NWCLC Staff, Author at Northwest Consumer Law Center

Disputing Errors on Your Credit Report

Have you ever looked at your credit and noticed that something was off? It may be that you do not recognize a debt or that your home address is wrong. Even if this hasn’t happened to you, accurate credit reporting is a huge factor in your financial well-being. A clean and precise credit report is…

Unmasking Racial Disparities in Credit Reporting

In our ongoing pursuit of justice and equity, we wanted to shine a spotlight on an issue that has long affected minority communities: racial disparities in credit reporting. While credit scores play a crucial role in financial opportunities, these disparities have sustained systemic inequality and hindered economic progress for many. Let’s go ahead and address…

How to Obtain Your Free Credit Report

You probably heard how important credit scores are about a million times, however it doesn’t hurt to hear it again! Credit scores are a powerful tool and knowing what your score is essential to your financial well-being. Let’s get started on how we can obtain a free credit report! Before diving in, it’s essential to…

From Financial Struggles to Empowered Stability in Retirement.

Overwhelmed with the challenges of managing his finances and dealing with chronic health issues, Joshua* found himself on a daunting path toward retirement. Living on a fixed income with increasing debt proved to be an immense challenge, so he reached out to his family for support. In 2019, with the help of his family, Joshua…

Exploring Options for Private Student Loans: What Borrowers Need to Know

With all that’s going on surrounding student loans, private student loan borrowers have been feeling left behind as the focus has been on federal loans. Private student loans, for some borrowers, can be a necessary resource for funding higher education, and they come with their own unique considerations and challenges. Unlike federal student loans, which…

How to Deal with Your Federal Student Loans Post-SCOTUS Decision

On Friday, June 30, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court rendered a highly divided decision that blocked President Biden’s federal student loan cancellation plan, with six of the justices striking down against cancellation. This decision had a significant impact on nearly 40 million Americans who were anticipating relief from overwhelming student loan debt. While we are…

Managing Payments and Exploring Options For Borrowers in 2023

The federal government paused student loan payments and interest accrual on federal loans in March 2020, but that pause is set to expire this fall, with interest accrual starting September 1st and payments resuming October 1st. Throughout the payment pause, it is possible that your loans were transferred to a new loan servicer (or…

Rebuilding Futures

Evan* approached NWCLC when he found himself overwhelmed by mounting credit card debt and student loans. Evan was facing daily struggles of managing a chronic health condition that significantly impacted his mobility and ability to work a full time job and pay off his debts. After exploring all of his options with NWCLC, he ultimately…

Triumphing Over Debt

Jason* was facing a daunting lawsuit from a debt collection company for nearly $15,000 in medical debt that he could not afford to pay. Over the course of several years, Jason endured multiple surgeries and spent months hospitalized. Compounded by his significant immunocompromised state, Jason was forced to make a difficult decision to resign from…

How The Fair Shot Act Will Keep Families Out of Poverty

On May 9th, 2023 Governor Inslee signed The Fair Shot Act into law. This significant legislation was a direct response to the growing living costs in our state, addressing the need for updated personal property exemptions that reflect the current economic reality in Washington for low and moderate income families. With The Fair Shot act…