People Come First At Our Consumer Rights Law Firm
Often times, when attempting to collect a debt, collectors contact friends and/or family members of the person who allegedly owes the debt, more formally referred to as “third party contact”. “Third party contact” can be done within the guidelines of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”). However, there are limits to these contacts, and a debt collector needs to be…
In a post earlier this week, I blogged about the inception and purpose of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”). When creating this agency the federal government required the submission of an annual report on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”) explaining the agency’s progress on supervising the entire collection industry. In an effort to better achieve its consumer…
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”), a consumer is afforded rights which protect them from unfair and/or deceptive collection practices. The FDCPA protects a consumer from the conduct of a collection agency but not from the conduct of an original creditor, the entity to which the debt was initially owed. Often times, consumers ask what they can do…
After the financial pressure of the holiday season its time to start worrying about all of your unpaid bills. Often times, after a bill goes unpaid for an extended period of time and the creditor’s collection efforts were unsuccessful, it will enlist the help of a collection agency to do its dirty work. Once an agency begins calling, you may…
Discussing debt is a huge source of stress for almost every individual. Using credit cards or store charges, financing an automobile, taking out a personal loan and or a home mortgage makes you a debtor and entitles you to the protection of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (the “FDPCA”). The FDPCA governs the conduct of collection agencies and ensures…
Can a debt collector leave a message on your answering machine or voice mail? The answer really depends on a few factors. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”) limits the conduct of debt collectors and their collection efforts, how the collector can contact you and what is said when trying to collect the debt. The FDCPA does not specifically…
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”)the credit reporting agencies (“CRA”) are required to follow “reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of the information” in reporting consumer information.” 15 U.S.C. 1681e(b). What this means is credit bureaus must report accurate information on its consumers and if notified that information may be inaccurate, must conduct an investigation into the claimed…
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) is an agency created by our federal government, responsible for protecting and regulating financial services relating to consumers. The bureau was created in response to the financial crisis our country underwent during the recession of this century. The bureau, which became effective on July 21, 2011, is responsible for policing banks, credit unions, payday…
Post graduation, paying off student loans provides a great deal of stress to consumers. In our suffering economy jobs are harder to find than ever before no matter what type of degree you carry, and repayment of loans proves more difficult than ever imagined. In fact, last year alone the amount of outstanding student loans surpassed the amount of credit…
Unwanted calls can be disruptive and stressful. There are laws that protect consumers against unwanted, automated sales calls and your landline. What are automated, robo-calls? Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the term “automatic telephone dialing system” means that it is equipment that stores or produces phone number to be called using a generator. Basically, it is a computerized autodialer…