People Come First At Our Consumer Rights Law Firm
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…
In a recent change to your credit report, the three major credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and Trans Union, have amended their reporting to include information regarding your credit card payment history. This change will affect more than 150 million credit card paying consumers. In addition to reporting whether you make timely payments each month, the information reported will detail…
When you have collection agencies contacting you, it is often a scary and overwhelming experience, forcing you to let your guard down and not think as clearly. Collection agencies use your emotions and vulnerability to force you into making payment on debts that may either be illegitimate or inflated. Collection agencies often provide you with little information about the debt…
Many consumers lives are dependent on their ability to maintain a strong credit standing. Those who have good credit are quick to share that information with you and those who don’t are usually ashamed. In fact, poor credit scores have launched an entire industry of credit repair companies who are willing to take money to improve your score. While credit…
Often times when a debt goes unpaid the original creditor will hire a collection agency to file suit against you. If successful, this suit will result in a judgment and then, likely garnishment. Garnishment is a means of involuntarily collecting money owed on a debt after obtaining a judgment against the debtor. The most common type of garnishment is wage…
With the use of social media on the rise, more and more businesses are turning to Facebook and other social media sites to aid in their advertising. The collection industry is no different. Recently a case was found in which a collector reached out to a debtor by sending a message through Facebook. Can a collector do this or is…
While I always try to write to you about the success stories of consumers that stood up for their rights, I also have to give the bad news on occasion. Thus, today’s blog is about a recent decision that came out badly for the consumer. In Zememckis v. Global Credit & Collection Corp. on appeal, the Seventh Circuit dismissed the…