Month: October 2013

Fortunately, the majority of consumers have a clear understanding of the importance their credit has over their financial well-being.  As a consumer your knowledge of your credit report and its accuracy can mean the difference between you being approved credit at favorable interest rates or not.  The accuracy of the information contained in your report […]

There is an alarming new trend in debt collection scams.   Watch out for fake collection companies that are calling on legitimate debts.  These callers have information about debts that you owe, but have no authority to collect them.  Exactly how this information is obtained is unknown.  What you need to watch out for our bogus […]

For many of us, when a debt collector begins calling to collect on a debt it usually is no surprise.  Most consumers are aware of their finances and their inability to make payments.  When the collection calls begin it most often means your debt has not been paid in quite some time and a collector […]

Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) issues rules and regulations allowing consumers to file suit and collect damages for receiving unsolicited telemarketing calls, faxes, pre-recorded calls, autodialed calls, robo-calls or SMS text messages.  “Telemarketing” calls are calls received by a consumer made by advertisers offering products or services to […]

In August of 2008, Charles Keatts purchased a brand new Ford Explorer from Crain Ford in Little Rock, Arkansas.  The vehicle was a lemon.  Throughout the initial bumper-to-bumper warranty period, the vehicle was in the shop for multiple attempts to repair water leaks that seemed to drip from under the dash near the gas pedal.  […]

Earlier this week I discussed ways you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft.  In my blog, I briefly mentioned opting out of pre-approved credit card offers to shield your identity.  This topic deserves more attention.  While my suggestion of opting out of pre-approved credit card offers may sound like a no […]

Perhaps the federal government in its current shut-down did not realize how much they were helping the debt collection industry.  It looks as though Congress may have given collectors a big boost.  Certainly, it was hardly a consideration when decisions were made to shut down the government, but it is beginning to appear that the […]

Identity theft is one of the most devastating and fastest growing crimes in the United States today.   According to the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), it is estimated that as many as one out of five Americans fall prey to becoming a victim of identity theft each year.  Over the past decade, more than 35 million […]

Since the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”) amended the requirements of conducting employment background checks in early 2013, compliance has never been more important.  Consumers need to be cautious that their potential or existing employers are not violating their rights under the statute and knowing their rights is the first step to protection.    Employers must […]

Over the past several months, consumer attorneys nationwide have noticed a steady incline of Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) being filed against collection agencies.  According to a survey taken over the past year, lawsuits filed under the TCPA have continued a steady increase rising by as much as 15% from August of 2012 and almost […]