Leadpile’s Blog

As if consumers do not have enough financial stress to worry about, the credit card companies are decreasing credit limits and increasing annual percentage rates. Due to the high number of people without jobs and suffering financial hardship, the credit card companies have had billions of dollars worth of losses. To attempt to fill in the gap, the card companies are making changes effecting card holders who are behind in payments in addition to card holders who have always paid their bills on time and have a perfect history. Credit cards have in the past always been issued to people with an interest rate and credit limit based on their specific risk to default.
With the economy in the state that is has been and many people with additional debt, consumers have been forced to use their credit limits, now faced with paying off balances with interest rates that have doubled or tripled.
According to msnbc.com we are entering a new “era” for credit cards. Previously as many of us experienced, credit card offers would appear daily in your mailbox, each with enormous credit limits and interest rates that were so competitive that it made applying for the card hard to resist. Many people who “couldn’t resist” are now paying for it with the increase in interest.
Possible changes in the near future…The new Credit Card Bill of Rights. The American Bankers association has stated that the new law will limit the amount of credit that is available and it will come attached to a higher price tag. In theory, consumers will have a better idea of long term costs and terms with the new law and will allow them to make more educated decisions.
LeadPile currently helps match consumers with unsecured debt such as credit card debt with debt settlement and debt consolidation companies, but what will change in the future of credit card debt if there is a “credit card bill of rights” that gets passed? Will it really affect anything? Who will feel it the most?

With the holidays finally over and a week into January, it is about time that we get that one last present from the credit card company. What might that present be you ask? A nice fat bill. Whether you did your holiday shopping in the stores or at the comfort of your home online, so many of us just go swipe, swipe, swipe all season long. It really is the the fastest and most convenient way to make a purchase. Sometimes you do not even realize how much you have racked up until it is all down on paper. More times then not, individuals will not be able to pay off the whole bill in one lump sum by the time that the bill is due.
Below are some helpful suggestion for when you realize you have bit off more than you can chew:

1. Use credit cards that offer cash back for purchases – You can put the money you get back towards your credit card bill.
2. Know your interest rate and try to use the card with the lowest interest rate.
3. Do not just pay the minimum balance due – Often that minimum payment will only cover the interest that was charged that month.
4. Get a balance transfer – transfer to a card that offers you a lower interest rate/reward programs.
5. Create a feasible payment plan and stick to it.

In some instances where you find that you are getting into too much debt, try to not feel overwhelmed and that there is no way of getting out of it. There are several options out there to get you back on your feet. For example, debt consolidation or debt settlement might be the perfect solution. Everyday at LeadPile we are matching consumers to debt professionals who are there to help you get the professional advice that you may need. Maybe consider getting help if none of the above options really worked out for you.

With the amount of debt continuing to rise, you may have thought about debt consolidation as one of your options. Just like anything, it is always good to do a little research before jumping into a big decision. For someone who only has a few hundred dollars in debt, consolidation may not be the best options. There are costs that are associated with the actual consolidation process, and it can actually put you more in debt.
For someone who is thousands of dollars in debt, consolidation could be the perfect solution to your problem. Debt consolidation will combine all your debt into one large lump sum with only one payment being made, usually per month. This one payment will also be lower than what your normals bills would have been, and it will also have a lower interest rate.
One helpful tip is to make sure that you find a trusted lender. Since you are already in debt, you do not want to find your self getting ripped off on top if it. Leadpile wants to make sure that all consumer use a trusted debt company, so do your research first!. So, if you think that you are a good candidate for debt consolidation, don’t wait and get further into debt, start consolidating today!

This past June many card companies such as First Third Bank decided they are now charging their customers $19.00 for not using their credit card. They added this fee to help increase their revenue, and a way to “encourage” their customers to use and manage their credit card accounts. With the amount of credit card debt and late payments, is this the only option of increasing revenue? Probably not. A lot of credit card companies such as Amex and Discover will simply send you a notice that your account will be closed if you do not start using the card. This seems much more reasonable than charging your customers for inactivity.
Climbing your way out of debt is hard enough, but fixing your credit score can be even more challenging. When an individual finally pays off their credit card, the first reaction might be to close the card so you do not get yourself into that situation again. However, depending on your debt to credit ratio it can actually lower your credit even more. So what is the best to do? Close your account and potentially lower your credit or leave the account open but get a fee for non use? This really puts people in a pickle.
One option for the consumer is to charge only one or two small items on the card a month. This will keep the card active without getting a fee or affecting your credit in a negative way. If you are one of the many that are in debt, debt consolidation/settlement maybe something worth looking into. Everyday at LeadPile, we match lenders with consumers to try and help with their debt needs, but each person needs to know the basics about their own credit/creditors. Knowledge is power!

Every time you check out at a retail store, do you recognize the statement, “would you like to save 10% on today’s purchase?”

You are getting asked this at all your favorite retails stores, because they are looking to have you open a new store credit card.  This is something that is enticing you to potentially save some money on that current purchase.  Who doesn’t want to save money, so many consumers choose to accept the offer.  However, do you know when you answer “yes”, that is giving that company to pull your credit and potentially affecting your credit score?

Any time anyone applies for new credit it affects your credit and it also affects your overall outstanding bills you are now going to have to pay.  Are these things that you think of when making that split second decision to say, “yes I would like to save 10% with that new credit card?”  According to bankrate.com, there are some pros and cons to retail credit cards.

Pros
• Promotions, discounts and other perks.
• Helps build credit history.

Cons
• High interest rates.
• Low credit limits.
• Lowers your credit score.
• Another spending temptation.

Once consumers have these sorts of credit cards and all other types of credit cards, it creates a potential financial hardship if there is a life changing event (ie- job loss, pay reduction, loss of spouse etc) that could put a consumer in a tough situation. Debt consolidation and debt settlement companies are great services to look into if you are buried in the debt. Leadpile Lead Exchange works a lot with these lead types, and I have to say in recent months there has been a lot more activity in those verticals. This tells me that too many people said “yes I would like to save 10% on this purchase”. Think before getting that next new credit card!

It is official, Yahoo has released it’s 2008 top 10 searches for various industries.  The searches that probably apply the most to Leadpile Lead Exchange and it’s affiliates, are the top 10 “economy” searches.

2008 TOP 10 “economy” SEARCHES  

IRS Stimulus Checks
Oil Prices
Gold Prices
Gas Prices
Dow Jones
Sallie Mae
Stock Market
AIG
Foreclosures
Debt Consolidation

This shows that there is a great opportunity for advertisers and publishers to optimize this by matching up the people needing help in these areas, with the companies that will provide the services they are looking for. Leadpile is the place for both of these parties to come together and truly help the consumers doing all these TOP 10 SEARCHES.

Credit cards are a way of life for most Americans. According to Time.com, in the last 10 years credit card balances have gone up 75%, yet consumer’s wages have gone up only 4%. Increased balances and the number of credit cards consumers have, has allowed credit card companies to reap the rewards for years.  These credit card companies have always survived in tough economic times because they were able to generate lots of revenue from things such as late fees, however more and more consumers are now facing charge off. The charge off rate for default consumers is expected to reach 10%, which is double what the rate has been for the past 10 years. If there are more charge offs, that means credit card companies will be in the RED, because defaults/charge offs will far surpass the revenue they are bringing in from things such as late fees. So, what does that mean will happen?
In the case of American Express, they just became a bank holding company in order to receive some low cost funds and a piece of the $700 billion bailout. In the case of Citigroup, they layed off 10,000 employees and will begin imposing higher interest rates on it’s 54 billion cardholders. With other credit card issuers, there is bound to be some increased interest rates passed down to the cardholders and increased fees. The only way to really avoid the effects of these credit card issuer’s hardships, is for consumers to manage their money better where they avoid any additional late fees and also look at not incorporating any new debt. The only option I can see is looking at debt consolidation or debt settlement to avoid getting in a deeper hole. Leadpile Lead Exchange generates a lot of debt leads where consumers need help and need help now. Hopefully, they can ride the wave before any sort of credit card “bubble” bursts and they are affected in an even worse way.

Sad days for those in AZ and OH with regards to payday loans.  Many are not sure how these initiatives lost in the voting, however they did.  This is going to affect a lot of brick and mortar stores located in these states.  This is a very large deal, because there are quit a few stores located in these states. Where do we go form here?

According to PDL blog, image might have had something to do with being able to get legislation passed on the payday loan industry. Did the misconception of a payday loan really have that much affect on those that were voting on these propositions, or did voting consumers really not want to have payday loans around any longer?  Now some lenders in these states and going to be closing down some of their stores. So how will this affect the internet payday loan industry? Will it be affected?
The good news is that some of these lenders that will be closing down locations, will now be looking at alternative options to offer the consumers. One of the alternatives is a short term unsecured loan.  This type of alternative will then be able to still provide some assistance to those that are in a temporary situation, but do not have the ability to get a payday loan or any other “bank” loan.

Time will tell.  I am sure all eyes will be on this industry to see if this recent legislation will affect what direction other states pursue……. or if there is a way to “try again” to get this legistration overturned.  Leadpile Lead Exchange realizes that there are consumers that really need assistance with their unforseen debt/bills.  We will continue to try and match up those consumers with the lender that can help them take care of this issue.  Loan modification, tax debt relief, debt consolidation, debt settlement, credit repair and others are lead types where we are trying to get the necessary help to the consumers.

Superpages (part of Idearc Media) has implemented a new policy, where if you are a lead generator, you can’t advertise directly for the service you are targeting. For example, all the sites like LowerMyBills, LendingTree, etc., will not be able to advertise under “loan” or “debt consolidation” categories. They are forced to advertise under the “referral” category. 

Also, it appears that if you are a lender or a bank, you will need to fill out a credit application, even if you have been doing business with them for years. The credit cards are not enough as they need to make sure you are not going to go out of business. 

I will keep you updated with news from them. 

Many businesses out there are in need of borrowing money, however they are not wanting to go through the long process of getting a business loan (or they can not qualify for a business loan). Businesses now have an alternative to a business loan, and that is getting a business cash advance. Business cash advance is a business borrowing money based on their credit card receipt volume.
The Leadpile buyers are demanding this new lead type, so we have created a new TEXT Link/landing site + multiple banners for our lead sellers/publishers.
www.USbizcash.com is available in the Leadpile seller account.

There is also the option of hosting our MicroClick form on your own websites too! Take advantage of this large demand and the innovative tools Leadpile provides to you to generate the leads! (http://www.MicroClick.com)

Other HOT offers we have:

- Cash Advance Leads
- Auto Financing Leads
- Credit Card Processing Leads
- New Car Purchase Leads
- Home Improvement Leads
- Debt Settlement Leads
- Credit Repair
- Bankruptcy

Want to make MORE $ with Leadpile? Get started today and receive $100 bonus! – call us today and find out how

Need AUTO FINANCE leads?
How about PAYDAY LOAN leads?
DEBT leads by chance?
What about CREDIT REPAIR leads?
No wait, how about BUSINESS CASH ADVANCE leads?

No matter what type of lead you are looking for, Leadpile is probably generating it…or can potentially generate it for you. Leadpile Lead Exchange is made up of buyers and sellers of real time web based leads. We are always looking for new buyers of leads to join our marketplace. Where else can you:

1. Get various leads types in one place?
2. Set your pricing you are comfortable with?
3. Define exactly what filters you want?
4. Get top notch customer service to answer your questions and provide support?
5. Work with a company that “does the right thing”, and is always wanting to have our buyers and sellers that are “doing the right thing”.
6. Have the ability to have leads posted to your website, redirected to your site, delivered on email or able to downloaded reports at any time!

What are you waiting for? Try out the Leadpile experience!
For those of you that are already buying or selling leads.. THANK YOU!!

In recent months the debt vertical has become a very popular, yet challenging vertical to work with. Understanding reasons consumers have gotten into debt and the specifics that the lead buyers are looking for, has been something we have worked on to fully understand.
According to Bankrate.com there are 10 main reasons why consumers get buried in debt. Understanding more about debt allows consumers to be more educated and ultimately try and avoid these types of situations.

1. Reduced income, but same monthly expenses
2. Divorce
3. Poor money management
4. Underemployment
5. Gambling
6. Medical expenses
7. Not saving money or not saving enough money
8. No money communication skills
9. Spending money you don’t have yet
10. No understanding of money

These are all scenarios any consumer can be faced with, including myself. With the economy being very tough right now, many lead generation companies are focusing on the debt vertical. Fortunately, there are various types of debt help that the consumers can get, but most consumers do not know the difference between one another.
The main details that debt consolidation and debt settlement companies are looking for is the amount of unsecured debt. What is unsecured debt?
Unsecured debt is debt that is not secured by any collateral. For instance, credit card debt, medical bills, cell phone bills and other collection accounts. Most debt companies do not work with secured debt such as mortgages, tax debt, student loans and auto loans.
Leadpile Lead Exchange generates a lot of debt leads. Lead types such as debt consolidation, debt settlement, and credit repair are all types of leads we are generating that are there to assist the consumers with the debt/credit. We are connecting the consumers that need help, with those companies that can help them get out of debt.