By:Â 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 their unscrupulous conduct.
In a deal reached with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the government agency charged with regulating third party debt collectors, Expert Global has agreed to stop harassing consumers with allegedly illegal debt collection calls and to pay a $3.2 million civil penalty. The deal represents the largest ever obtained by the FTC against a third-party debt collector.
The FTC charged that Expert Global and its subsidiary companies violated Federal debt collection laws known as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA for short) by using abusive and harassing debt collection tactics such as calling consumers multiple times per day, calling after having been asked to stop, calling early in the morning or late at night, improperly calling consumers’ at work knowing that such calls are prohibited, and leaving phone messages that disclosed the existence of the debt to third parties.
The FDCPA gives consumers the power to swing the pendulum in the other direction and call the debt collector to the mat for violating consumer protections. If a debt collector violates the FDCPA, you can sue the debt collector for statutory damages up to $1,000.00, actual damages (like pain and suffering) and the debt collector may have to pay for your attorney.
If you need help settling or defending a debt collection law suit, stopping harassing debt collectors or suing a debt collector, contact us today to see what we can do for you.
The Law Offices of Robert J. Nahoum, P.C
(845) 232-0202
www.nahoumlaw.com
info@nahoumlaw.com