Give Me Credit

In Give Me Credit Podcast Episode #22, we do something a little different and a lot important. We analyze a real debt collection call that checks every box for unethical behavior. No hypotheticals. No reenactments. This actually happened. The debt in question dates back to 1995. The collection attempt happened in 2013. That means the statute of limitations was long gone, but the collector tried an...

In Part Two of this two-part conversation, John Mackey and J.S. Whaldo continue their discussion with financial expert Gerry Weston , shifting from warning signs to real solutions. Weston explains why speaking directly with your lender is often the most effective step when facing financial hardship. He outlines the tools many credit unions and community banks already offer, including payment skips...

In Part One of this two-part conversation, John Mackey and J.S. Whaldo sit down with financial expert Gerry Weston to unpack the hidden risks of for-profit debt relief companies. Through a real-world case study, Weston explains how these third-party services often fail to negotiate as promised, triggering legal action, asset garnishment, and long-term credit damage. This episode challenges the fea...

This week’s Give Me Credit episode is our Christmas and Holiday Edition, and it’s a little different by design. We start with a brief introduction to John Mackey’s upcoming Debt Collection course launching in January, including why debt collection is one of the most misunderstood and consequential parts of the credit system, and why education works better than fear. Then the conversation shifts. J...

When love gets financed, and stability gets sacrificed. The holiday season is supposed to be about connection, generosity, and love. Yet for manyfamilies, it has quietly becomesomething else entirely—a financial test, an emotionalperformance, and a source of long-term stress that lingers long after the decorations comedown. Every year, powerful marketing, social pressure, and comparison culture pu...

The holiday shopping rush is here, and that means one thing. Buy Now Pay Later offers are everywhere. They pop up on every checkout screen and promise interest-free convenience. It all feels harmless until it is not. In this week’s podcast, credit expert John Mackey and mortgage underwriter JS Whaldo dig into the real story behind the BNPL boom. This is a timely conversation because delinquency ra...

Today, we are sharing a real debt collection call that John recorded on his business line, and it is a ride. This collector barrels in with confidence, armed with the wrong Social Security number, the wrong address, and a lawsuit threat set in Honolulu… while John is sitting in Minneapolis. From the first minute, you hear classic debt collection red flags, legal misrepresentations, and pressure ta...

This week, John and I tackle the annual holiday pressure cooker. You know the one: twinkly lights, emotional shopping, and retailers who swoop in like sugar-coated vultures offering store cards and Buy Now Pay Later plans that look helpful but pack a financial punch. We break down why these “special” holiday deals are anything but. Store-branded credit cards often come with sky-high APRs that can...

Welcome to Episode 14 of Give Me Credit , the podcast where Credit Genius John Mackey and mortgage-underwriting veteran J.S. Whaldo turn the tangled world of debt collection and credit reporting into something clear, usable, and—believe it or not—empowering. Give Me Credit is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. In t...

In this episode of Give Me Credit, John Mackey and J.S. Whaldo break down how the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)—and its modern update, Regulation F—protects you in the digital age. From the 7-in-7 rule limiting call frequency to new rules for texts, voicemails, and social media, they explain how collectors must now play by the same rules online as they do by phone. You’ll learn what a...

This week, John and I dig into the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the federal law that protects consumers from abusive collection practices. We explain what the FDCPA covers, who it applies to, and how the 2021 update changed the rules for texts and social media. If you’ve ever wondered what collectors can and can’t do—or how to protect yourself when they call—this episode is a must-listen. U...

Student loans don’t automatically block homeownership—but they do play a big role in your debt-to-income ratio. In this episode, JS Whaldo and John Mackey break down how VA, FHA, USDA, and Conventional loans treat student debt differently, especially if your loans are deferred or on an income-driven repayment plan. Learn why accurate documentation and asking the right questions of your loan office...

In this episode, John Mackey and JS Whaldo take a deep dive into the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and why understanding your credit rights matters more than ever. We review core principles we’ve covered in previous episodes and explore what’s coming next: Buy Now, Pay Later reporting, FICO 10T’s trended data, and how these changes could affect your credit scores. Whether you’re tackling debt,...

Did you know outdated info and confusing scores could be dragging down your credit without you even knowing it? In Give Me Credit Ep. 9 – Why the Credit System Fails You and How to Take It Back , JS Whaldo and credit expert John Mackey reveal what’s wrong with the US credit reporting system—and exactly how you can take control. Discover why paid debts should vanish immediately, how inconsistent sc...

In this second and final episode of our two-part series, hosts J.S. Whaldo and John Mackey continue their deep dive into the truth behind credit repair scams flooding social media. This discussion exposes the fraudulent claims that lure consumers with promises of instant fixes, “legal loopholes,” and permanent deletions. The hosts explain how debt is legally treated as a business asset , meaning t...

A large number of people attempt quick-fix credit repair schemes and ultimately suffer real damage. They often have to seek genuine help to resolve both the original problem and any new issues created by the scam. The true cost of falling for such deceit is not just the money lost, but also wasted time, missed opportunities, and potentially serious financial consequences, such as wage garnishment....

Millions of Americans check their credit, but few know the full scope of their rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). In this episode of Give Me Credit , JS Whaldo and John Mackey continue to break down the essentials—from accessing your credit report and disputing errors to understanding hard vs. soft inquiries and even freezing your credit for privacy. They also explain how you can s...

Most people don’t realize just how much power the Fair Credit Reporting Act gives them. In our newest episode of Give Me Credit , John Mackey and I break down your rights under the FCRA—what you’re entitled to, how to protect yourself, and why written disputes can make all the difference. From free annual credit reports to the 30-day rule for investigations, this episode gives you the knowledge yo...

In Episode 4 of Give Me Credit, J.S. Whaldo and John Mackey dive into the credit report red flags that can impact your mortgage approval. We break down how lenders interpret discrepancies, the role of authorized user accounts, and how different debts, such as installment, revolving, and medical collections, influence your credit score. Whether you’re applying for a VA loan, conventional mortgage,...

Think you know what really goes into your credit score? You might be surprised. In this week’s episode of Give Me Credit , I sit down with John Mackey to break down the five key factors that shape your score, clear up some of the biggest myths, and explain how upcoming changes in the FICO and VantageScore models could affect you. It’s a conversation packed with insight, and a reminder of why keepi...

Ever wonder what really happens behind the scenes of a mortgage approval? In this episode of Give Me Credit, John Mackey from Credit Geni.us and retired mortgage underwriter J.S. Whaldo pull back the curtain on the world of mortgage underwriting. Together, they explain how underwriters review borrower qualifications, from credit scores and income documentation to bank statements, W2s, and pay stub...

The "Give Me Credit Podcast" is a collaborative effort between John, a credit expert and author, and JS Whaldo, a 30-year veteran underwriting expert. Their primary mission is to provide clarity and education on the often-confusing world of consumer credit. Goal: To demystify consumer credit, credit scoring, credit reports, debt collection, and their impact on major life decisions like buying a ho...