2020 Best Invention

"How Far Back Does Social Security Check Your Bank Account" Discussion

Upsolve is a nonprofit tool that helps you file bankruptcy for free. Think TurboTax for bankruptcy. Get free education, customer support, and community. Featured in Forbes 4x and funded by institutions like Harvard University so we'll never ask you for a credit card. Explore our free tool


Compiled by Upsolve Team

Live Community Q&A

763 Members Online · 5,543+ Posts

Professional Q&As for "How Far Back Does Social Security Check Your Bank Account"

Upsolve Community Member
2021-11-05

I HAVE FILED A BANKRUPTCY IN THE EARLY 80S AND I DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT IT. SINCE IT WAS 30 YEARS AGO, WILL I STILL HAVE TO INCLUDE INFORMATION AND WHERE WOULD I START TO GET THIS INFORMATION?

3 Reactions

Community Replies:

Upsolve Community Member
Hi Renee! Great question! The bankruptcy forms ask about any bankruptcies filed in the past eight years. Generally speaking, a debtor is required to list any bankruptcies they've filed in the past eight years. 

Upsolve Community Member
Because most bankruptcy courts don't store electronic records for cases going that far back, if you want access to that old case, you'd have to ask for those records in person or over the phone. 

Upsolve Community Member
2021-12-01

How far back should I go with debts if they are not in my credit report?

2 Reactions

Community Replies:

Upsolve Community Member
Good question! 

Upsolve Community Member
It might be frustrating to hear, but all debts you owe need to be listed, no matter how far back they go or if they appear on your credit report or not 

Upsolve Community Member
https://upsolve.org/learn/can-i-leave-debts-out-of-my-bankruptcy/ here's the article that I found that explains why you can't leave debts out! I hope that helps you Kristina 

Upsolve Community Member
Thanks so much for sharing this, Pete! 

Upsolve Community Member
2021-12-20

I cannot afford a bankruptcy lawyer. Does this really work to file yourself?

16 Reactions

Community Replies:

Upsolve Community Member
Mary yes it really works i thought it would be hard...On the contrary pretty straightforward and simple.....and the upsolve team can answer your questions along the way.....

Upsolve Community Member
Hi Mary! I know, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Welcome to your free lunch...  It's actually a partnership because, through a series of questions and answers, YOU provide the answers and if some of the questions are confusing, the Upsolve Learning Center will most likely have your answers. This Community will assist you in locating the appropriate Learning Center information should you have difficulties. I am an Upsolver! I filed and was discharged in 2020. I couldn't afford a lawyer either and not only was Upsolve the tool I needed to do it myself, but I believe in Upsolve so much, I am here to assist others like you! Good luck, Mary! :-). 

Upsolve Community Member
I have a question. So far it had been easy enough answering the questions. I am stuck though on how how to find all the places you owe and cannot pay? A second question, is on credit Karma I can pull up Transunion and Experian (I think it was Experian). I have 2 credit scores show in the high 500's. They are a couple numbers a part. My question is I did not have a but 3 credited on it I owe..and my student loans whick say I am good standing. Anything else say there closed. So why is my credit score so low?

Upsolve Community Member
Mary, as a former Upsolve filer now rebuilding credit, let me see if I can assist with the several questions you have here. First, CREDIT KARMA is a commercial company NOT a credit reporting agency. This Upsolve Learning Center article: https://upsolve.org/learn/get-your-free-credit-report/ As far as Student Loans are concerned, late payments on private and federal student loans are reported to credit agencies. If they are in good shape, you won't see them on your credit report(s). I hope this helps! :-) 

Upsolve Community Member
You might also find this article helpful, Mary! https://upsolve.org/learn/do-not-remember-creditors-owed-chapter-seven-bankruptcy/

Upsolve Community Member
Thank you. It did help but it's really overwhelming trying to find all the places you owe. Do I go back as far as I can with the debt?  Does this Questioner have to be done in 5 days? What happens if it isn't? Like I said it overwhelming. Sorry guys to ask all these questions.

Upsolve Community Member
You can take longer if you need, Mary. Thanks so much for being here

Upsolve Community Member
2022-01-23

I feel torn and lost does anybody else feel that way?

Community Replies:

Upsolve Community Member
Hi Falon! Well, I certainly did but I persevered and got my Chapter 7 done which gave me a FRESH START. You are on the right track and you should pat yourself on the back for getting this far. If I can do it, you can do it! Good luck! :-)

Upsolve Community Member
Don't hesitate to take action on a better quality of life. I waited for two years before I finally decided to do it and that was when I ran across UpSolve. Let me tell you it wasn't simple, but it was easier than doing it all by yourself. You will have a checklist and you will see and know everything you have to do. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!

Upsolve Community Member
You're not alone, Falon- so many people here are in similar shoes 

Upsolve Community Member
We're all here to be of support along the way- you CAN do this 

Upsolve Community Member
2022-01-24

How does this work when you have gone without income so long? Still seems a bit overburdening.

Community Replies:

Upsolve Community Member
Many people file Chapter 7 bankruptcy while unemployed- it's totally okay and employment status, in of itself, won't be an obstacle to a successful bankruptcy filing.

Upsolve Community Member
Consuela! A FREE service is overburdening? I am 68 years old and I managed to do this on my own. Join the club of being unemployed --- there are a lot of you. Nobody hires Medicare aged people. Suck it up, pat yourself on the back for getting this far and we will see you on the OTHER SIDE --- a FRESH START --- when you are given the opportunity to get a handle on your finances. If I can do it you can too. :-)


It's easy to get help

Choose one of the options below to get assistance with your bankruptcy:

Free Web App

Take our screener to see if Upsolve is right for you.

Take Screener
9,136 families have filed with Upsolve! ☆
or

Private Attorney

Get a free bankruptcy evaluation from an independent law firm.

Find Attorney

Learning Center

Research and understand your options with our articles and guides.

Go to Learning Center →

Already an Upsolve user?

Read Support Articles →

News

    + Show Articles

    Upsolve is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that started in 2016. Our mission is to help low-income families who cannot afford lawyers file bankruptcy for free, using an online web app. Spun out of Harvard Law School, our team includes lawyers, engineers, and judges. We have world-class funders that include the U.S. government, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and leading foundations. It's one of the greatest civil rights injustices of our time that low-income families can’t access their basic rights when they can’t afford to pay for help. Combining direct services and advocacy, we’re fighting this injustice.

    To learn more, read why we started Upsolve in 2016, our reviews from past users, and our press coverage from places like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.