Can a Debt Collector Text Me?

By: Robert J. Nahoum THE PROBLEM: In their ever creative ways to communicate with consumers and harass them into paying debts, two Glendale California based debt collectors began a campaign of sending text messages to consumers in which they failed to disclose that the texts were coming from a debt collector. The Rule: In a recent suit, the Federal Trade Commission […]

World’s Largest Debt Collector Settles Federal Charges and Agrees to Pay $3.2 Million Penalty For Repeated FDCPA Violations

By: Robert J. Nahoum THE PROBLEM: Expert Global Solutions and its subsidiaries comprise the largest debt collection operation the world has ever known.  With an operation that big swimming in the muck of the consumer debt collection industry, it should come as no surprise that some nasty shenanigans have been going on.  What may be surprising is the price-tag attached to […]

Repeated Hang Ups May Violate the FDCPA

By: Robert J. Nahoum THE PROBLEM: You are being hounded by debt collectors, the debt collection calls are coming fast and furious but one of the callers repeatedly hangs up either prior to or as soon as you or your voice mail answers the call.  Due to the hang ups, you don’t know the identity of the debt collector or the […]

Should I Record Debt Collection Calls?

By: Robert J. Nahoum THE PROBLEM: You’re behind on your bills and debt collectors are hot on your trail.  The debt collection letters are pouring in the door and the phone is ringing off the hook.  Something about those debt collection calls doesn’t sound right.  You’re being told information that is false, misleading or harassing.  Can you record these calls and […]

Does a Debt Collector Violate the FDCPA When He Threatens to Take My Unemployment Benefits?

By: Robert J. Nahoum THE PROBLEM: You’re out of work, fallen on hard times and your only income is from unemployment benefits.  Now you’re being harassed or sued by a debt collector who has threatened to take your unemployment benefits.  Can he get away with it? The Rule: Under federal debt collection laws known as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act […]

Must A Collection Agency Be Licensed In New York?

By: Robert J. Nahoum THE PROBLEM: You’re being pursued by a collection agency or perhaps one has already sued you.  The collection letter or the summons and complaint you received do not disclose a collection agency license number.  Does that debt collector have to be licensed? The Rule: There is no across the board New York state rule requiring someone acting […]

Debt Collector Harassing You On the Phone? When Can They Call and How Often?

By: Robert J. Nahoum Debt Collector Harassing You On the Phone? When Can They Call and How Often? Under federal debt collection laws know as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (or FDCPA), debt collectors cannot call you before 8 am or after 9 pm. Debt collectors are also precluded from calling you an unreasonable number of times. What is an […]

When Can a Debt Collector Talk About My Debt With Someone Else?

By: Robert J. Nahoum Are debt collectors calling your house and talking to someone else about your debt? Even worse, are debt collectors calling you at work? If so, they may have violated federal debt collection laws known as the Fair Debt Collection Act (FDCPA). What Can’t the Debt Collector Do? Without your prior consent, the debt collector may not communicate, […]