Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
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.
Tag Archive for: Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Cooling & Winter, LLC, Debt Collection Attorneys
What is Cooling & Winter, LLC?
Cooling and Winter is a southeast regional debt collection law firm based out of Atlanta, Georgia. The firm represents national banks, credit card issuers, student loan issuers, debt buyers, and financial institutions.
It is considered a debt collector under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Under the FDCPA, a debt collector is a person or a company that regularly collects past-due debts owed to others.
Why is Cooling and Winter Contacting Me?
If Cooling and Winter is contacting you, you most likely owe a debt to either a credit card company or a debt collector.
These debt collection calls and letters are very stressful because they are attempting to collect a debt and are either threatening to sue, in the process of suing you, or have already sued you.
What to do if they file a lawsuit against me?
If Cooling and Winter serves you, you need to promptly respond to the credit card or debt buyer lawsuit.
If you do not respond to the summons, Cooling and Winter will obtain may obtain a default judgment.
Can Cooling and Winter Garnish my Wages?
If a debt buyer or creditor retains a law firm, they have every intention to collect on a debt.
Armed with the judgment, the creditor can garnish your wages and bank accounts.
How can I stop a Cooling and Winter Wage or Bank Garnishment?
If you are being sued or garnished by a debt collector, contact Diwan Law immediately.
We have the knowledge and experience to defend you in every aspect of your case.
Diwan Law will assert all viable defenses you may have, file the appropriate motions, and negotiate with the creditor to prevent the creditor from garnishing you.
Conclusion
If Cooling and Winter 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 dedicated to getting our clients the best result possible.
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
- Suits stemming from automobile repossession deficiencies, apartment leases, and other contract-related matters;
- Dormant judgment revival; and
- Garnishment actions on bank accounts or wages.
Diwan Law Handles Cases in:
Gwinnett County State Court; Dekalb County State Court; Cobb County State Court; Fulton County State Court; Henry County State Court; and most other state courts in Georgia.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, Debt Collection
What is Portfolio Recovery Associates?
Portfolio Recovery Associates also know as PRA Portfolio Recovery or PRA is one of the largest debt collection companies in the world.
This collection agency specializes in buying old debt from companies and trying to collect on it. With most cases involving charged-off debt, they can buy it for extremely cheap.
Is Portfolio Recovery Associates a Scam?
Portfolio Recovery is a real collection agency.
Like other debt collectors, Portfolio Recovery often goes straight into litigation without first informing you that they are attempting to collect a debt. This is in an attempt to get you to pay your debt faster or face the repercussions.
Are you being sued by Portfolio Recovery?
If you are served with a summons from PRA, you need to respond quickly.
If you fail to respond to the lawsuit, Portfolio Recovery may be able to obtain a default judgment against you.
Armed with the default judgment, the debt collection company can garnish your wages and bank accounts.
Before accepting a PRA judgment, speak with a debt defense attorney. A collections defense lawyer 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.
Are you being harassed by Portfolio Recovery?
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act [FDCPA], debt collection companies such as Portfolio Recovery Associates cannot take the following actions when attempting to collect a debt:
- Contact anybody who is not the main person that owes the debt;
- Threaten to refer to a lawyer, harm of credit, or wage or bank garnishment without the actual intent to act on the threat
- Contacting you at “unreasonable times,” such as before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM;
- Contacting your employer;
- Use profane or obscene language during calls;
- Sending collection letters that appear to be from a court or government agency;
- Threaten to arrest you if you do not pay the debt
Contact Diwan Law
We are experienced in debt collection law and have an established record of protecting consumer’s rights. 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.
No FDCPA Violation Exists If Offer Fails to Disclose Interest
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.
