Workplace Collections-Be Careful!

EZCORP, an Austin, TX, payday lender, engaged in improper conduct the course of workplace collections activities. The punishments for this were severe, including penalties and the eradication of the company’s entire loan portfolio!

JPMorgan Chase: Credit Card Violations In California

In mid-December of 2015, California’s Attorney General, Kamala D. Harris, recently announced a stipulated judgment that resolved allegations that JPMorgan Chase (Chase) committed credit card debt collection violations.

According to Harris’ allegations, Chase committed credit card debt collection abuses against thousands of Californians. Specifically, the settlement addresses debt collection wrongdoing. Examples allegedly include collecting incorrect amounts, selling bad credit card debt and running a debt collection mill.

Chase will pay $50 million in restitution to consumers nationwide, with about $10 million of that going to California consumers.

“Abusive and illegal debt collection practices will not be tolerated in California,” Harris said. “This settlement provides real relief to tens of thousands of Californians, including service members, and prevents JPMorgan Chase from continuing these deceptive and illegal debt collection practices.”

Chase filed more than 125,000 credit card collection lawsuits against California consumers between 2009 and 2013. The company allegedly relied on illegally robo-signed sworn documents.

The attorney general initially filed the litigation against Chase on May 9, 2013. The stipulated judgment resolves that filing. Separately, Chase will pay additional penalties and fines to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and other states in similar actions.

Collection Agency Threatens To Exhume Dead Children And Desecrate Their Bodies

This is disgusting, and shows the failure of the collection industry to regulate itself.

The whole story is here, but, be warned, it is not pleasant!

 

Minnesota CRACKS DOWN on Debt Collectors!

This is good news! Read the whole story here.

 

Razor Capital: Insufficient Data to Validate Debts!

Razor Capital is a junk debt buyer. They seem to move debt from one collection agency to another. When the collection agencies are asked to validate the debt, they cannot do so.

This is a clear indication that Razor Capital, when purchasing debts, did not receive the information necessary to validate them! That means, legally, that the debts cannot be collected!

 

Intelius Introduces New “Opt-Out” Procedure

It seems Intelius was flooded with faxes.

They are offering an online way to opt-out of their database.

You can find the details here.

Do this now-Intelius, which is not always that accurate, is one of the preferred tools of collection agencies!

 

How To Get “Out” of Intelius and ZabaSearch

There is updated information here.

They make a good point, do this often to make sure your information stays “suppressed”-an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!!

Debt Validation Letter?

If you are contacted by a collection agency, you need to respond with a debt validation letter. This link gives you an example that has worked!

 

Did (866) 351-9793 Call You?

Learn more about this call from Imperial Commercial here.

Short answer: it is a scam, a “joint venture” between a low end collection agency and the Bank of America.

 

Atlantic Credit and Finance: Defeated in Court AGAIN

Atlantic Credit and Finance is operated by the Woolwine brothers, Kelly and Richard. They work with their cousin, attorney John P. Frye.

Like many other debt collectors, they use harassment and abusive practices. On the rare occasions that they go to court, they tend to lose.