to apply for the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs’ Emergency Rent Relief grant program is 4:59 p.m. Friday, January 23 at lacountyrentrelief.com. Eligible applicants include landlords, individuals or entities, “with unpaid rent or other eligible expenses for properties in Los Angeles County,” and homeowners…

Does pay-for-delete really work for collection debt?

A pay-for-delete strategy promises to help your credit score, but navigating this option is a lot trickier than you’d expect. Dilok Klaisataporn/Getty Images Any collection accounts that are listed on your credit report can have a big impact on your finances, dragging down your score and making it harder to qualify for loans, housing or…

Elvis and the Fraud Triangle

In 2022, Warner Brothers released the movie Elvis, which explores the complex and sometimes contentious relationship between the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, and his longtime manager, Colonel Tom Parker, played by Hollywood icon Tom Hanks. Through guile and charm, Parker convinces Presley to give him exclusive control of Presley’s career, which Parker uses…

Credit card debt forgiveness eligibility 2026: Credit card debt forgiveness in 2026 — who qualifies, how issuer relief programs work, credit score impact, and key risks borrowers should understand

Millions of Americans are entering 2026 under mounting financial pressure, with credit card balances at record levels and interest rates still hovering near multi-decade highs. According to Federal Reserve data, total U.S. credit card debt crossed $1.13 trillion in late 2025, while average APRs remained above 21%, making minimum payments increasingly unaffordable for many households.…