Archive for December, 2009

The FDCPA Bona Error Defense goes before the Supreme Court early next year

Gary Nitzkin December 15th, 2009 Comments Off on The FDCPA Bona Error Defense goes before the Supreme Court early next year

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a federal statute that governs every debt collector involved in collecting debts related to personal, home or consumer items. In 1995, the United States Supreme Court in Heinz v Jenkins, made clear that the FDCPA applies to attorneys as well. The FDCPA contains a defense to debt collectors […]

Collection agency posing as prosecuting attorney gets caught and pays $2.55 million

Gary Nitzkin December 14th, 2009 Comments Off on Collection agency posing as prosecuting attorney gets caught and pays $2.55 million

Some states have a bad check diversion program that is designed to facilitate the payment of bad checks to merchant victims. These programs usually involve a district attorney and sometimes even, a private collection agency. The idea behind these programs is to give the bad check writers a chance to make their bounced checks good […]

Nice try, but I know about scams already

Gary Nitzkin December 9th, 2009 Comments Off on Nice try, but I know about scams already

Last week I received a call from an “attorney” calling himself David Cook, from Ontario. He asked if I was interested in collecting a $500,000 case against a local steel company. Of course I am interested! But, I don’t like pursuing a debtor without knowing my client or the forwarding attorney involved. So I decided […]

Attorneys beware of Internet con

Gary Nitzkin December 9th, 2009 Comments Off on Attorneys beware of Internet con

I receive a funky email at least three times a week stating: a. We, of the Xio Shung (or some other Chinese sounding name) corporation have decided that we need your legal services to represent us in North America….. or b. After a careful review of your credentials, we have decided to retain your legal […]

Angry judge cancels mortgage debt owed by couple

Gary Nitzkin December 4th, 2009 Comments Off on Angry judge cancels mortgage debt owed by couple

A Long Island couple who were in foreclosure, recently had their debt canceled by an angry judge. They now own their home free and clear. The New York Post reported that Judge Jeffrey Spinner wiped out the $525,000 debt that the couple owed to OneWest Bank. Kieran Crowley, from the New York Post reported Mr. […]