People Come First At Our Consumer Rights Law Firm
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…
If you have old debt, it is important to know that a debt collector may not file a lawsuit against you or report a debt on your credit report. This is because the law limits the number of years a collector may sue you to collect a delinquent debt. The time period to file suit is known as the statute…
Your credit report is the foundation of your credit score. Because we live in a financially driven society understanding your report and the laws enacted to protect you if there are errors on your report are now more important than ever. Educating yourself on the consumer laws, known as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”), is essential. If you have…
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDPCA”) is the federal statute that governs how collection agencies can operate. The law protects consumers from abusive collection practices by debt collectors. A fast growing area of collection is collecting debts from deceased individuals….because when you die…your debt does not necessarily die with you. Collecting debts from the deceased often leads to contacting…
Like many other consumers, Oregon resident Julie Miller (“Miller”) had errors on her credit report. Like many other consumers, Miller disputed the errors on her report on multiple occasions. Like many other consumers, despite Miller’s attempts to fix her report, Equifax would not listen to her request and verified the information as accurately reported. Like many consumers, Miller took her…