BooksandAuthors.net

Denise Richardson

Denise Richardson is a freelance writer, Author and board member of American Consumer Credit Education Support Services, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating consumers, and responsible businesses, on issues such as privacy rights, credit reporting, and financial fraud. She is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates, and Author who turned her life experiences into her first book humanizing and exposing the damaging effects of identity theft, inaccurate credit reporting, mortgage servicing fraud and abusive debt collectors. She strives to educate the public on the need to be proactive when it comes to protecting their rights, their identities, and their personal and financial data from thieves

Visit Denise online at http://www.givemebackmycredit.com

"Denise Richardson's story has important lessons for all Americans. It's the story of a consumer who faced hardships created by credit bureau errors, mortgage servicing errors, abusive debt collectors and identity thieves. She learned, fought back and won. Now she's a consumer champion with a book that's a first-person story and a consumer handbook in one, with lessons for everyone who wants to win against corporate and financial predators. Buy it and then fight back yourself!" Ed Mierzwinski, Consumer Program Director U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG)

"Give Me Back My Credit is a book that every American consumer must read. Denise exposes the truth about how our nation's credit system really works and how our consumer protection rights have slowly, but intentionally been wiped away by corporate greed and government acceptance. In a clear and simple voice, Denise teaches everyone how they can try to protect their rights and how we must collectively fight back to get back our rights and our credit!" Ira Rheingold, Executive Director and General Counsel National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA)

"Denise Richardson is a living answer to the question of what can happen to an American when the systems that keep track of who owes what to whom completely break down. Like most of the countless consumers harmed each year by errors that corporations can't or won't fix, Denise suffered enormous personal and financial harm when computer systems began to misreport her data. Unlike most other people, however, Denise set out to understand exactly how and why such mistakes occur, and then took on the system. Her story of personal courage and resilience is not only inspiring, but the hard-learned lessons she clearly articulates in this book can help many other consumers protect themselves from widespread mistakes that are all too often afflicted by America's credit reporting system." F. Paul Bland, Jr., Staff Attorney Trial Lawyers for Public Justice (TLPJ)

Books-and-Authors.net: Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and why?

Denise Richardson: I was born and raised in New England and most of those years were spent in Brattleboro -a beautiful small town in Southern Vermont where I was lucky enough to grow up in a typical Italian family where Sunday's were spent at my grandparents home devouring vast amounts of homemade pasta and listening to countless sermons from my grandmother (Nonie). She taught me through her actions and strong convictions, to believe in the power of faith and know that "everything happens for a reason -you just need to have faith that you will figure out the reason. She often said the best rewards in life are realized when we give of ourselves to others - without expectations for anything in return. A concept that greatly rules my life today and one that makes me recognize the scale of her powerful influence.

I did write while young... I religiously wrote in my diary to empty out thoughts in my head that would often consume me -until I could spill them out on paper -a pattern that that still holds true today!

My most precious memory of reading while young… My sister and I would grab a book, blanket and plastic pails and head off through the woods to Riley's Dam, picking blueberries by the pail full, all along the way. Once we found a spot we liked, we would lie out a blanket and relax under a tree by the water and read our books while gorging on handfuls of blueberries.

Books-and-Authors.net: Why did you write "GIVE ME BACK MY CREDIT "?

Denise Richardson: Give Me Back My Credit was born out frustration, passion and an overwhelming sense of necessity to use my story to encourage others to become proactive when protecting their credit and their identities. I looked at my life experiences and realized that if my belief of that old adage "everything happens for a reason" was true, then the reason for the last 15 years was staring me right in the face. I needed to share my experiences and lessons learned throughout my saga, if I wanted to shed light on the problems and work towards much needed change in the industry. It was definitely an "aha moment".

Books-and-Authors.net: You were a victim of 'Identity theft' -- Someone used your credit card to purchase a $9K airline ticket.... How did this happen? And do you find yourself continually on guard against this type of fraud?

Denise Richardson: Just like so many id theft victims -most often we never definitively know how our information is stolen. Once upon a time, we only had to worry about keeping our wallets safeguarded and in our physical possession. Now days, our information is easily distributed, stolen and unaccounted for in countless databases that are often the target of thieves.

My identity is valuable to me and so is my time. I know that I have to be proactive if I want to ensure my identity remains just that...my identity. After writing my book I was notified once again that someone attempted to access my available credit from a telephone call initiated out of Canada. That's the day I determined that I simply didn't want to go it alone anymore, I set out to find and hire a service that would actually take on the responsibility of guarding my life, and more importantly to me, take on the task of cleaning up the mess -if it happened again. The truth is – it is difficult to imagine the amount of time and both physical and mental energy it takes to deal with the effects of having your identity stolen…until it happens to you! I chose to pay a company called LifeLock to do it for me–to see why read my blog How Much value to you place on your free time?

http://www.givemebackmycredit.com/blog/2007/01/how_much_value_do_you_place_on.html

Books-and-Authors.net: With 'GIVE ME BACK MY CREDIT' -- You have become a passionate activist and an entrepreneur. When you were younger did you see any of this as your life path? How does it feel helping others?

Denise Richardson: I can't say that Advocate was on my career list when I was a child. Originally I planned on becoming a Doctor, until that is, I pricked my finger sewing and passed out at the sight of blood. I immediately knew that plan wasn't going to work. I've always been drawn to people and driven to finding a way to make a difference. I just always struggled with how to accomplish that strong desire and exactly what it was I was suppose to be doing -I just couldn't come up with an answer. In school, I was always the kid that would go out of my way to be kind to the kids that were bullied or made to feel as outcasts. I never understood why -and neither did a lot of my friends, but it was definitely a part of me as far back as I can remember. I know that saying I love to help others sounds like a cliché and even viewed as corny -but that's what was instilled in me at a very young age and though I still wish for more direction -I've grown comfortable with it.

Books-and-Authors.net: In 'GIVE ME BACK MY CREDIT' - You write 'Find your identity!' Explain.

Denise Richardson: I believe who we are today is dictated by a culmination of our life experiences and sometimes we just need to spend some time analyzing ourselves and circumstances to figure it out. That's the Virgo in me! When you find that answer -you find your inspiration and your future path. Your identity is your character, your individuality and uniqueness. Once you figure out who you are and then accept it -you will inevitably find your path and with it -your "aha moment".

Books-and-Authors.net: Why should someone buy a copy of "GIVE ME BACK MY CREDIT"? What makes your book stand out from others in the genre? 'GIVE ME BACK MY CREDIT' is an audio book as well -- Is the book and CD set the same or do they work together? Explain?

Denise Richardson: Because unlike most books written by schooled-consumer professionals, I have actually been in the trenches and fought my way out. I learned what I know by attending the University of Hard Knocks where I obtained a graduate degree in "But You Can't Do That To Me."

My book is not a thesis. It is a step-by-step recounting of my own personal ride through Crazyland, where credit card companies, and their lawyers, are always right and it's up to you to prove them wrong -and I did. The ride was a not merry one, but it was definitely a trip filled with life altering lessons that I provide at the end of each chapter. The audio book is pretty much the same -slightly altered and updated as it was released a few months after my book.

Books-and-Authors.net: In "GIVE ME BACK MY CREDIT" you write that 'consumer protection laws are eroding' and the laws we have are filled with loopholes- Please explain.

Denise Richardson: Often time's legislation is written with extremely ambiguous language that can be easily misinterpreted and twisted as easily as a wire hanger by those who wish to escape liability for their wrongs -regardless of the intent or spirit of the law. Some proposed legislation is often just a fox dressed in sheep's clothing and though the name of the proposed legislations may sound favorable to us at the outset, once scrutinized, it's often found to be simply a ruse, designed to slip by the American public's eyes, disguised as a consumer protection measure.

Hypothetically speaking, if our legislative representatives were to hire a contractor to do repair work on their homes, and the contractor drafted a binding contract (especially one that required Arbitration if they had a dispute) -a legal document that spelled out the parties responsibilities, do you think that they would review and analyze every word prior to signing it (rightfully so)? I would bet that the contract would not only be concise, but loophole free.

We deserve no less. Shouldn't our consumer protection laws looked at using that same magnifying glass? Loopholes can be seen in advance and can be closed and complex and ambiguous wording can be clarified -if that's what the intent is. For more on this you can see my blog at

http://www.givemebackmycredit.com/blog/2006/10/do_americans_have_the_best_law.html

I do believe our consumer protection laws are eroding as well -and that belief is with good reason. Special interest groups aggressively lobby for legislation that would nullify stronger state laws, and ultimately diminish our ability to find accountability. They continue to find ways to lock innocent consumers out of the courtrooms through the use of widespread "You can't sue me" clauses that require consumers to agree to settle any dispute that may arise through costly arbitration.

By taking away our access to the courts, and eliminating our stronger state consumer protection laws, corporations effectively remove any fear of being held accountable and having their wrongdoings exposed to the public. It harms our justice system and eliminates the effectiveness of our consumer protection laws. Access to the courts is our most effective means of holding corporate entities accountable. Without that right ...what will deter less than reputable companies from harming us with faulty and substandard products? For more on this see my blog at

http://www.givemebackmycredit.com/blog/2007/07/you_cant_sue_mefour_little_wor.html

Books-and-Authors.net: In "GIVE ME BACK MY CREDIT" you write that 79% of credit reports contain mistakes - That is alarming! From dealing with the Big 3 credit reporting agencies do you think they care about this type of (off the charts) stat? How difficult is it for someone to get mistakes removed?

Denise Richardson: Yes …it is alarming but widely reported as true. Do they care…No! It often takes many attempts and many years to clean up inaccuracies -in my case more than a decade. But as bad as my story is -it's not the worst nightmare I've heard of -I just decided to tell my story! More often than not, it literally takes an Act of Congress to clear up erroneous information in your credit report, whether caused by inaccurate credit reporting or an identity theft. I've often said I feel like I'm an unpaid credit bureau employee, a type of Quality Control Expert who's forced to inspect, monitor and fix their product to ensure it isn't defective and harmful to me! Unfortunately, their product that they profit from is me & you! It's our information and the burden to safeguard it falls on us! Normally, if a company was negligent or their product harmed us we would have the choice to boycott the company -but we don't have that choice when it comes to the credit industry. And ironically, any other industry who sold defective products would be sanctioned and ordered to remove the products from the market until they were fixed -by them! The credit industry is the only industry I am aware of that can get away with such a brilliant maneuver…sell a product that the consumer is responsible for both building and maintaining!

Books-and-Authors.net: What did you learn from writing "GIVE ME BACK MY CREDIT"?

Denise Richardson: I've learned that Nonie was right! Everything has a purpose -we just need to find it. I do believe that my life experiences were meant to be exposed -it was a story that had to be told in order to help others and validate those who have been down similar roads -and there are many! At times finding and holding on to my identity has been an exhausting task, but I know of no other way to be. It's a wrong, a big wrong, and I have to attempt to right it -and in this case "write" it.

Books-and-Authors.net: After reading "GIVE ME BACK MY CREDIT" -- What has been readers' feedback?

Denise Richardson: I love the feedback -Many people write telling me their story. Letters include words of appreciation for showing them the importance of monitoring their credit, and the need to protect themselves -to letters offering thanks for my speaking out and validating what they currently are (or have been) going through. I know first hand that often just reading and hearing "you are not alone" can be both inspiring and cathartic. Many notes relay thanks for explaining in simple language the jargon that frustrates many…my book reads like a diary, with carefully inserted lessons, and people appreciate that.

Books-and-Authors.net: What's next?

Denise Richardson: Continuing with new and exciting projects, many sparked by encouragement from consumers, advocates and readers… various projects include internet radio, joint ventures with other authors, seminars, workshops and more translations.

I would love to work towards arming college students with information that can prevent them from graduating in deep debt simply because they were unaware of the dangers predatory lending, credit -debt and identity theft. I also have a special interest and drive to help families of the military… they sacrifice so much, yet are given so little leeway or help when forced to make ends meet while struggling through emotional and financial hardships.

Books-and-Authors.net: What was the last book you read?

Denise Richardson: 527 Naked Men by Barbara Silkstone The book reaffirmed for me what you can do when you set your mind to it. The author set out to interview 1,000 men about love and commitment. With no training in psychology, she accomplished listening to the emotional download of over 500 men - before she crumbled. It's a fun and enlightening look at human nature and the power of "I Can Do That!"

Books-and-Authors.net: Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing?

Denise Richardson: Downtime is crucial to writing -but not always easy to find. I like to recharge my batteries by walking on the beach, curled up on the couch watching a great movie, listening to music, reading and spending time with family and friends.