By: Robert J. Nahoum When you finance a car through a dealership, one of the most important documents in the transaction is the retail installment sales contract. The buyer should receive a copy of that contract, because it shows the real terms of the deal and helps the consumer verify what was actually agreed to. This matters not only as […]
Must Auto Dealers Provide Finance Car Buyers with a Copy of the Sales Contract?
Can Retirement Funds Be Levied in New York to Satisfy a Debt Collection Judgment?
By: Robert J. Nahoum Can retirement funds be levied in New York? In most cases, no. New York law generally protects retirement funds from judgment creditors, including many 401(k)s, IRAs, pensions, and similar retirement accounts. The key issue is usually not whether a creditor has a judgment, but whether the money is actually protected retirement money and whether it has been […]
Do Collection Agencies Sue Consumers in New York? What You Need to Know
By: Robert J. Nahoum If you have been contacted by a collection agency, you may be wondering: do collection agencies actually sue consumers? The answer is often misunderstood. In most cases, collection agencies themselves do not sue. Instead, lawsuits are typically filed by the original creditor or by a company that claims it purchased the debt – junk debt buyers. […]
Under The EFTA, Do You Have to Notify Your Bank in Writing About Unauthorized Electronic Transfers
By: Robert J. Nahoum Unauthorized electronic withdrawals, whether from debit card fraud, hacked accounts, ACH scams or CashApp, Zelle or Venmo, are increasingly common. One of the most frequent questions consumers ask is simple: Do I have to notify my bank in writing to be protected? The short answer is no, but there are important details that can affect your rights. […]
Voice Cloning Scams and Unauthorized Transfers: Your Rights Under the Electronic Funds Transfer Act
By: Robert J. Nahoum The Short Answer: Credit Cards Are Safer Voice cloning scams are no longer science fiction, they are happening right now, and they are costing consumers thousands of dollars in unauthorized electronic withdrawals. If you have received a frantic call from someone who sounded exactly like a loved one asking for money, you are not alone. These […]
Caught in an Auto Dealer Bait and Switch? Know Your Rights
By: Robert J. Nahoum You find the perfect car online. The price is right, the monthly payment fits your budget, and the listing says it’s sitting on the lot right now. You drive down to the dealership, excited to sign the paperwork, only to hear the salesperson say: “Oh, that car just sold an hour ago. But let me show […]
Mazda and Toyota Stop Buying Brokered Deals in New Jersey: What Car Buyers Should Know
By: Robert J. Nahoum Mazda and Toyota’s finance companies have taken a big step in New Jersey: they will no longer purchase lease or retail contracts involving brokered vehicle deals in the state. For consumers, this is another sign that brokered auto sales are drawing more scrutiny, especially when they involve transactions that may not comply with New Jersey law. […]
Why You First Learn About a Debt Lawsuit Through Wage Garnishment in New York
By: Robert J. Nahoum Most people assume they’ll know right away if they’ve been sued. In reality, many New Yorkers only discover a debt collection lawsuit after their paycheck is suddenly reduced by a wage garnishment. If that sounds surprising, you’re not alone, and there are specific legal and practical reasons why this happens so often. How Debt Lawsuits Are […]
New York Court Rejects Portfolio Recovery’s Request for a Default Judgment Due to Faulty Service
By: Robert J. Nahoum If you have ever checked your mail or credit report and seen the name Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC (PRA), you are far from alone. PRA is one of the largest junk debt buyers in the United States. They purchase billions of dollars in old, charged-off debts from credit card companies, banks, and finance companies for pennies […]
Digital Car Loan Signatures: A Step-by-Step Guide to Avoid Dealer Fraud
By: Robert J. Nahoum Digital signatures have made buying a car faster and more convenient, but they’ve also opened the door to new kinds of dealer fraud. Many buyers don’t realize that clicking “sign” on a tablet or phone can lock them into loan terms they never actually saw or agreed to. If you’re financing a car, especially through a […]