Live Credit Smart Challenge Puts Families on the Road to Financial Recovery

Riverside, CA – May 11, 2011–A Corona couple is one of five families now on the road to financial recovery after winning Experian’s Live Credit Smart Challenge.  Experian®, the leading global information services company, launched the Challenge to help empower Americans facing financial setbacks to make a positive change toward understanding credit and using it wisely.  Tiffany and Anthony Pedroza of Corona were selected as one of the five winning couples from numerous entries received from individuals and families all across the country.

Each winner received $5,000 to help pay off debts, credit information from Experian and a session with a counselor from a local National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) member agency.  Springboard Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management, an NFCC member agency, provided face-to-face counseling to the Pedrozas, and developed a personalized action plan for the couple to follow in paying off their debt and taking control of their finances.

“We’re delighted to work with the Pedrozas as they take their first steps toward financial recovery,” said Melinda Opperman, Springboard’s senior vice president of community outreach and industry relations.  “We’ve helped thousands of couples like the Pedrozas regain financial stability after a family member has been out of work or ill and has accumulated credit card debt,” said Opperman.

In September, Experian introduced the Live Credit Smart Challenge, a national search for people who were facing real credit challenges and were ready to make a positive change in their lives.  Experian received entries from individuals and families all across the country.  The entries were reviewed by a panel of judges representing Experian and the NFCC to determine 10 semifinals.  In November, the public cast their vote for the stories they found the most compelling.  Winners were chosen based on the number of public votes and the judges’ scores.

To watch a video showcasing the Pedroza’s story and their financial journey, visit http://credit.org/blog/live-credit-smart-challege-winners/ or http://bit.ly/lSxyzP.

About Springboard Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management

SPRINGBOARD® Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit personal financial education and counseling organization founded in 1974. Springboard is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, a national organization of nonprofit credit counseling agencies, and a member of the Association of Independent Credit Counseling Agencies. The agency offers personal financial education and assistance with credit counseling, housing counseling, debt and money management through educational programs and confidential counseling. Springboard is accredited by the Council on Accreditation, signifying the highest standards for agency governance, fiscal integrity, counselor certification and service delivery policies. The agency provides pre-bankruptcy counseling and debtor education as mandated by the bankruptcy reform law. The agency offers nationwide phone counseling services and has locations in California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas for in-person counseling sessions.  Not all types of counseling are available in-person at all locations, please call for details.  For more information on Springboard, call 800-449-9818 or visit their web site at www.credit.org.