Violations of the FDCPA
The FDCPA 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
Tag Archive for: fdcpa
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.
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.
Consumer Rights Attorney: Violations of the FDCPA
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.
