A Guide to Consumer Fraud in Georgia

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As a consumer in Georgia, you have the legal right to truthful information about products and services you purchase or wish to purchase. When we make a purchase, we need to be able to trust the merchant is being truthful. But, when a business sells you something fraudulently, they need to be held accountable.  Consumer Fraud is often related to false promises or inaccurate claims made to consumers, as well as business practices that directly cheat consumers out of their money.

What is Consumer Fraud?

It is a practice designed to deceive consumers into purchasing a product or service.

Under the Georgia Fraud Statute [O.C.G.A § 51-6-2], fraud is defined as a willful misrepresentation of a material fact that is made to induce another to act, upon which such person acts to his injury.

Keep in mind that knowledge of the falsehood is an essential element of this tort.

But, a fraudulent or reckless representation of facts as true when they are not, is the same as knowledge of their falsehood.

Examples of Consumer Fraud

  • Shop at home and catalog sales
  • Foreign money and counterfeit check scams
  • Banks, lenders, and mortgage fees
  • Business opportunities and work from home
  • Advance fee loans and credit protection repair
  • Travel, Vacation, and Timeshare Plans
  • Credit Card Fraud
  • Life insurance plans
  • Car Dealership Fraud
  • Car Repair Fraud
  • Telephone and computer services

What are the signs of consumer fraud?

  • Unreliable and misleading information;
  • False or misleading promises;
  • Unethical, deceitful, or aggressive sales tactics;
  • Promises that cannot be kept;
  • Unsatisfactory products or services;
  • Lies or misrepresentations made to consumers;
  • Unusually high prices charged for services;
  • Unlicensed, unregistered, unsanctioned or unapproved products or services;
  • Illegal activity (unauthorized use, false advertising, tax evasion, unauthorized use of trade secrets, etc.);
  • Illegal or abusive business practices.

How does Diwan Law help people who have been a victim of consumer fraud?

For Individuals, Diwan Law is a firm uniquely positioned to help clients at all stages of the consumer fraud investigation, litigation, and resolution process.

We focus our attention on those who have been defrauded, their families, and loved ones. We encourage consumers to contact us immediately and seek legal recourse to help them restore their financial health.

Conclusion

If you believe that you have been a victim of consumer fraud, it is essential to hire a Consumer Fraud Lawyer who can handle your case from beginning to end.

If you have experienced any of the following, then you may have a consumer fraud claim:

  • Being lied to about the condition of a car or any other item before purchasing it;
  • Improperly billed for a product or service;
  • A merchant offering one product but deliver another [“bait and switch”];
  • Being sold an item as new, and later learned that this item was actually used;
  • Being lied to about the source of a product;
  • Being lied to about the certifications of a service provider;
  • A merchant offering a defective product;
  • Being lied to about the uses of a product.

Diwan Law is a consumer protection law firm with a reputation for excellence in handling fraud cases, both large and small. Contact the Georgia consumer attorneys of Diwan Law today at 404-635-6883 schedule your initial consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.

Few Consumers in Debt Lawsuits Have a Lawyer

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Why do so few consumers in debt collection lawsuits have a debt defense lawyer?

Unfortunately, the main reason is that many consumers choose to ignore the lawsuit because they do not think that they can succeed against the credit card company or debt collector.

Sadly, if a defendant does not participate in the litigation, the creditor wins the case by default.

But, multiple studies have found that consumers who did have a debt defense lawyer in a debt claim were more likely than those without representation to win their cases or reach a settlement.

Debt Collection Lawsuits

Many people think that creditors prefer to avoid lawsuits because it requires them to pay lawyers and incur litigation costs. This is not true.

Creditors routinely file lawsuits against consumers based on allegations of unreported and missed payments, overdue fees, or charges not authorized by the consumer.

If a defendant fails to respond to the court summons or does not appear in court, the judge may rule in the plaintiff’s favor and issue a default judgment that may result in a monetary award against the defendant.

Default Judgments Can Exact Heavy Tolls On Consumers

Debt collection lawsuits that end in default judgments can have lasting consequences for consumers’ economic stability.

Besides the principal amount, the court may also award court and lawyer’s fees to the plaintiff, which can amount to thousands of dollars.

Once a creditor has a monetary judgment, it can garnish the consumer’s bank account and wages.

Post Judgment Interest

Once the monetary judgment is entered, post-judgment interest starts to accrue.

Post-Judgment Interest is interest on a court judgment that a creditor can collect from the time the judgment is entered in the court clerk’s record until it is satisfied.

Consumers who find themselves paying post-judgment interest on default judgments can face an even deeper cycle of debt.

Why Should You Hire a Collection Defense Lawyer?

A debt collection defense attorney plays an integral role in court proceedings.

A collections defense attorney will assert all viable defenses, file the appropriate motions, and negotiate with creditors.

In the majority of cases, customers with an experienced collection defense lawyer will have a better outcome, such as winning their case.

Conclusion

If a creditor is suing you for any amount of money, contact Diwan Law, the credit card defense attorney, to discuss your legal options. Call Diwan Law, 404-635-6883, for a free consultation.

About Diwan Law

Diwan Law is passionate about getting our clients the best result possible.

Diwan Law handles debt collection cases in the Magistrate, State, and Superior Courts of Georgia.

Diwan Law represents clients facing:

  • Debt buyer lawsuits (i.e. Midland Funding, Portfolio Recovery Associates, Asset Acceptance, Cavalry Portfolio Services, Unifund, etc.);
  • Credit Card lawsuits (i.e. American Express, Citibank, Suntrust, etc.);
  • Suits stemming from automobile repossession deficiencies, apartment leases, and other contract-related matters;
  • Dormant judgment revival; and
  • Garnishment actions on bank accounts or wages.
Sandy Springs Traffic TIcket Attorney

Sandy Springs Traffic Ticket Attorney

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As a Sandy Springs Traffic Ticket Attorney, Diwan Law fights reckless driving tickets and all other traffic violations in Sandy Springs and the surrounding areas. Contact Diwan Law at 404-635-6883 today for a free consultation.

GEORGIA RECKLESS DRIVING

Georgia considers Reckless Driving a serious traffic violation. If convicted of reckless driving, the court may impose a sentence that includes a fine of up to $1,000.00, up to 12 months in jail, or both. A conviction for reckless driving will also add four points to your license.

Georgia code defines reckless driving is as “any person who drives any vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property…” O.C.G.A.§40-6-390.

As for what the law considers “reckless” in terms of driving, there is a myriad of possibilities, but the major actions associated with reckless driving cases include:

  • Speeding
  • Driving too fast for conditions
  • Weaving through traffic
  • Driving on the shoulder or in the emergency lane
  • Failure to obey a traffic control device
  • Failure to yield
  • Tailgating
  • Following too close
  • Texting while driving
  • DUI (even if your blood alcohol content level is below the legal limit, you still could be charged with reckless driving).

Besides the points on your license, a reckless driving conviction will also cause your insurance premium to increase.

Reckless Driving tickets are considered part of your Georgia driving record. Insurance companies will check your driving record and use the information to help determine your chances of having an accident or making an insurance claim. If the insurance companies determine that you are a higher-risk driver, your insurance premium will increase.

As a Sandy Springs traffic ticket attorney, Diwan Law can usually handle your reckless driving case without you having to appear, which will save you precious time.

Contact Diwan Law at 404-635-6883 today for a free consultation with a traffic ticket lawyer.

What is Zombie Debt?

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Once a certain amount of time has elapsed, a debt collector, credit card company, or creditor can no longer file suit against you to collect on the debt, but you still have to worry about a collector trying to collect this zombie debt.

What is a Zombie Debt?

Zombie debt is old debt that is usually charged off as bad debt by the original creditor and later sold to a collection agency.

In many cases, zombie debt is legally unenforceable, meaning that, unlike your current creditors, zombie debt collectors cannot sue you to collect the debt.

But, there is no law against trying to collect the debt, and many consumers end up paying the debt.

How zombie debt works

Debt collectors cannot take you to court for zombie debts, but they may contact you to collect the debt.

The cost to buy expired debt is often low, so when consumers agree to repay their old debts, zombie-debt collectors can earn decent profits.

Debts that zombie-debt collectors try to collect

If you completed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your unsecured debts may be discharged, which means you are no longer obligated to pay these debts.

  • Time-barred debt

Except for federal student loans, most debts have a statute of limitations. This means after a certain amount of time has passed, a debt collector can no longer sue you to collect on the debt.

The statute of limitations on debt in Georgia usually ranges from four to six years.

  • Debt that is not yours

A debt collector mixes you up with another consumer, or someone could steal your identity and make fraudulent charges in your name.

Even though it is not your debt, the debt collector will try to collect from you.

How to protect yourself from zombie debt collectors

If a zombie debt collector continues to call you even though your debt is time-barred or the debt is not yours, consider taking one of the following approaches.

  1. Tell the debt collector to stop contacting you

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act [the “FDCPA”], you have the right to tell a debt collector not to contact you.

If a zombie-debt collector violates the FDCPA by harassing or threatening to sue you, contact a consumer rights attorney immediately.

  1. Ask the zombie debt collector to validate the debt

If you are unsure whether a debt belongs to you, contact the creditor and ask for a validation notice. This notice should contain the amount of the debt, who the original creditor is, and when the debt was incurred. Compare this to your records.

If the debt is not yours or the amount is incorrect, send a dispute letter to the creditor and contact a consumer’s rights lawyer.

Contact an Atlanta Debt Defense Lawyer

A debt collection defense attorney has experience standing up against debt collection agencies. They can provide you with the legal representation you need when dealing with any debt collection issue.

The bottom line

If a debt collector contacts you about a debt that has expired, has already been paid off, or does not belong to you, you are not legally responsible for repaying it.

If you are dealing with any debt collection legal matter in Atlanta, GA, call the skilled consumer rights lawyer at Diwan Law, LLC. Call 404-635-6883 to schedule an initial consultation today.

Diwan Law is qualified to handle debt collection matters involving the following types of debt (not an exhaustive list):

  • Credit Card Debt
  • Department Store / Retail Debt
  • Car, Truck, Vehicle, Auto Loans
  • Boat and other Recreational Vehicle Loans
  • Home Loans
  • Personal Loans

No FDCPA Violation Exists If Offer Fails to Disclose Interest

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The U. S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held that a debt collector did not violate the FDCPA by sending the consumer a settlement offer letter that did not disclose that his balance could increase due to interest and fees.

In Cortez v. Forster & Garbus, LLP, a creditor placed a consumer’s credit card debt with a debt collector for collection. After obtaining a default judgment, the debt collector sent several collection notices to the consumer.

One such notice provided the consumer various settlement options to satisfy the debt at a “substantial discount off the current balance due.” But, the settlement letter did not disclose that interest was continuing to accrue on the debt.

The consumer filed an action against the collection agency accusing it of violating the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act’s [the “FDCPA”] prohibition against false, deceptive, or misleading representations when collecting a debt, 15 U.S.C. § 1692e, for failing to disclose that interest was accruing on the account.

The Court ruled that, though a debt collector is required to disclose that the balance may increase due to interest and fees, the rule did not apply in this case because the settlement proposal clearly stated that acceptance of one of the options would satisfy the debt, and could not mislead the consumer.

The Cortez decision may limit some potential FDCPA lawsuits, but it does not close the door on all FDCPA lawsuits related to settlement offers.

If you believe that an abusive debt collector, creditor, or credit card company has violated your consumer rights, then Diwan Law can help you. Contact us today at 404-635-6883 to speak to an Atlanta consumer rights attorney.

What is a debt collector

What is a Debt Collector?

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What is a Debt Collector in Georgia?

A “debt collector,” as defined by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act [“FDCPA”], is a person or a business that regularly collects debts owed to another. Still, this definition does not fully explain what a debt collector is.

Most first-party creditors [credit card company or bank] or lenders will try to collect debts themselves before resorting to writing it off. Typically, past-due accounts won’t be charged off until they’re 120 to 180 days late.

After a consumer defaults on a loan, the account is sent to a third-party debt collector or buyer [hereinafter referred to as “debt collector”]. The debt collector then attempts to collect on the debt, rather than the first-party creditor or lender to whom the debt is originally owed.

The collection agencies and attorneys who collect these debts as part of their regular course of business are considered debt collectors. Also included are businesses that buy past-due debts from creditors or other companies and then try to collect them.

The debt collection market is significant and affects many people. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau [“CFPB”] states that around one-third of consumers with a credit bureau file reported contact from at least one debt collector.

The FDCPA is the main federal statute regulating the consumer debt collection market. The FDCPA prohibits debt collectors from engaging in certain types of behavior [such as misrepresentation or harassment] when seeking to collect debts from consumers and grants consumers the right to dispute or stop some communications about an alleged debt.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act covers personal, family, and household debts, including hospital bills, credit cards, and car loans.

If a debt collector is contacting you, you need to speak to a consumer’s rights lawyer.

Contact Diwan Law at 404-635-6883 for a free case evaluation.

violations of the fdcpa

Common Violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

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Are you being harassed by debt collectors? Contact Diwan Law today at 404-635-6883 to schedule a free consultation to discuss how the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act [FDCPA] can help you.

When you fall behind on your debts, it seems like your creditors will stop at nothing to try to get you to make a payment. Fortunately, Federal law prohibits a wide range of unfair and abusive debt collection activities.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act [FDCPA)] protects consumers from harassment and abusive behavior by debt collectors and collection law firms.

If a debt collector violates the FDCPA, consumers may pursue a lawsuit against the collector. If successful, the consumer is entitled to monetary damages, and the debt collector or collection law firm will also be responsible for the customer’s legal fees.

Typical Violations of the FDCPA:

  • Harassment;
  • Verbal abuse;
  • Continuing to call a consumer after the customer has told the debt collector to stop;
  • Writing or calling the consumer after being notified that a lawyer represents the customer;
  • Threatening to report the consumer to the IRS;
  • Threatening to have the consumer arrested if he or she does not pay the debt collector;
  • Threatening to file a lawsuit against the consumer when none is intended;
  • Calling a consumer’s cell phone without permission;
  • Placing personal information on an envelope;
  • Misrepresenting or inflating the amount of the debt;
  • Failing to disclose that the company is a debt collector;
  • Contacting a consumer after 9 pm or before 8 am;
  • Threatening to take legal action, or sue, on a time-barred or “stale” debt.

If you believe a debt collector has violated the FDCPA, you may be able to take legal action and recover monetary damages. Contact Diwan Law at 404-635-6883 for a free case evaluation.

 

Debt Collection Defense Attorney: Are you being sued by Midland Credit Management or Midland Funding?

Are you being sued by Midland Credit Management?

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Are you being sued by Midland Credit Management or Midland Funding?

Midland Credit Management (MCM) and Midland Funding lawsuits can be intimidating and financially devastating. You need a Debt Collection Defense Attorney, Diwan Law, on your side.

What is Midland Credit Management and Midland Funding?

Midland Credit Management (MCM) and Midland Funding lawsuits can be intimidating and financially devastating. You need a Debt Collection Defense Attorney, Diwan Law, on your side.

Midland Credit Management and Midland Funding are debt collection agencies. Debt collectors buy delinquent accounts from banks, credit unions, consumer finance companies, hospitals, auto finance companies, and telecommunication companies.

When a person falls behind on credit card or car payments, he or she will receive a non-stop string of calls and letters from debt collectors, such as Midland Credit Management or Midland Funding.

If you ignore those calls and letters long enough, the debt collector will hire a lawyer who will send you an attorney collection letter.

A debt collection attorney’s collection letter is the last step before the collection agency files a lawsuit against an individual.

Many people think debt buyers, like Midland Credit Management and Midland Funding, prefer to avoid lawsuits because it requires them to pay lawyers and incur litigation costs. This is not true. If this were true, credit card lawsuits would be far less common than is the case.

What to do if you are being sued by Midland Credit Management or Midland Funding 

You need to respond quickly when a debt collection company serves you with a lawsuit. The worst response is to do nothing. If you do not respond to the lawsuit, the debt collector may get a default judgment against you. Besides obtaining a judgment for the principal, the debt collector may be awarded attorney’s fees for the collection of the judgment.

Armed with the default judgment, the debt collection company can garnish your wages and bank accounts. What’s worse is that the judgment continues to accrue interest as the balance remains unpaid.

Before accepting a judgment against you, speak with a Debt Defense Lawyer

A collections defense attorney will explain your rights and the legal process, such as how long you have to answer the lawsuit, the proven defenses, and the impact of a judgment.

Contact Diwan Law

Our law firm is experienced in debt collection law and has an established record of protecting consumer’s rights and explaining your options to you when a company like Midland Funding or Midland Credit Management sues you. No matter where you are in the collection process, you deserve to know your rights and what to expect. Give us a call at 404.635.6883.

Debt Collection Defense: Violations of the FDCPA

Consumer Rights Attorney: Violations of the FDCPA

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If you have been one of the many victims of unlawful debt collection practices, then an experienced consumer rights attorney can protect your rights. Contact Diwan Law today at 404-635-6883 to schedule your consultation to discuss these violations of the FDCPA.

Protection from Unlawful Debt Collection Practices

Debt Collection agencies often employ persistent and overly aggressive tactics when attempting to collect outstanding debts. Many of these tactics are against the law.

Consumer protection statutes prohibit such behavior and allow for the recovery of damages and attorney fees.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act [“FDCPA”] specifically prevents these abusive debt collection practices.

Violations of the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act regulates debt collection practices. It prohibits debt collection companies from using abusive, unfair or deceptive practices to collect debts from you.

Examples of the types of consumer debt covered by the FDCPA:

  • Mortgages
  • Credit cards debt
  • Medical debts
  • Car loans

Courts measure violations of the FDCPA by an objective standard called the “least sophisticated consumer” standard. See Jeter v Credit Bureau Inc., 754 F.2d 907, 913 (11th Cir., 1985).

FDCPA Restrictions on communications by debt collectors with Consumers when collecting a debt

  • Time and place–debt collectors may not contact you at an unusual time or place. [Generally speaking, they are prohibited from contacting consumers before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.]
  • Harassment- Debt collectors may not harass you over the phone or through any other form of contact.
  • Representation by an attorney- A debt collector may not contact you if a lawyer is representing you.

Examples of FDCPA violations in collections lawsuits

  • Prosecuting a Lawsuit Against A Consumer After the Statute of Limitations Expires

Continuing to prosecute a time-barred claim is a violation of the FDCPA’s prohibition against making false and misleading claims about the debt’s legal status. Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §1692e.

  • False and Misleading Statements About the Amount Owed

It is a violation of the FDCPA’s to file a lawsuit against a consumer for more than is owed. This action is a direct violation of the FDCPA’s prohibition against false or misleading statements. 15 U.S.C. § 1692e.

If you believe that an abusive debt collector has violated your consumer rights, then Diwan Law can help you. Contact us today at 404-635-6883 to learn more.