Social Media Can Spell Trouble Before and During Bankruptcy
Personal financial information can be inadvertently disclosed through social media sources like Facebook. Some debt collectors and creditors may attempt to gain access to your Facebook account through an innocent looking friend request. Once the friend request is accepted, the collector will monitor your Facebook page for information concerning income and assets.
Before you file for Bankruptcy, it is important to list your personal property, interests in real estate, and assets. Failure to disclose these items could result in severe penalties during
the Bankruptcy process, including criminal sanctions and dismissal of the case. Facebook can lead to problems when too much of your personal life is posted on-line. For instance, pictures of your home (including furnishings), yourself wearing jewelry, or photos of Christmas or birthday presents could reveal assets that were not listed in your Bankruptcy schedules, or perhaps were under-valued. Additionally, discussion about jobs or even hobbies may reveal un-reported or under-reported income. Finally, postings about trips or vacation plans may raise eyebrows to those who know about your financial situation.
The best strategy is to avoid discussing financial matters on any social networking site. It is also a good idea to closely screen new friend requests and exclude people that you do not know from your social media accounts. Protect yourself by being cautious about the information you share on-line.
If you are experiencing a debt problem and need help, please contact my office at (713) 893-6204. You can also
email or complete the
FREE Case Evaluation. We offer FREE consultations at
various locations around Houston. As a
Houston Bankruptcy Attorney, I ll review your situation and determine if consumer Bankruptcy is the right option for you. The road to financial freedom starts here.