SF Financial Advice Line needed now more than ever,
CCCS of SF leader tells 7 On Your Side’s Michael Finney

SAN FRANCISCO (September 26, 2011) - With California ranking as one of the top states for foreclosures, the SF Financial Advice Line is a critically important resource, Rick Harper of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco told Michael Finney of 7 On Your Side Friday in an interview announcing the advice line. Bay Area residents can call 2-1-1 Tuesday and Wednesday between 4 and 8 p.m. for financial advice from Harper himself, as well as CCSSF counselors, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, City Treasurer Jose Cisneros and local financial planners.

"People can have questions answered regarding debt, credit, credit reports, housing, investments, insurance, taxes, financial planning -- almost anything related to the household financial situation," Harper told Finney in an interview at CCCSSF's downtown San Francisco Friday. Harper is the organization's VP of Program Services.

"California posted the nation's third-highest foreclosure rate in January, and its unemployment rate is 3 percent above the national average," Harper told Finney, who is well-known for his weekly Consumer Talk show on KGO Newstalk 810 and the 7 on Your Side Segments on KGO-TV/ABC 7. The Financial Advice Line aims to help those who reside in the Bay Area get a handle on debt and learn to control their finances.

Volunteers from the United Way will put calls through to accredited, experienced financial experts, including fifteen counselors from CCCSSF, on Tuesday and Wednesday. The event is sponsored by the SF Smart Money Network, the Office of Economic Empowerment from the SF Treasurer's Office, United Way and others.

For more information about CCCS of San Francisco and the Housing Education Program, please visit www.cccssf.org and www.housingeducation.org.

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