December 2018 Unsafe cars, whether caused by prior wreck or flood damage, or other causes, are a danger to drivers, passengers, and other road users. Serious flood damage to vehicles is a regular and growing occurrence. In 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Harvey flooded almost one million cars in a two week period. And estimates are [...]

Case Studies and Recommendations  November 2018 Print in PDF  Reverse mortgages are intended to help elders age in their homes.  Yet, across the country, widows and widowers are losing their homes because of HUD’s failure to prevent foreclosures on reverse mortgages their now-deceased spouses previously obtained.  HUD should take immediate action to better inform reverse [...]

October 2018 Print in PDF In the aftermath of a natural disaster you may feel overwhelmed with the task of putting your life back in order.  Here are some simple strategies for working with your creditors to rebuild your financial life. PRIORITIZING YOUR DEBT Prioritize which debts to pay first.  A natural disaster will lead [...]

Print in PDF  Are you a survivor of a natural disaster? It’s likely that your home is uninhabitable or in need of repairs. Here are some tips to avoid home repair fraud. TIP 1: PREPARATION IS KEY First, assess your situation and prioritize your needs. Consider your financial situation and the resources available to you [...]

October 2018 Print in PDF  From August 1, 2017 through July 31, 2018, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) reported receiving approximately 832 complaints about competitive energy supply companies.  Consumers reported aggressive and deceptive marketing practices targeting vulnerable consumers, as well as excessively high electric bills and difficulty cancelling contracts with energy suppliers.  These [...]

October 2018 Print in PDF  If your home has been damaged by a natural disaster, homeowner’s insurance can give you the money you need to repair or rebuild your home. But beware! There may be others hoping to profit from your misfortune. Scam artists and unscrupulous home improvement contractors flock to areas affected by natural [...]

October 2018  Print in PDF  If your home has been damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster, your home is probably uninhabitable or in need of repairs. You may be anxious to find a trustworthy home improvement company, but be careful who you hire.  Survivors of natural disasters are often targeted by unsavory home improvement [...]

Why the Credit Scoring Provision in the Immigration Public Charge Proposal Is Illogical and Ill-Advised October 2018 Print in PDF  On October 10, 2018, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a proposed rule that would make it much harder for immigrants to obtain visas (including visas to study or work in the U.S.), to [...]