People Come First At Our Consumer Rights Law Firm
Continuing my discussion of the importance of your credit report , the focus of today’s blog is on the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (“EFTA”). The EFTA was passed in 1978 to establish consumers’ rights and responsibilities of all participants in electronic funds transfer activities. The Act applies to electronic fund transfers, such as those involving automatic teller machines (ATMs), point-of-sale…
The Fair Credit Billing Act (“FCBA”) is a federal law designed to protect you from unfair credit billing practices. The FCBA applies to open ended credit accounts, such as credit cards, department store cards and revolving credit accounts-a line of credit where your balance and monthly payment fluctuate. This Act provides guidelines for both consumers and creditors to manage disputes…
You are being sued for an old debt. What should you do? You are overwhelmed and need some advice. Why are you being sued? The purpose of the lawsuit being filed by the creditor or collector’s attorneys is because they ultimately want to seek a judgment against you and then garnish your wages or attach to certain assets of yours.…
In numerous previous posts, I have discussed both the definition and the importance of your credit score. Your score, specific to you as a consumer, is a number that defines your credit worthiness and is used by companies to evaluate the potential risk in making the decision to lend you money and at what interest rate. Below is a list…
With the new amendments to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”) regarding employment background checks, the number of cases filed continues to grow at a rapid pace. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the agency in charge of spear heading these amendments, is requiring stringent compliance of employers when accessing consumer reports, increasing the number of lawsuits filed alleging violations…
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”) you are entitled to one free copy of your credit report annually. Additionally, as a consumer you are permitted to review your credit report anytime and often as you like without affecting your score. However, when any other party reviews your report, this access, called an “inquiry”, is reported on your credit file…
Last week’s blogs discussed the importance of your credit score and explained how it is calculated. See blog. This week’s blog will give you some tips to improve your score, but there is no quick fix, as restoring your credit takes time and patience. When taking steps to improve your score, first, you need to check your report. If you…
While the Federal Government continues to crack down on abusive debt collection tactics the City of Chicago takes its own stance on the industry. The City recently passed a new ordinance governing collector conduct within its city limits, which takes effect July 1, 2013. This new ordinance requires collectors attempting to collect consumer debts from Chicago residents to be licensed…
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (“ECOA”) 15 U.S.C. § 1691 et seq. is a United States law enacted in 1974, that makes it illegal for a creditor to discriminate against a credit applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age or because you receive public assistance. The ECOA applies to any person who, in…
We recently wrote a blog on how certain companies do not fall within the definition of a “debt collector” under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Click here. If a person or business is not a debt collector under the FDCPA, then regardless of how despicable the conduct, they are not liable to the consumer under that law. Another such way…