People Come First At Our Consumer Rights Law Firm
Earlier this year, after launching an investigation into the Texas-based collection agency Goldman Schwartz, Inc., the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) makes the decision to file suit against the collector for violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”). The Texas U.S. District Court ordered the agency to close its doors after allegations of harassment, lies and threats were made…
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”) is the federal law that governs the credit reporting agencies’ conduct on consumer reporting. As of January 1, 2013 the FCRA underwent amendments concerning the access of arrest and conviction records in employment decisions. The FCRA imposes requirements on employers who use the credit reporting agencies to obtain reports on potential or existing employees…
The Fair Credit Reporting Act, also referred to as the “FCRA”, is a Federal law enacted to protect consumers and their credit reports. This law governs how your credit worthiness can be reported, dictates who can review your credit report and gives you the right to review and dispute information reported by creditors. A question you may be asking yourself…
In recent years, low income consumers are at great risk forbeing denied bank accounts, a necessityfor building finances and aiding low income Americans at getting ontheir feet. Innocent mistakes like a bounced check or anover-draft from an account have tarnished these consumers fromobtaining bank accounts because of private databases used by mostof America’s banking industry. In a post written last…
As I finish up this week’s blogs focusing on the efforts of the Consumer Financial protection Bureau (“CFPB”) I want to discuss a situation relating to the mortgage industry that the Bureau was faced with and how it enforced its policy. Earlier this month the CFPB announced its final decision in its effort to cease mortgage lenders from receiving improper…
Often times consumers complain about collection agencies and their collection efforts. They complain that the collectors are abusive and harassing, and, if nothing else, overly persistent in making phone calls. It is no secret that collectors use various tactics to coerce consumers in making payment on their debts. It is important to know that some of these practices are illegal…
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”) is a consumer-minded statute intended to protect debtors from the abusive collection practices of debt collectors. If a collector violates the FDCPA, the debtor has various means of recourse under the law. Under the FDCPA collectors are prohibited from using profane language or violence, making empty threats, calling excessively, charging more for a…
In a class action suit against Portfolio Recovery Associates, a consumer rights firms wins a $350,000 judgment against the collection agency for violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”). In the case of Zimmerman v Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC, a plaintiff sued the debt collector for sending a collection letter inferring he was being sued for collection of…
When faced with health issues, most consumers, even those with insurance, have a difficult time paying off medical bills that are not covered under your policy. Even with good financial planning the common consumer would find it difficult to paying off these exorbitant bills. Regardless, if your medical debt goes unpaid, it ends up on your report damaging your credit…
Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”), as a general rule, debt collectors are prohibited from communicating with third parties regarding your debt. There are however a few exceptions to this rule, but still require the collector to honor the debtor’s privacy. For the most part, collectors cannot contact your friends, neighbors, employers, co-workers and even most of…