Month: August 2013

All too often I have potential clients come to me with complaints that they have been treated unfairly by a debt collector.  I listen to situations where the collector used profane language or spoke in a harassing voice, how a collector threatened to file suit or send the debtor to jail for failure to make […]

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”) an employer is not required to conduct an employment background check but most employers do.  Whether you are a potential employee looking to get hired or currently employed at your job, the FCRA has adopted standards that employers must adhere to when conducting a background check. In general, […]

The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) is tightening the reins on data brokers to ensure fair treatment of consumers in the market place by making sure information reporting is more accurate than in years past.  In its effort to promote this fair treatment, after numerous consumer complaints, the FTC launched an investigation against Certegy Check Services, […]

In recent years, low income consumers are at great risk for being denied bank accounts, a necessity for building finances and aiding low income Americans at getting on their feet.  Innocent mistakes like a bounced check or an over-draft from an account have tarnished these consumers from obtaining bank accounts because of private databases used […]

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”), […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]