Rick Swartz, senior credit analyst and CEO of Kern Valley Financial Services in Bakersfield, has seen a slight surge in clients interested in resolving credit card debt.
“It’s lack of income,” he said. “People are out of work. “But many consumers are still running up their credit, he said. Swartz said stores and credit card companies are enticing consumers by offering deferred payments, which he calls “time bombs. “People have got to be careful, he said. If you’re going to use credit, use the card with the lowest interest, he said. Kern Valley Financial Services offers credit counseling, which includes prioritizing debts with the client and coming up with a solution. The service has a $50 consultation fee.