People Come First At Our Consumer Rights Law Firm
As you get ready to send your child off to college for the first time or as a returning student, you may be thinking, “Should I send them with a credit card?” Credit cards can be a plus and a minus; they are a convenient way for your child to have the means to support their financial needs, be it…
Over the years I have dealt with numerous cases of identity theft so I sat down and thought about what I would do if my identity had been stolen. Given my knowledge of credit reporting, creditors, bill collectors, and my experience with the laws that govern these companies, I put together what I would do if an impostor used my…
Debt collectors have added social media to their collection process. Collectors can use social media to locate people or see if they have any assets. Some collectors use social media to harass someone. Examples include posting messages that let the world know you owe a debt or contact friends and family. These are clear violations of the Fair Debt Collection…
Everyone is susceptible to identity theft. The young or old, rich or poor – be careful. Here are 10 important tips and facts about identity theft so you can avoid becoming a victim. 1. Thieves do not need your credit card to steal your identity. Thieves need only one piece of information about you like your social security or birthdate. Then…
Marquis Jones has been sued by a debt collection company for a credit card that she does not believe she owes. The firm never proved she did own the debt. But Jones was never given notice of the lawsuit. The collection company’s process server claimed her nonexistent “wife” accepted the summons. The county judge approved a $992 judgment against her last…
The Federal Trade Commission shut down a Southern California debt collection business accusing them of harassing consumers and small business owners with obscene language and threats. They are being charged with violating the Federal Trade Commission Act and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. On Sept 30, the FTC froze the business operations and seized the assets of this Southern California…
The Federal Trade Commission staff looked at a company selling background reports that include information derived from social media to see if they complied with the FCRA. The companies selling such reports have to comply that information derived from social media must comply with the FCRA. This means that the have to provide copies of the report to the people…
Why are children’s identity being stolen? First, identity from children is easier to abuse than adults. There are no guardrails or routine checkups for children’s credit. Thieves can build entire credit histories that go undetected for years. Second, a child’s credit report is like a blank slate. There is no good or bad credit attached to a child’s credit report.…
The General Rule of Thumb Collectors cannot talk to third parties without your permission. A debt collection agency cannot discuss your debt with third parties (friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances, etc.) unless they have your express permission. Quite simply that means the debtor themselves must tell the collector that they have permission to speak with a particular person, i.e., a…
Debit cards have become the new normal. But did you know that debit cards are your least-friendly piece of plastic in your wallet? The costs of using debit cards are rising. Bank of America now charges a $5 monthly fee for making debit-card purchases. Chase, PNC and TD Bank charges $5 for each ATM usage. Banks that had offered debit…