Friend and Family Identity Theft: Another Success Story
“Identity theft” brings to mind credit card skimmers, hackers, massive data breaches, and even criminals rummaging through your garbage looking for identifying information and credit card numbers. While those are all very real threats, some dangers lie closer to home. In one recent year, more than 500,000 people in the United States fell victim to […]
Fighting Pre-Paid Credit Card Fraud
Fraudulent credit card charges of any type can be a significant stressor but pre-paid credit card fraud carries special risks. The nature and purposes of a pre-paid card mean that the user has often cashed his or her paycheck or made significant withdrawals from the bank to fund the card. Fraudulent charges or withdrawals may […]
Resolving Identity Theft Issues without Litigation
Resolving identity theft often requires significant time and effort, and both creditors and credit reporting agencies often incorrectly determine that debts are valid. However, identity theft victims shouldn’t assume the worst. In many cases, an experienced identity theft lawyer can help to resolve the problem without litigation. In one recent case, Schlanger Law Group (“SLG”) […]
Consumers May Pursue FDCPA Claims Without First Disputing Debt
The Second Circuit Court of Appeals recently took an important step to ensure that consumers receive the full protection of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The court ruled that a debt collector could not escape responsibility for FDCPA violations simply because the consumer failed to exercise her right to dispute the debt within […]
The SHIELD Act Aims to Improve Data Security In New York
Every state in the U.S., including New York, has some type of consumer data security and breach notification statute. However, many lawmakers and consumer advocates believe New York’s current law doesn’t go far enough. The Stop Hacks and Improve Electronic Data Security Act (SHIELD Act), originally proposed by former New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman […]
When Credit Reporting Agencies Stonewall, the Law Protects Consumers
Many consumers experience great difficulty in getting credit reporting errors and misrepresentations corrected. In some instances, the reluctance of credit reporting agencies (CRAs) and furnishers to fix errors can rise to the level of outright stonewalling. And the obstacles can seem insurmountable. While Transunion, Equifax, Experian and many furnishers (for instance, national banks and their […]
Don’t Put Up with Debt Harassment or Abuse
How does the law prevent creditors from harassing or abusing me? Too often, people who are overwhelmed by debt feel like they’re at the mercy of debt collectors. But, federal law protects debtors from harassment and abuse. When debt collectors cross the line, you can fight back—even if you have large debts or have missed […]
U.S. Supreme Court Denies Certiorari In Re Midland Funding, LLC Interest Rate Litigation: Consumer’s Victory Before Second Circuit Stands
The U.S. Supreme Court recently denied certiorari in re Midland Funding, LLC Interest Rate Litigation, in which Kakalec & Schlanger, LLP represents a putative class of approximately 50,000 consumers seeking to hold debt buyer Midland Funding, LLC liable for attempting to collect interest in excess of New York’s criminal usury rate of 25 percent. The […]
