Last week, The Washington Post reported on an Iowa woman who is filing bankruptcy while being charged with 12 counts of mail fraud after borrowing more than $730,000 from friends and colleagues.

For years, Beverly De Ronde, 60, sent her friends letters asking for loans that she promised to repay later. Under the belief that the money was going to be used for a big anniversary gift for De Ronde’s husband, her friends would loan her the funds.

However, De Ronde instead spent the money on antiques, jewelery, and previous debts. Eventually, she mailed all of her lenders letters saying that she had been spending more than she could and that they should cease all contact with her. De Ronde is filing for bankruptcy protection, and her many debtors are concerned they will not be paid back.

If De Ronde had not decided to fool her friends, commit federal crimes, and continue spending beyond her means, she could have filed for bankruptcy much sooner and avoided the current problems she is facing. If you’re struggling under crushing debts, don’t turn to a life of crime and deceit. Instead, turn to the personal bankruptcy attorneys of Hong Law, PLC. Contact us at 319-632-1400 to learn more about how we can help.