Archive for October, 2007

The 7th Circuit gives major clarification to collectors under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Gary Nitzkin October 29th, 2007 Comments Off on The 7th Circuit gives major clarification to collectors under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Many commentators believe that the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act creates more questions than it solved when it was passed into law. Kudos to the Seventh Circuit for taking a number of these issues in the case of Evory v RJM Acquistions Funding, LLC decided on October 23, 2007. Evroy is actually a number of […]

Pulling credit bureaus just got even more dangerous

Gary Nitzkin October 25th, 2007 Comments Off on Pulling credit bureaus just got even more dangerous

In order to pull someone’s credit report, the debt collector has to have a federally permissible purpose according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. OK…we all know that. We cannot go spelunking for our ex-girlfriends and such for amusement. As a general rule, it used to be that a collector could pull a credit report […]

Beware…a summons and complaint may be an initial communication under the FDCPA.

Gary Nitzkin October 23rd, 2007 Comments Off on Beware…a summons and complaint may be an initial communication under the FDCPA.

The United States District Court here in the 6th Circuit recently decided Jerman v Carlisle, 502 F Supp 2nd 686 (2007). While this is not an appellate decision, it may very well be a harbinger of the 6th circuit court of appeals’ sentiment may lay with respect to the issue of whether a summons and […]

How to collect a time barred debt without violating Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Gary Nitzkin October 22nd, 2007 Comments Off on How to collect a time barred debt without violating Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Here is an interesting conundrum. Defendant Portfolio Recovery Associates (“PRA”) purchased a time barred debt from Brewer and sent Brewer a “notice” that the debt has been transferred. PRA sent Brewer a letter that states: “Portfolio Recovery Associates purchased the account referenced above [Capital One Bank, balance $ 2,444.20] on 03/22/07. Interest continues to accrue […]

Defense Attorneys – be careful when filing those affirmative defenses

Gary Nitzkin October 14th, 2007 Comments Off on Defense Attorneys – be careful when filing those affirmative defenses

My colleague, Mary Jane Elliot has been sued by Frank Glover for violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. I know Mary Jane. She is a very bright, and very astute individual. I don’t know the facts of this case, but merely want to talk about a recent development in this case that has […]

Collection agencies – when is manipulating your Caller ID signal a violation of FDCPA?

Gary Nitzkin October 14th, 2007 Comments Off on Collection agencies – when is manipulating your Caller ID signal a violation of FDCPA?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA“) prohibits the use of false or deceptive means in the connection with the collection of a debt. So…when Mr. Glover was dunned for a consumer debt and the collection agency that called him had its caller i.d. come up on Glover’s phone as “unavailable” did the agency violate […]