H&FF Radio covers tax credit, loan scams, financial checkup

WASHINGTON (1/15/10)--Sunday's H&FF Radio program examines the Earned Income Tax Credit, loan modification scams, the state of the mortgage foreclosure market and how your financial "temperature" compares with others.

Home & Family Finance airs Sundays at 3 p.m. ET on the Radio America Network. The show also is carried on American Forces Radio Network. The one-hour program devoted to consumer finance issues is brought to you by America's credit unions and their 90 million members, and is presented by CO-OP Network.

The Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and Radio America are podcasting Home & Family Finance through iTunes, Podcast Alley, Odeo, and other popular podcast library sites, as well as on Radio America and CUNA's websites.

Sunday's show, which you also can hear later via the Internet, features Paul Berry, Washington, D.C., journalist and broadcaster, discussing these topics with special guests:

"Earned Income Tax Credit: The IRS Says, 'We're Gonna Give What You Deserve!'" with Eric L. Smith, national spokesman, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C. Smith explains who are eligible to receive the credit, what they may receive, the potential benefit, and how to apply.

"Loan Modification Scams," with Eileen Fitzgerald, chief operating officer, NeighborWorks America, Washington, D.C. With home foreclosures and unemployment at all-time highs, many consumers are scurrying to modify mortgages to reduce their monthly payments. Fitzgerald discusses how homeowners can spot and avoid the scam artists eager to help troubled borrowers.

"Mortgage Foreclosures: Who's to Blame; Who's Being Hurt; What's Being Done?" with Michael Calhoun, president/chief operating officer, Center for Responsible Lending, Durham, N.C. The Center for Responsible Lending has worked to reform the mortgage business into a fair, responsible and transparent market for sustainable home loans.

"Financially Speaking: Are You OK? Really?" with Pam Krueger, creator, executive producer and co-host, Public Broadcast System's "MoneyTrack" and former stockbroker, Tiburon, Calif. Krueger challenges listeners to take their financial "temperature" to see how they stack up against the rest of America with debt, saving, and investing.

Home & Family Finance is a resource center for personal finance information at CUNA. The radio show is sponsored by CO-OP Network, the national credit union ATM network; Cabot Creamery Cooperative, maker of award-winning cheddar; Western Corporate FCU (WesCorp) and its member credit unions; and the Defense Credit Union Council and member credit unions, serving those who serve our country worldwide.

For more information, read "New Hope and Help for Struggling Homeowners" and view the "Tough Time Series: Refinancing Your Mortgage" and "Getting Tax Records Organized" videos in the Home & Family Finance Resource Center.