The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a financial toll on consumers and small businesses, but the debt collection industry keeps going. Federal, state, and local governments have temporarily paused collection of some debts owed to the government (e.g. student loans and federally-backed mortgages), but private collectors continue to collect credit card debt, medical bills, and more…. Read More »
The Murphy Law Firm has seen a significant spike in scam debt collectors calling consumers during the COVID-19 Shutdown. These out-of-state unlicensed debt collectors make harassing calls to consumers and use false statements, deceptive practices and even threats in their attempts to extort money. Recent enforcements actions include claims against: IKS & Associates, LLC, a… Read More »
After extensive briefing and oral argument, on October 3, 2019, United States District Court Judge Dowell for the Northern District of Oklahoma granted certification of a class of 17,756 Oklahoma residents against a debt collector, Equinox Collection Services, Inc. (“Equinox”). In the lawsuit, the named plaintiff alleged that Equinox failed to provide consumers with the… Read More »
Weltman, Weinberg & Reis, based in Cleveland, Ohio, regularly collects debt related to credit cards, installment loan contracts, mortgage loans, and student loans. It collects on debts nationwide but only files collection lawsuits in seven states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The CFPB alleges that the firm engaged in illegal debt… Read More »
CLSMF: Protecting Central Florida Consumers’ Rights 2015 First Quarter E-Newsletter A Message From CLSMF Advocacy Director and Deputy Director, Kimberly Sanchez Consumer protection laws provide individuals with a way to fight back against abusive business practices. Most of these abusive business practices target the elderly, disabled and very poor. However, as the justice gap… Read More »
Unfair Debt Collection Attorney Fort Lauderdale, Florida The Bureau alleges company’s conduct is abusive and deceptive WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today filed a complaint in a federal district court against a Florida debt-relief company that misled consumers across the country and charged illegal fees for their services. The Bureau plans… Read More »
Bureau Alleges Company’s Conduct is Abusive and Deceptive WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today filed a complaint in a federal district court against a Florida debt-relief company that misled consumers across the country and charged illegal fees for their services. The Bureau plans to submit a proposed consent order that, if… Read More »
Callers Often Posed as Law Enforcement Authorities; Defendants will Be Permanently Barred from Debt Collection, Surrender Ill-Gotten Gains A California man who worked with bogus debt collectors in India has agreed to settle FTC charges that he and his companies deceived and threatened consumers into paying debts that were not owed or that the defendants… Read More »
Fraudulent and Unlawful Debt-Collection Practices Attorney General Kamala D. Harris of California Announces Suit Against JPMorgan Chase for Fraudulent and Unlawful Debt-Collection Practices. LOS ANGELES — Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today filed an enforcement action against JPMorgan Chase & Co. (Chase) alleging that the bank engaged in fraudulent and unlawful debt-collection practices against tens… Read More »
CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU TAKES ACTION AGAINST TWO COMPANIES FOR CHARGING ILLEGAL DEBT-RELIEF FEES WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today filed a complaint in a federal district court in New York against two debt-relief service providers that allegedly charged consumers illegal advance fees for debt-settlement services. The Bureau is seeking to… Read More »