gregartim

Credit Card lawsuits - But I owe the money?

I hear this one all the time. Potential clients call my office because they have been sued by collection agencies on old credit card accounts. I tell them that we can defend the case and likely win. They often say "But, I owe the money?" My response ... Read >

Another example of why debt settlement companies are a bad idea

It happened at my office again yesterday. Client X was working with a debt settlement company (always a huge mistake). He had 3 accounts with them, 1 with Discover Bank and 2 with FIA Card Services, totaling about $40000 in debt. The debt settlement com... Read >

The worst credit card lawsuit defenses ever.

I have encountered many people who have tried to defend credit card cases themselves in the past few months and am very surprised at some of the defenses that they think will work. The following are a few of the worst defenses that I have seen, and an exp... Read >

Reduce debt by 70% and other false claims

The advertisements for debt settlement companies are all over the radio and television. "Information the Credit Card companies don't want you to know" and "You are entitled to lower your credit card debt by 70%". "We can lower your payments substantia... Read >

Can a Collection Agency threaten...?

Collection agency threats are about as common as oxygen being in the air. To begin, they legally cannot "threaten" to do anything that is illegal, and they cannot "threaten" to take an action that they do not intend to actually take. The biggest threa... Read >

If you live in Pennsylvania, do not negotiate with a Collection Agency

So, the collection agency is calling you about an old debt. They want you to pay it, and they want you to pay it right now. Threats may come: "We'll put a judgment against you" or "We'll garnish your wages and bank account" are two of the most common. ... Read >

Should I hire a Debt Settlement company?

Drowning in debt? Don't know where to turn? How about calling one of those debt settlement companies that you hear on the radio or see on TV? In theory, their pitch sounds pretty good. Hire us and we will get all of your creditors to reduce the am... Read >

Debt Management Companies, Do They Work?

This topic has been coming up for me quite a bit at my office lately. I speak with a number of people each day who have enrolled in a Debt Management program and are not happy with the results. The first thing that strikes me is the cost of these prog... Read >

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

As you may know, there is a federal law that governs the types of actions or conduct a collection agency may take part in during the collection of a debt. The law is known as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and it sets forth both protectio... Read >

Prohibited Debt Collection Practices

As we all know, the country is in the midst of an economic crisis. Delinquencies on credit card accounts are at an all time high. Many of these delinquent accounts are being sold to unsavory debt collection agencies who have purchased the debt for penni... Read >

The 6 Step Pennsylvania Lemon Law Test

Take the Pennsylvania Lemon Law Test to see if you are driving a lemon. In PA, if you are driving a lemon, the Lemon Law sets forth that you are entitled to a full refund of the purchase price or a free replacement vehicle. 1. Does your vehicle exhib... Read >

Pennsylvania Wage Garnishment Law

Can my wages be garnished? That may be the number one question that I receive at my office from individuals who are facing a credit card or debt collection lawsuit. In Pennsylvania, the answer is no, with conditions. Pennsylvania is one of only fou... Read >

Credit Card Statute of Limitations in Pennsylvania

Credit Card collection lawsuits are on the rise across the country. We especially notice the increase in claims here in Pennsylvania based upon the volume of phone calls and emails that I receive on this topic. One of the biggest questions that I re... Read >

Credit Card Laws in PA

Credit Card collection lawsuits are rapidly increasing in Pennsylvania, especially with the down economy. The volume of phone calls and emails that I receive on this topic is astounding. What I have discovered is that many people do not know their right... Read >

Should I send the Collection Agency $10 per month?

This is a common question at my law firm. A potential client calls and says that they have defaulted on a credit card account. After I explain what their options are, they inevitably ask "Can't I just send them $10 per month? If I do that, then they can... Read >