This must be scam week. People are getting desperate because of the economy, and now our government has gotten onboard the scamming. The government hate competition.

This story terrifies me @Sambecks C. - to find out that stupid people are having children.

@Muskrat McDougal - The woman said she feels stupid. Wasn't that good enough for you? She could have stayed quiet and not warned other people of this scam that has taken money from hundreds of people. I'm proud of her for speaking out, no matter how others might perceive them.

She is not warning people, KSL is warning people, but... @Linda B. - You are absolutely correct. There are at least hundreds of stupid people lined up to do the same thing. This woman nor KSL can help them.

Also, I'm not proud of her, you can be, it's your right.

@Steve Svensen - First and foremost, if you aren't up with the times, EVERYONE should be weary of quick loans, in this day and age it seems to be much easier to scam someone, now I don't know if people are just being careless and not doing their homework or if the help of the internet is enticing people.

The thing is normally if it sounds too good to be true, then it is. I'm sorry I'm not going to take out a loan where I have to do an advance, thats just asking for trouble, it would be different if it was my bank, but a company I know NOTHING about I would never just give them any money, I wouldn't care if it was just a simple penny.

Tyrunt, @Tyrunt - Well said. I don't have any sympathy for people like this family that do stupid things like this and then regret it when someone takes their money. If you are naive or just plain dumb enough to send some company in Victoria B.C. in return for a big loan, well, be prepared to get took.

I love it Cankerpuss.... @Cankerpuss - you and others with attitudes like yours on this issue. Because we all know that you have NEVER screwed up in your life. You have never done anything stupid.
There's not many things in life more chicken ____ than pointing out another beings faults in the word of cyberspace, pushing down a person as they try to get up from a fall and even admit their mistake! Wow cankerpus you should be proud!

CMM @CMM - I never said that I'm putting anyone down for falling for scams. I'm sure everyone has at one point in time, all I said was that people need to be careful with all the resources that are out there for scammers to scam people.
The internet is one of the most common ways for scamming people, then there is the junk mail we all get in our everyday mail (not email).
I just think that most of us who pay attention to the news and sometimes even commercials, it's advertised to make sure you cover your butts, because of vast amount of scammers out there.
I hate to see anyone get scammed, but yet on the other hand, there are those who IGNORE all the signs of a possible scam and do it anyway; those kinds of people I have absolutely no sympathy for, because thats just shear stupidity on their part.

Hey mr Mcdougal @Muskrat McDougal - Easy there, Im sure you are no way near perfect. So just watch who you call stupid. Im sure your God is patient with you by giving you more time on this earth to work through your imperfections so cut other people some slack and let them work through theirs.

I'm not perfect @Y_13-0_08 - More importantly, the BYU is not perfect.

But you're right Mr. 13-0, and I apologize for making a joke at the expense of the self-made victims.

Muskrat @Muskrat McDougal - Your lack of compassion is disgusting....maybe you should go live with all of those filthy animals you're always talking about.

@Muskrat McDougal - Your time is coming mr. infallible.

And when that time comes @Martin M. - I will blame myself for being a complete moron.

@Y_13-0_08 - I for one am watching who I call stupid. And I'm calling that lady and her husband stupid. They search online for some unknown, "too good to be true" business, and get a $10,000 loan?! Obviously, they didn't do any research. A 5-minute phone call to the Better Business Bureau could have given them some much-needed insight, and so would have a few minutes of searching online for reviews of that loan company. I'm sorry, but what they did is simple stupidity.

Notice they didnt show the outside, @Muskrat McDougal - Of the house.Probaly had a bayliner,a couple of 4-wheelers,maybe a lifted F150,and an Escelade parked outside.Typical Utah "Keeping Up with The Joneses" mentality.

@Fed Up With ILLEGALS!!!! - Bayliners are pieces of junk. Go for the Four Winns.

@Fed Up With ILLEGALS!!!! - She's living with her parents now. So even if there were four wheelers outside, whose to say they are hers.

@Jenny S. - Absolutely.

***************************Don't be so judgemental****************************** @Muskrat McDougal - Where's the compassion for this family? There's NO need to bash on them, we ALL make mistakes and learn from them. Sure it wasn't a smart move to give money to a company you don't know, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I'm pretty sure they learned there lesson. Give them a break, I'm sure sometime in the future you'll make a mistake, and wouldn't want anyone mocking you.

@JellyBeans - Yeah, sometime in the future I'm going to make a mistake, but I'm not going to the press to announce to the world how stupid I was. Anyone with half a brain would know to stay away from that kind of "business."

m&ms @m&ms - someone needs to give you a beating. Did this family make a bad choice, yes. Are they now helping others who might have been susceptible to making the same bad choice, yes. Get off your high-horse of perfectionism and do something good for someone yourself.

you are a jerk @Muskrat McDougal - If you have a family to take care of you would do about anything to make sure they have a roof over there head and food on the table. They may not have been the smartest with their money but at least they are helping others from being scammed.

Whos Government???? @Sambecks C. - Are you talking about this story? because im pretty sure the loan company was from Canada or are you from Canada? Nice conspirancy theory.

Just looking at the photo, @Sambecks C. - I can see where some needs and wants got mixed up. Sure, they need a dining table and chairs, but that sure is a purty set. Sure you could use something to hold up the television, but that sure is a nice "something."

Sell the microfiber couch, sell the TV and entertainment center, sell the pretty dining table and chair, and downgrade. That's just my recommendation from one stinkin' photo.

How about?? @ThinkFirst - How about quit having babies and have HER get a job too. She is probably 19. Let me guess, they live in Utah County?

Wow!! Ignorance is Bliss! @John78 - The Utah County remark is great especially when it clearly states in the article that they live in LaVerkin, Utah. That is Washington County, sir. That is a simple reading error. I can not stand people that make assumptions about others.

I happen to know this individual personally. She has had many difficulties that were out of her control. Their financial difficulties are a result of that in addition to our failing economy.

Please do not make assumptions about people because one day you just may be in the same position.

ThinkFirst.... @ThinkFirst - You need to live by your title, thinkfirst.... Re-read the article, it says they are now living with parents... hmm... did ya thinkfirst, maybe that photo was taken at the parents home?!!! Wow what a thought!

If YOU re-read the article, @CMM - you will see that they are moving in with her parents, they haven't yet moved in with them. And if you watch the video, the reporter specifically mentions they can't afford the rent for their home here and will be moving in with her parents.

BOOYAH!

Now, go sell your couch and TV.

I have the key. I remember an old Cheech and Chong movie about being on acid and having the key.

The key here is to not get into desparate financial straits. Thus endeth the lesson.

Me too. @Franky Franklin - I saw that movie too. Timothy Leary was the guy with the key. Right on! You are correct.

Up in Smoke @Franky Franklin - was a better movie..

Up in Smoke @Codger - And they had a cooler van.

don't get into financial stratits @Franky Franklin - So tell your employer not to cut your hours or lay you off because the economy is really not bad and they don’t have to cut their costs by cutting you.
Sometimes things happen and you do not have control over them, I'm sure the household items were purchased before the times got bad and then the cutback or layoff's happen. Read the paper listen to the news a lot of people are in trouble now because of the times and lay off’s or cut backs not because of their spending. Desperate people look for hope anywhere and sometimes hope overrides good judgment don’t blame them until you walk a mile in their shoes to see what the true story is.

If It Seems Too Good To Be True If somebody wants you to pay money in order to get money, something might be fishy.

@bobsterk - If somebody wants to borrow money to pay loans that fish has whirling disease.

it's absolutley stupid @bobsterk - is what it is. how dumb can you be? you need money so you try to get a loan but you have to send them money first? uh.....hello? it takes all kinds. they were just talkin about another guy who applied for a job to move furniture for $500 and before he did the job the company sends him a $5500 check tells him to cash it and take out the $500 and wire the rest back. So he does that and gets arrested cashing the check. all i can say is IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One thing I have learned in this life @Truestory4 - is that for every scam there is a doofus willing to participate. It doesn't matter how crazy it may seem you can bet that some nincompoop will sign up and then complain later when they realize they were the butt end of a bad scam.

Afterall, we are dealing with Americans. Obviously since Americans are electing Obama, a communist and socialist bent on destroying the American Constitution, they aren't that smart. In fact, Americans are probably the dumbest people on the planet.

I am sorry this happened This is too bad. Its a shame to see the moral fibers of society decay.

It is too bad @Sam - But I do not feel bad for them. If you are too dumb to not look into what you are doing, then you get whats coming. I feel bad for the child she is holding. If they were suckered in by this who knows what this kid's future holds

1. don't buy things you can not afford.
2. If it is too good to be true, it is.

Basic Economics 101 @whitewater - You cannot borrow money to get out of debt.....

Thought but have lagorhea @Think b4 you speak - Exactly. Now the gov needs to put more restrictions on bankruptcy. I know a family that has in the last two years received cash, not loans but cash (settlement, retirement withdrawal, equity, ect.) over the sum of 200,000, and still wracked up an equal amount of debt. Now chapter 13 is going to bail them out. Lets do the math.. that's nearly half a mil in stuff, I could buy three houses and three cars with that. So any way the husband knowing his credit limit is the stars (they love loaning to these shmucks for some reason)is out charging what he can cause he knows what they don't.
It is OK we will pick up the bill right? You don't mind do ya guy's. Have comfort in the fact that instead of the couple living in that several story house they will be renting a two bedroom because no one will ever give them a loan again.
BTW if your reading this guys no offense intended. You know me not the typical Utahn I tell it how it is, and yes will tell it to your face if the opportunity presents.

Sorry @dan - I guess lagorhea would not apply when I am writing.

Wait a minute, Company you go to, too borrow money from ask for money upfront hello peopled that is not how it works. They "screwed" themselves over.

ru sure @I Want The Truth behind Utah - I remember when I borrowed money to buy a house. They wanted $10,000 down before they would give me the loan. Then I still had to have mortgage insurance. I feel sorry for her and her family. But a clue to any1 should be if they want money orders.
GL to the family though.

death2fox, @death2fox - A home mortgage and a mere cash loan are two whole separate critters. I was asked how much i could pay down on my home but the bottom line was since i had a good credit score and no credit card i hold in debt i was scene as not a liability. I hate being in debt so i put down a huge down payment on my house so the mortgage is paid in like 5-10 years.

One person stated above "stupid people are having kids aka monsters" this also concerns me. i would not be surprised one bit if they tried to use their monsters as the excuse why no we are not going to pay you because we supposively can not. If hubby's hours got cut then wifey get a job others do it its called living within your means or slash your budget. For one i am glad to see them lose their house they are the exact reckless spenders your Honorable Congress spoke of when Congress changed bankruptcy law in 05' which took affect in January 06'. i love that piece of legislation Congress passed it brings justice to some.

They are not takeing there house @I Want The Truth behind Utah - Because they are renting.. I guess you missed that.. But I have to wonder if they where in such dire financial striates why did they not move in with her parents before and then pay there obligations instead of taking on more debt that they new they could not pay back.. Makes no sense.
Well good luck to them and I hope they get some budgeting help for their future.

And I was going to ask @Codger - is it 5 years or is it 10 there is a big difference. I would think you would know how much you owed and what the terms of your mortgage where.

Codger, @Codger - i do know what the mortgage is. it is a ten year mortgage. fixed rate but since i usually pay more than the minimum each month it be paid in more like five of six years.

Move in with their parents?? @Codger - Well If you like us your PARENTS won't let you. Maybe they wanted to be able to stand on their own feet. In our house we were fine financially until My husbands job cut employees. I don't have control over that?? Going from 40,00 a year to 19,000 would knock anyone off their feet. We HAVE to rent we don't have a choice. We barely make ends meet. Some months we don't. This is the world we live in. Stop spending money on things you don't need. Like boats and cars and going out to eat. You don't HAVE to have those things to survive. People are living a lifestyle that they can't afford. some of us are just living.

death2fox just so you know, @death2fox - i have no doubt these people shirked their duty and took responsibility for their bills they let them go hoping oh no you can't do anything i have monsters in my house. I know the shirked their duty cause ive maxed a few cards i have, called the store vendors and says hey dudes here is what is going on can you work with me. Not only did store vendors gladly and happily work with me they did not tack on interest for the time i needed. A vendor would rather have a customer who realizes they owe the debt than some leach trying to use what ever other excuse there is to get out of a debt which in many cases in Utah is you can't do that to me i have rant monsters. My credit was never affected cause i said hey dudes here is what is going on so why these people did not do the same is just stupid.

to who ever disagrees with me, @I Want The Truth behind Utah - If you do what i did you will never in your life time require a loan asap now will you especially a loan in the time of need which is when you are the most vulnerable. You will also never in your life time have get scammed like this now will you??? It is very subjective and smart thinking. More people should try it some time if you find yourself in the situation.

it's true @I Want The Truth behind Utah - My sister and bro-in-law bought a condo and then he had some major medical stuff happen, so he couldn't work for a few months. She tried to keep up with her bills and payments, but it was too hard. So she called up who she owed the money too, told them the situation, and they were very nice.

Now her husband's working again and they're paying off things with little trouble.

A down payment on a house... @death2fox - Is not even close to the same as paying money up front for a cash loan. The down payment goes towards your house. That is equity which you own. Giving a down payment to get cash would not earn you anything. Only lower the net ammount of the transaction.

Geez, are they running for office? Did they go through the education system in Utah? Miss class the day that they went over simple interest in math? And, what's with the babe in arms thing? Did she learn that from political campaigns? Managed to make it to acting class every day in high school? Or is this a sympathy ploy?

Come on KSL! Quit taking advantage of unfortunate younger people with lesser educations that want their 15 minutes of fame. The news and just the news PLEASE!

--- Mistakes teach us valuable lessons --- Many could see the "getting in debt" luxury getting way out of hand within the last two years. People lack learning true financial responsibility. How much do people spend on their financial knowledge? How much do they spend on motor toys, cars, big trucks and then want out? Lenders are smart! They are on the positive cash flow side, who doesn't like positive cash flow? Excessive debt borrowers often delay the time of their own personal responsibility until one big event such as bankrupcy, foreclosure, abandonment, run away etc... What they think is "theirs" is a lienholders asset.

It's a tough situation. There are two ways to react 1. Blame others and feel like a helpless victum. OR
2. Learn from the mistake and let that learned piece of wisdom be your jewel for life.

Good outcomes arise from mistakes that often motivates us to change our old lifestyles for our good. *Lesson=Buy within your financial ability, not borrow within your financial ability.* There are good books and audio CDs on the subject, not the get rich quick stuff. Good solid financial education.

My biggest mistake... @ExtremeDeals*St.George - was my ex-wife. Boy does my reflection look nice in that big jewel.

Steve, are you serious? OK, so it goes without saying that this young family made a poor, unimformed choice out of desparation. But for you, Steve, to pile on with your venom and vitriol is a truly classless act. The "babe in arms thing" probably has something to do with the fact that she is a mother, Steve. Did you miss the day in class that they covered familial relations?

I didn't see anywhere in the report where any kind of handout was being requested. This young lady recognized she made a bad choice, was willing to endure the embarassment of going to the media, and had the brass to speak up about the matter in an effort to help others who may be as desparate as they are avoid the same disaster.

They aren't looking for fame and as far as the reporting goes, a company preying on the downtrodden IS news. You are certainly entiled to your opinion, Steve. But in this instance, your opinion is a blight on your character. Get off of your pedestal and grow a soul.

Best advice anyone can give, @thrills50 - Go straight to the vendor they will work with you. This lady said they had collection after them which means she shirked her responsibility.

I sort of over spent on a few in house retail vendor cards (i like nice clothes) Nordstrom to name one, thought i did the math so i had them paid off well that isn't how things worked out so as i have said go straight to the vendor they will work with you even not ding you with added interested and charges if you walk in and say alright dudes here is where i am here is what i can do can you work with me. That is "responsibility" Sir not letting bills make it as far as collection like these people did.

Wow. @I Want The Truth behind Utah - Your writing style is really hard to follow. Use punctuation and the shift key (they are the bigger ones).

TIPS:
NEVER enter your social security number, credit card, bank account details or any other personal information on websites that contact you via email, on the telephone, by fax, or via the Internet unless you are familiar with the company and know why the information is necessary.

The links contained in emails can be faked so it is not obvious that you are being sent to a different website from the real company.

Often, the websites are set up to look exactly like the real website, to maintain the scam. Legitimate companies will simply tell you call or go to their website, without providing a link. You can only be sure that you are going to the real website by typing the correct url (website address) into your browser directly, rather than clicking on a link.

Legitimate offers of credit do not require an up-front payment. Don’t pay for the promise of a loan.

It’s illegal for companies doing business by phone in the U.S. to promise you a loan and ask you to pay for it before they deliver. Requiring advance fees for loans also is illegal in Canada. Although legitimate lenders may charge application, appraisal, or credit report fees, the fees generally are taken from the amount borrowed. And the fees usually are paid to the lender or broker after the loan is approved. Legitimate lenders may guarantee firm offers of credit to “credit-worthy” consumers, but first, they evaluate the consumer’s creditworthiness and confirm the information in the application. Canadian law enforcers caution that it is highly unlikely that legitimate Canadian lenders would take a risk on U.S. citizens whose credit problems preclude them from getting a loan in the U.S. Ignore any ad, or hang up on any caller, that guarantees a loan in exchange for a fee in advance.

Western Union or MoneyGram: Often, advance-fee loan scammers direct applicants to send the fees via Western Union money transfers payable to an individual, rather than a business. They ask applicants to use a “password code” with their Western Union payment, which allows the scammers to hide their identity.

The loans also are promoted through direct mail, radio, and cable TV spots. Many advance-fee loans are advertised in the classified sections of newspapers and magazines. Often, the ads use toll-free 800, 866, or 877 phone numbers, or area codes from Canada, such as 416, 647, 905, or 705. The fact that an ad is in a recognized media outlet, like the local newspaper or on radio or tv, doesn’t mean that the company placing the ad is legitimate or trustworthy.

No guarantees that you will be approved! - Remember that legitimate lenders never guarantee or say that you will receive a loan before you apply, or before they have checked out your credit status or contacted your references, especially if you have bad credit or no credit record.
Never send a payment to an individual for a loan; no legitimate lending organization would make such a request. It should only be to an organization by company name!

Don’t wire money or send money orders for a loan through Western Union, Money Gram or similar companies. Once it is collected on the other end, it is GONE! You have little recourse if there’s a problem with a wire transaction. Legitimate lenders don’t pressure you to wire funds.

Independently verify the company - If you are not absolutely sure who you are dealing with, get the company’s number in the phone book or from directory assistance, and call it to make sure you’re dealing with the company you think you are. Check with the Better Business Bureau ( www.bbb.org ) to see the company's record. Some scam artists have even pretended to be the Better Business Bureau or another legitimate organization.

I been in fraud investigation for years!

Ute_Warrior, @Ute_ Warrior - It all makes sense to me also maybe people should learn how "whois" works and run a whois on the site before going there. Allot of those bum sites have legthy extensions usually CGI extensions. So lets say i am going to Ute_Warrior.IWantTheTruth.com dudes that is a redirect right there. It is easy as day to detect.

they have been saying for YEARS.... the first clue was CANADA...they have been saying for years and years....never send money out of the country.

Play stupid games Play stupid games win stupid prizes..

dummy

lol blame president bush its his fault for everything . lol lol vote obama.

Its people like this..... That put our economy where it is at today.... People try and get into houses they cant afford

Da @Batman Fan - They where renting.. read the story

OK @Codger - They were RENTING a house they could not afford.

Threes a sucker born every scent We need to find this so called good lone co. and beet them
over the head with a ugly stick .
and ten years with Bubba .

Onboard the scamming wood end.

@John W. - I thought the woman in the story was stupid...I hope your spelling was poor on purpose to prove a point...lol

for anyone wanting to know more about the site http://barristergroupllc.com/Barristergroup_home.html
that's there site.

http://barristergroupllc.com/CONTACTUS.htm
Contact.

I guess i MUST BE STINGY becasue i dont even want to give my money up WHEN I AM GIVING A PRODUCT IMMEDIATELY, muchless when i dont even have anything. when i go to Wendover with my wife i SEE RED from watching her put the money down the suck hole, slot machines and i could never be a gambler i love money too much to watch it be thrown away and the same with scams. i am old and i have had young dudes try to run that change scam on me, but I STARE AT THEM and watch them so closely they get so nervous and just leave, normally forgetting to take some of their money back they have tried to confuse me with. i love when people try to scam me, it is like a game and most of them are idiots and dont even know how to play it very well, and before i spend money on the internet, i check the place out 50 different ways to see what kind of record they have i do not TRUST ANYBODY ON THE INTERNET, ESP WHEN IT COMES TO MY MONEY

Claim to be businesses in Utah There are so many businesses who claim to be businesses in Utah. There are so many businesses who operate in Utah under different names than the registered names. They operate under near names and this leave no trail of liability.
What is interesting that city's allow them to do this.
They give them business licenses under the near names without even researching if the name that they are using is registered with the state of Utah.
they renew licenses without checking the state registration.
What is extremely interesting is that these cities use these business to render services to the city and pay these unregistered businesses with tax payers money claiming it to be city expenses.
It takes a few seconds to do a computer search with the Utah Business state Registration. It is under the Utah department of Commerce. Do an entity search on the business. It will state if they are a registered business or if their registration has expired and it will list who is the acting agent of corporations. (where to serve legal documents)
Cities could and should do this. People who run under DBA's also have a registration with the state.

We should hold our Cities accountable to insure that everyone that they give or renew business license to are registered with the state. It is state law and the cities should be held accountable to uphold the law.
The cities should be regulated and sited for their refusal to conform to the laws.
This would insure the consumer that they are dealing with a viable business.
It would help victims such as these to be able to retrace and to take action with companies who claim to be Utah companies.

Horrible! This is horrible! My sister did something just like this about 5 years ago! She was about to lose her house and needed a 10,000 dollar loan and they asked her for i believe it was 700 dollars or something like that. She western unioned it to Canada to a lady. They told her it would arrive fedex 5-7 days! It was horrible to watch my sister wait and wait and wait for that money that was going to help her out!! It never showed up and when she tried calling their number it was disconnected! We found out later that the lady wasn't who she said she was and that they steal peoples ID's and use that as their identification!! There was no catching these crooks!!! .... So what our entire family learned from that was, If it is too good to be true, it probably is!!! .... I wish there were some way we could catch these crooks!

Our Country's economy has been going down the crapper for quite some time now...even though we've been told repeatedly that everything is just ducky. Jobs have been outsourced to other countries for years. Even the Federal Government, for which I work, has been outsourcing jobs to private contractors for the last 10 years, at least. All you have to do is look around and you can see where things aren't as great as the Government would like us to think...even here in Utah. At one time Utah had the highest bankruptcy rate in the nation. I know this because of the work I do for the Government. Now the foreclosure rate is rising to the top. I feel bad for families that are struggling to get by right now. I've been there before myself. I've had my hours cut...I got another job to make up those hours. I've lost jobs...found another job. I've flipped hamburgers, scrubbed toilets, babysat...you name it, I've done it...all to be able to pay the bills and put food on the table. I wouldn't want to do any of those jobs for the rest of my life...not much future in them...but they got me by when I was in a bind. What I don't understand is why anyone would think they have to put up money in order to secure a cash loan. Collateral, yes, money, no. I hope this family can get themselves out of the hole they're in right now, as well as many other families. But, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be careful, people. Unfortunately, there are many out there who will take advantage of someone's bad financial situation.

My thoughts It is sad that some people are being taken advantage of; The question is:
Did they learn a lesson
Are they wiser now.
Will they put themselves in this situation again.
How they answer those questions will determine if they're really ignorant or not. Inexperience and lack of judgement will help you make stupid decisions, it happens to most everyone.
Is how you addapt and learn based on your experiences that will determine how succesful you'll be in life.

If it sounds to good to be true then it is. I do feel for this young family, but you hear about different types of Scams all the time. And I think that the way the world is today and the problems with people out of work. But we do have to take some responsibility for our own actions. Before any transactions involving any amount of money do some research. Go on line, call the Better Business Bureau, etc If you need to take out a loan talk to a credit union. You would stand a better chance of getting a loan from a local credit union than a bank. I would not trust a on line lending company ever. I am sure that there may be good ones out there but you really have to be so careful. I wish this family luck and hope they can get back on their feet. And want to thank them for coming forward and going public with this story.

@Polarprincess - I agree with alot of what you have said... Yet I believe this couple could not have met the requirements for a loan from a credit union, hence why they seeked a company they knew nothing about and that looked good and promissed a quick fix, with no credit check im sure.
Passing blame is the name of the game and everyone is doing it right now, let me ask you this.. Had they gotton the 10k, how would that have managed to pay that back? Borrow again is the likely answer and so on an so on. Thus never fixing their true debt issue, only avoiding them. Its the american way for a lot. Its also got alot to do with the troubling times many are facing right now.

Fedup Utah has the highest bankruptcy rate because there are people using the bankruptcy courts fraudulently.
There are people who really need the bankruptcy court and that have circumstances beyond their control. However there are people who file bankruptcy in trying to conceal assets in divorce and to hid businesses.
Just seen a case. where they guy takes out bankruptcy because he is supposed to be in court the next month because of contempt charge. His attorney said that he couldn't come to the contempt hearing because he had too much work. His attorney promised the judge that he would have his client in court that next month.
His client went and filed for bankruptcy. His friend went and filed a registration for a near name business the day after the guy filed for bankruptcy.
This is the dumb part. The name that the friend registered was the old name with the bankrupt guys name in front of it.
You would have thought that the bankruptcy court would have picked up on that one.
Not so. The bankruptcy court also receives pay checks and as long as they can say that this guy has arranged to pay his creditors.... some year later at a deflated amount.... they are just great with it all.
This guy didn't finish the paperwork for the first bankruptcy and just lets if fall off the books using the automatic stays as protection.
Then he files another bankruptcy, this one is thrown out of court because the judge gets mad with the guy trying to say yet another friend who claims to be the owner of the business and has registered this business under yet another near name, starts to argue in front of the judge about what the bankrupt guy is going to paid for a salary... seeing that they are trying to convince the court that he is only an employee..
Creditors, put this guy into an involuntary bankruptcy hoping to put an end to all of the expensive court litigation (paid with our tax dollar)
The guy converts the involuntary bankruptcy to a chapter 13, adding more time, the creditors are lost because of their having to file multiple claims and to carry this thing out for three years....
So now the claimed bankrupt guy has lost most of his creditors and they have written off their debt to the consumer. The guy has his bankruptcy confirmed.
Even when at the trial a woman appears who the bankrupt guy has claimed stole and was paid a huge sum of money (that would have covered all of the bankrupt debt) and she tells the court that she has not stolen any money and she has not been paid any money and the guy filed a fraudulent 1099 against her. She was an elderly lady.
Two years after the bankruptcy confirmation the guy gets a huge IRS judgment for 19000.00 for the same year that he is being supervised by the bankruptcy court to pay his creditors with extended payments..

What is interesting about this one. Is that the bankrupt guys attorney tells the civil courts and the federal bankruptcy court that his client was not represented during his first bankruptcy filing.

Only this attorney signs under penalty of law in his clients second bankruptcy schedules that he received money for bankruptcy consultation and for a divorce retainer, the month before his client filed for the first bankruptcy. In fact it was for the same month that he promised the judge that his client would appear the next month for the contempt charge.
So the question is. Did the attorney advise his client to take out bankruptcy, he definitely knew that his client was being consulted about bankruptcy either before or after he had promised the judge that his client would be in court.
Was bankruptcy suggested as a remedy of the contempt charge? To take the case away from the civil courts and allow the guy to dissipate and hide all of the assets. To hide under the bankruptcy stays?
Allow him to make multiple bankruptcy filings that were simply dropped because paperwork wasn't filed?
Then allowed to file again using the stays?
The economy is horrible but I do believe that Bankruptcy laws need to change even more to tighten down on those people who misuse the bankruptcy system.
Why hasn't the guy been caught for Bankruptcy fraud?
The Bankruptcy court is not a prosecuting court. In order to be charged with bankruptcy fraud the Trustee's or someone has to report the so called fraud to the appropriate prosecuting courts. It must go through the postal attorney general.... now who would figure that one out? Obviously the Trustee who did this case did not feel the need to do this.
He got his pay check just the same.

a little over simplified @goodintentions - One thing that you are quick to overlook are some of the reasons many Utah business go out of business. If you look up the statistics for it, you will find that Utah is also the most entrepreneurial state in the country. Many Utahns start businesses, but many of them fail, and as a result people go bankrupt.

If they wanted to cut down on bankruptcies, yes some reform is needed, but people need to also learn how to run a business, or get a consultation from a professional to learn whether a certain type of business is profitable (there are far too many industries in Utah that are saturated, especially in the handiman areas. It's nearly impossible to get into the business and still make a decent salary.) Just because you have a good product/service, doesn't mean you know how to execute it well. Just my 2 cents.

French Canadians no doubt are the ones doing it. .

Canadians, are you kidding me? Canadians are the dumbest people on the planet, what does that say about La Verkin?

La Verkin??? @B B. - Utah is the scam capital of the world!!

Gee,I wonder why? @Think b4 you speak - I wonder if the high population of people getting married,and cranking out 5 kids before theyre 21,and sinking themselves into a $600,000 mega-house for their first home has anything to do with it? And could the fact the mentality of "making a quick buck" has anything to do with it?

Wonder Why ? @Fed Up With ILLEGALS!!!! - Because people in Utah are generally NAIVE beyond belief. For the most part they belong to a religion that teaches them NOT to think but simply OBEY.Thinking is very much discouraged. People in Utah think a guy like George W Bush is a great leader. Anyone who still thinks that has a huge sign on their head that says "SCAM ME, I"M A DOPE"

You aren't exaggerating, are you? @Fed Up With ILLEGALS!!!! - That would be counter-productive to a conversation.
You wouldn't just be typing in this forum to waste time at work, would you?

"Canadians are the dumbest people on the planet," @B B. - Have you ever watched Jay-Walking? I would stack a Canadian's intelligence against an average Burbank street-walker ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!

Ditto that for any average citizen of any "Blue State" (you know--the ones who aren't bright enough to register to vote until Acorn comes knocking).

lesson well taught and moving with the parents should have been done long ago, and you too reading these lines ...: consolidate your families income and move with the parents or any member of your family. Kids will love it, grand parents will love it. swallow your pride, the whole country does it. Except the proud capitalist that wants to feel like its own man! Its a trend! ayhoo!

SHe's hot OH yes

Huh? How did THIS make the "top story" again,,?? Wasnt this news like,,2 days ago??

Know your rights and options if you are behind in payments. This is a young couple with at least one small child struggling to survive.

I don't think we need to criticize them, and I am sure they won't be doing this again.

Every one of us has been taken advantage of in some way.

When collectors start calling and threatening, it is easy to see how you would want to make it stop.

Bill collectors have laws and "supposed codes of conduct".

It is your right to inform them to no longer contact you via phone and or mail. If they continue, get the caller's name and keep track of the contacts in case you have a legitimate harrassment case.

If the debt continues, Utah does allow wage garnishment if they get a judgement against you in court.

However, the court will look at state law to determine how much they can take.
They have to leave you enough to live.


Texas, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and North Carolina are the only US states that do not allow wage garnishment for creditor debt.


Sometimes creditors have hardship programs with reduced interest, penalties you can sign up for although they give your credit rating a nice hit.

This is similar to those debt consolidation companies whic by the way are not always the best choice but ...sometimes they are.

If you are in the possible garnish position and can not repay them, seek a meeting with a bankruptcy attourney. Many of them give a free consultation and can advise you if bankruptcy is the right choice.

As crappy as bankruptcy is, sometimes it is a better option than remaining in debt unable to pay.

Good luck everyone.

The internet can bring rip off artists, but it can also inform you about the people you do business with.

Proof that trickle-up economics works. And this my friends is proof that trickle-up economics works. If you give poor people money, the rich will find a way to get it back from them. I imagine that after Obama gets elected and enacts his tax cuts for the poor and hikes for the rich that we will see even more of these types of scams to return the wealth back to the rich.

For the most part, the poor will always be poor, and the rich will always get richer. It isn't a matter of how much you make but the difference of what you make and what you spend.

hmm @Tim E. - Thats because the poor are STUPID. The rich get rich because they are smart. Dumb people deserve to be poor.

Tim @Tim E. - Seems that McCain has duped you into thinking you make 250K a year. I get a kick out of trailer park Repulicans thinking McCain will actually help them .

Huh? @Ned McHaggis - Perhaps you need to actually read what I wrote, not just view a few keywords and automatically assume that I support McCain. I expressed no concerns or complaints with Obama's tax plan, only commented that it wouldn't matter as the rich would find the means to get their money back.

My point was to emphasize that poor people will always be poor because they make uneducated and naive monetary decisions. They could be making 100K+ and still be poor because they don't know how to manage money and end up giving it to the rich.

My definition of poor is not based on a yearly income but on personal balance sheets.

So the rich FIND @Tim E. - ways to get money from poor people? Your kidding right? And what makes you think that these scammers are quote RICH people? Are you saying that poor people don't scam people? Most people I know that are successful work very hard and EARN their way.
This scam has nothing to do with being rich or poor.

For the most part, the CHOICES we make is what makes the difference.

Clarification @Carolyn A. - I never said that all rich people are involved in scams, only that they will find a way to get their money back. This may be through increased retail revenues or many other legal means. However there will certainly be some who use less ethical ways to relieve those with little monetary sense of their excess capital and then some.

You will find that a poor person is generally on the giving end and a rich person is on the receiving end of most scams. Of course poor and rich aren't defined by annual income but by personal fiscal responsibility and monetary sense.

Until poor people learn that there is no substitute for hard work, that "get rich quick" never works, and that living beyond your means always catches up, they will continue to be poor regardless their income.

wow Another Utah family living beyond their means. Go figure. I guess you shouldn't finance everything you own and run up credit card debt. I have very little sympathy. I lost my job with no notice and I never missed a bill or payment. Do you know why? Because I had money in savings and I lived within my means. I was even able to start my own business afterwords without 1 penny in business loans. Good luck living with your parents.

Patrick @Patrick H. - Living within your means is wise. Saving is also wise.

Good for you you have been smart with your money, and have not suffered sudden misfortune.

I think you are just trolling.

The fact is when your savings are depleted by an accident, by unforseen circumstances, by something you did not see coming...sickness, disease, death, natural disaster, I would find empathy and help you if I could...

And you know what, I would do it without judgement.

Leave judging to a higher power and may you find humility one day when the events of your life fall beyond your "wise" control.

how does... being in debt with no money to pay exsisting debt, become fixed by taking on new debt?
The only way to fix your debt is to stop adding to it.

Nice @Susan S. - Finally somebody with some common sense

watch out for anything from england or canada thats what i was told when someone tried a scam on me. they said they wanted to buy my truck and sent a check for over 10,000 more than what i was asking then wanted me to send the rest back by money order. i checked the local police and that was what i was told.

@bdh - Cash it under a false ID. Hundreds do it every day.

NO on #1 Tracy Aviary Director, Tim Brown is an animal abuser!!!!

VOTE NO ON PROP #1 - VOTE NO ON PROP #1

Tracy Aviary Director, Tim Brown is an animal abuser!!!!

VOTE NO ON PROP #1 - VOTE NO ON PROP #1

Tracy Aviary Director, Tim Brown is an animal abuser!!!!

VOTE NO ON PROP #1 - VOTE NO ON PROP #1

Tracy Aviary Director, Tim Brown is an animal abuser!!!!

VOTE NO ON PROP #1 - VOTE NO ON PROP #1

seriously when i get home tonight i'm going to call this company and see if i can get a loan under a false name..... see if i can scam them. I love messing with the lottery emails i get everyday....
check out this website:
www.thescambaiter.com

absolutely hilarious

They can find the people They can trace the 1-800 # and find the address to Canada and lock these people up.

@Shelley D. - I have read on this lately, and a lot of the time they will change the number every few weeks, or use a prepaid untraceable number. They use the address of different businesses or far away homes. These scam artists are smart and know what they are doing. They know they have to stay ahead of the law. They are also good at persuasion. Watch out for this kind of thing!

This lady is a fool for falling for this. She deserves what happened to her if you see s fool you play a fool. If she and her family really needs money her husband needs to get a better job or even another job also she needs to also get a job and make a few dollars . I am also willing to bet that she is milking the welfare system . It is people like this is the reason why our economy is were it is at she needs to stop using her credit card and live on what she can afford. I guess part of my pay check will be going to bail out this bimbo.

Common sense Bottom line: Trust no one. People are getting more desperate and crime is going to be going way up. When it comes to your money you can't be too careful, because more and more people are going to try and seperate you from it. I don't even get major work done on my vehicles without a 2nd opinion. Do your research on any business you plan on doing buiness with over the phone or internet.

Remember: If it seems too good to be true then it probably is.

Common sense Bottom line: Trust no one. People are getting more desperate and crime is going to be going way up. When it comes to your money you can't be too careful, because more and more people are going to try and seperate you from it. I don't even get major work done on my vehicles without a 2nd opinion. Do your research on any business you plan on doing buiness with over the phone or internet.

Remember: If it seems too good to be true then it probably is.

Beware! I think that those of you putting down this family are awful. So it was probably not the smartest thing to do, like we don't all do stupid things. There are so many scams out there! But when you are desperate to take care of your family and are trying to make things better, of course there is a want to believe that it will work. It's not like some company just said give me some money. These people are scam artists and are good at what they do! They convinced her they were legit, and she is just trying to warn everyone else! I have a lot of sympathy for this family.

Why not put this lady and her family down. She and her husband is both stupid. If they were smart in the first place they would have not gotten themselves in debt . Also If they were smart they would have went to a real bank to get a loan. My guess that these people have so much debt and bad credit that a real bank will not loan them money. In the long run what is the point of loaning these people money they are going to file for bankruptcy any way and I am going to be the one paying for it. If anyone thinks otherwise they are a fool.

Wow these folks are naive and unlucky. I'm glad I just won the nigerian lottery. As soon as they recieve my $2,000.00 for documents fees they are sending me my $50 million.