We hope the articles below help you understand your rights as a consumer. You can scroll through the titles, or sort by Practice Area or Topic. You can also use the search feature to locate information by keyword.
Flitter Milz represents people with a variety of problems involving consumer credit and collections. If you have a particular question or believe your consumer rights have been violated, Contact Us for a no cost consultation.
Before any major purchase, it’s important to do some research to make sure you stay within your budget and get the most for your money… and cars are no exception. A new vehicle is a large expense and requires some planning. This is especially true if you choose to secure an auto loan to make it more affordable. Here are some steps you should take before you finance an auto loan.
Continue reading 8 Things To Do When Buying a Car →
Many people find themselves in debt at some point in their lives, whether it’s from student loans, credit cards, medical expenses, divorce, personal loans, or other types of accounts. Here are some common questions you may have about debt.
An unpaid debt never truly goes away. After seven years, it will no longer appear on your credit report, meaning you may see an improvement in your overall credit standing. Negative marks are removed from your report after seven years while accounts that are in good standing remain forever.
Collectors can continue to collect on debts even after the listing has been removed from the credit report. Some states have a statute of limitations on debt collection. If the statute of limitation has passed, the creditor can no longer get a judgment against you. However, an unpaid debt is always owed until it’s paid in full.
Many people have difficulty making bill payments at some point or another. If you can’t afford the minimum payment on your account, don’t just skip the payment that month. Skipping a payment will make it even more difficult to catch up the following month. Creditors can also report late or missing payments to the credit bureaus, meaning your credit will take a hit.
If you can’t afford to pay your bill, contact your creditor to see what your options are. Some creditors may extend the due date or waive the late fee. If you can’t work something out with the creditor, do your best to make up the missed payment as soon as possible, including any late fees.
There are limits as to what a creditor can and can’t repossess when you’re behind on your payments. In some loan agreements, property or possessions are listed as collateral in the terms of the loan. This means that the creditor can repossess the property or possession if you don’t meet the loan agreement’s requirements. The most common types of collateral are vehicles in auto loan agreements or homes in mortgage agreements.
If you have credit card debt, the creditor can’t repossess the items that you purchased with credit. However, a creditor can sue you to recover money if there is no collateral listed in the agreement.
Whether or not you’re responsible for your spouse’s debt depends on the state you live in. In community property states, both spouses are responsible if the debt occurs during the marriage. In common law states, each individual spouse is generally responsible for his or her own debt.
Everything a person owns at the time of his or her death is referred to as their estate. The assets of the estate are used to pay off any debts. If the assets of the estate aren’t enough to cover the debts, a family member may become financially responsible depending on the type of debt.
Flitter Milz is a nationally recognized consumer protection law firm that represents victims of abusive collection tactics. Contact us for a free legal evaluation to determine whether your consumer rights have been violated.
It’s the season for gift giving, and that means extra spending. Credit cards can be a convenient way to purchase gifts for family and friends, but it’s important to stay organized and make sure you have a plan to pay them off. Take these steps before you do your shopping to ensure that you’re prepared.
Your credit report provides the best summary of your overall financial standing. Your report will list all of your credit accounts, loans, and credit inquiries and will also list any delinquencies. To get a copy of your credit report, write to the credit bureaus – TransUnion, Experian, or Equifax – and include two forms of identification such as a current driver’s license and utility bill. You can get a free copy of your report from each of the bureaus every 12 months.
You may also want to check your credit score. This information will give you an idea of your overall financial standing and will alert you to any areas that could be improved. If your score is lower due to late payments or a lot of spending on credit accounts, you may choose to adjust your spending to fit your budget.
Now that you know the credit limits on each of your accounts, try to avoid spending more than 30% of your available credit on each of them. For example, if you have a credit card with a limit of $1,000, you should do your best to avoid spending more than $300. Your credit utilization factors into your credit score, so spending more than 30% of your available credit could lower your score.
Set a budget for each of your cards to avoid overspending. This will also make it easier and more manageable when it comes time to pay them off.
Set reminders to pay off credit accounts in full and on time. Carrying a balance in to the next month will mean paying more in interest fees. Your budgets will help you stay on track and help ensure that you’re always able to make your bill payments.
Taking the time to prepare your credit accounts for holiday spending will allow you to enjoy the season without extra financial stress and will set you up for success in the new year.
Flitter Milz is a nationally recognized consumer protection law firm that represents consumers who have been contacted by debt collectors, or that have issues with listings that appear on credit reports. Contact Us for a free evaluation of whether your consumer rights have been violated.
The holidays are a busy time of year. Many people have difficulty staying on track with spending or forget that scammers may take advantage of the busy season. Follow these tips to stay financially responsible and to avoid common shopping scams that occur this time of year.
It can be easy to overspend when you’re buying gifts for others during the holiday season. Before you make your shopping list, create a budget for how much you can afford to spend this year and do your best to stick to it. If your budget is tight, consider gifts like baked goods or homemade items.
If you plan to use a credit card for your holiday spending, make sure to pay off your balance in full and on time. Carrying a balance over from month to month means that you’ll end up paying more for all of your gifts because of the interest that accrues on your account.
If you shop online, use different passwords for each of your accounts and make sure they’re strong and secure. Use a password storing tool so that you don’t have to worry about remembering them all. These accounts include your credit card information and billing information, so it’s important to keep them safe.
Unfortunately, the holidays are a popular time for new scams to pop up. Scammers take advantage of the busy season and use the opportunity to create fake products or to steal identities. If the price of an online item seems too good to be true, it probably is. You should always verify that you’re purchasing from a valid website and that the payment portal is secure before you buy anything.
It’s important to remember not to leave personal documents or identifying information in easily accessible places or in plain sight in your vehicle, especially when parked in a busy shopping lot. Criminals could use this opportunity to steal your information. You also shouldn’t carry personal information, like your social security card, in your wallet or purse.
Always keep your belongings, like shopping bags, purse, or wallet, on your person when you’re holiday shopping. Busy stores or restaurants can provide an opportunity for someone to take your things unnoticed. Keep shopping bags in the trunk of your vehicle so they’re hidden from view.
Identity theft victims may need help from a consumer lawyer when collectors begin to call, or there are listings on credit reports that are a result of the theft. Flitter Milz is a nationally recognized consumer protection law firm that represents consumers against debt collectors and the credit bureaus. Contact Us for a free evaluation of whether your consumer rights were violated.
If you’re going through financial hardship or a difficult life event, it can be challenging to keep up with your car loan payments. Your vehicle is collateral, or your pledge to a lender that you’ll repay the loan. If you default on the terms of your loan agreement, the lender may choose to repossess your vehicle. They’re not required to contact you before the repossession.
If your car was recently repossessed, you may be wondering what happens next. Do you still owe the payments that you missed on your loan? Do you still owe the full balance after your car is sold?
Continue reading Do I Still Owe Money After My Car was Repossessed? →
Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal or financial information without your permission. It can damage your credit status and ability to utilize credit. If you suspect someone has stolen your identity, it’s important to take action immediately. The consequences can be disastrous, but following these steps will help secure your information and prevent your credit from getting tarnished by someone else’s actions.
Most Common forms of Identity Theft
– Account Takeover Fraud
– Debit Card Fraud or Credit Card Fraud
– Driver’s License Identity Theft
– Mail Identity Theft
– Online Shopping Fraud
– Social Security Number Identity Theft
– Senior Citizen Identity Theft and Scams
– Child Identity Theft
File a Police Report with the local police department and request a copy of the report for your files. A copy of the police report must accompany all disputes to the bank and or creditor.
When you discover suspicious charges or withdrawals on an account, immediately contact the bank or creditor and inform them that the charges were not made by you. Follow up the call with a letter confirming specific details of the issue. Keep a copy of all correspondence for your files.
Identity Theft must be reported to the Federal Trade Commission through submission of an Identity Theft Affidavit. This form must be completed and signed in the presence of a law enforcement officer, then submitted to the Federal Trade Commission.
For an Identity Theft Affidavit:
CALL: FTC Identity Theft Hotline
877-ID-THEFT or (877-438-4338)
ONLINE: identitytheft.gov
Retain a copy of your submitted affidavit.
After discovering suspicious activity on a credit card or bank account statement, contact the three main credit bureaus – Transunion, Experian and Equifax – to place a fraud alert on your credit file.
A fraud alert letter, accompanied by the police report, notifies the credit bureaus that you’re a victim of identity theft. Afterwards, the bureaus must confirm with you any new applications for accounts before authorizing approval. Fraud alerts remain on credit files for 90
days and are free to the consumer.
Request a copy of your credit report directly from each of the three main bureaus — Transunion, Experian and Equifax. Review each report for listings of accounts or entries that do not belong to you or that you don’t recognize.
After review of your credit reports and identification of accounts that do not belong to you, a Blocking Letter should be sent to the credit bureau. The Blocking Letter confirms:
– You are an identity theft victim
– Suspicious or unrecognizable accounts.
– Accounts blocked from all future transactions or charges.
A Blocking Letter must include a copy of the police report filed, a current copy of your credit report with unrecognizable items circled, and a copy of your Fraud Alert Letter sent to the credit bureau.
Organize your files with all information related to the identity theft. As each case of identity theft is unique, it can take months, or even years to untangle the fraud and restore your credit.
Documents must be readily accessible Maintain files that are categorized by police records, credit bureaus, banks, and creditors. Assemble all correspondence, statements, phone logs, photographs, and notes for easy access and reference for future correspondence.
Minimize the risk of identity theft for the future.
Flitter Milz is a consumer protection law firm representing victims of credit reporting errors and privacy violations and contact from abusive collection tactics which stem from identity theft.
If you have become a victim of identity theft and notice errors on your credit report, or have received calls or letters from debt collectors, Contact Us for a free consultation. Our attorneys will evaluate whether your consumer rights have been violated. Pictured above:
Attorneys Cary Flitter (center), Andy Milz (left), Jody López-Jacobs (right)
If you hear the term “credit invisible” it means that you may not have credit files with the nationwide credit reporting agencies — Transunion, Experian and Equifax — or that the information that exists on your credit reports is very limited.
Credit invisibility doesn’t only apply to young individuals who haven’t built up their history yet. It can also apply to older individuals who have stopped using credit, or to Americans who live abroad and don’t keep their U.S. credit accounts active.
Credit invisibility can be detrimental for a number of reasons. Lacking credit history can make it difficult or impossible to secure new lines of credit. This means you may not be able to get a loan for the house or car you want, or open a new credit card account. It could also make it more difficult for you to rent an apartment or get hired for a job.
Stay up to date with your credit standing by checking your report regularly. Consumers may obtain credit reports from Transunion, Experian, and Equifax every twelve months for free. We recommend that you request your reports from the credit bureaus in writing and have them mailed to you. You should enclose two forms of identification, such as a current driver’s license and utility bill, with your request. Once you have your reports, review your information to make sure that all of your information is accurate.
Flitter Milz is a nationally-recognized consumer protection law firm that represents victims of inaccurate credit report listings. Contact us for a free legal evaluation of errors that appear on your report.
Checking your report regularly is the best way to ensure that your finances are healthy and that your overall credit remains in good standing. Poor credit can negatively affect your life in many ways. You can request your credit report by mail or online at annualcreditreport.com.
Individuals with lower credit scores and negative listings on their credit report will incur higher interest rates on new lines of credit.
Poor credit can also result in loan application denial. Lenders will view you as a high risk borrower and are less likely to approve your application. This could mean you’ll have more difficulty purchasing a home or vehicle.
It’s becoming more common for potential employers to check an applicant’s credit before making a final hiring decision. This is especially common for jobs within banking and financial services, government, or jobs that require security clearance. Employment screening reports are also often used for trucking, nursing, food, and retail positions. Employers are required to provide you with report details if you’re denied a position as a result of the report.
A lower credit score is likely to make it more difficult to rent an apartment. Landlords want to see that you can make payments on time. Poor credit can be a red flag that makes them less likely to rent to you.
A person with lower credit may experience higher utility bills than someone whose credit is in good standing. It can also make it more difficult to negotiate a cell phone contract, or result in a more expensive contract.
Negative credit listings are typically the result of late payments or accounts in default. When someone doesn’t make payments for 60 to 90 days, the account may be sent to a debt collector. Debt collection contact can be overwhelming and intimidating and can add stress to your financial situation.
Flitter Milz is a nationally recognized consumer protection law firm that represents victims with credit reporting privacy and accuracy problems. Contact Us for a free legal evaluation of credit report errors.
Vehicle repossession is inconvenient and worrisome, but it is possible to get your car back. After the repossession agent comes, the lender is to send the borrower a repossession notice, frequently called a Notice of Intent to Sell Property. This notice will inform the borrower of terms to get the vehicle back. Sometimes the lender will demand a full loan payoff, while other times, past due payments may be accepted. This notice informs the borrower of the vehicle’s location, the cost of repossession and any storage charges. The borrower usually has 30 days to arrange for retrieval of any personal property from the repo lot.
Continue reading How Do I Get My Repossessed Car Back in Pennsylvania? →
It’s hard to argue with the convenience of a credit card. Credit provides you with flexibility when it comes to spending. Your card is always available to use regardless of when you expect your next paycheck. Owning a credit card and making timely payments also helps your credit because it shows lenders that you’re a trustworthy and responsible borrower.
It’s important to establish responsible spending habits early so that you don’t find yourself with significant amounts of debt later in life. Carrying a balance each month can make it difficult to stay on top of payments. Here are some credit spending tips that you should practice now to keep your finances healthy for your future.
The perk of using a credit card is having the ability to spend money you may not necessarily have at the moment. But this can be a dangerous. It can lead to spending above your means. Create a reasonable spending budget for your card to ensure that you don’t overspend.
Carrying a balance from month to month like so many consumers do isn’t ideal. Many cards have high interest rates, which make it even more difficult to keep up with payments every month. Set a goal to pay your balance in full and on time each month so that you don’t end up paying exorbitant late fees and interest.
It’s never a good idea to max out a credit card. Your credit utilization plays a major factor in your credit score. Ideally, you don’t want to spend more than 30% of your credit limit. This means if you have a $1,000 credit limit on a card, you shouldn’t spend more than $300. If you have a higher budget and want to use your card more, pay the existing balance before it’s due to bring your available credit back to its full amount.
When you shop around for a new credit card, look for ones with lower interest rates, no annual fees, and useful perks. Many cards offer cash back on any amount that you spend with your card. Others offer travel perks like airline miles.
Get control over credit card debt as soon as possible. Making minimum payments will mean paying excessive amounts of interest over time and can make you feel as if you’ll never get out of debt. Cut your spending wherever you can so that you can focus on paying off your debt as quickly as possible.
Flitter Milz is a nationally recognized consumer protection law firm that represents victims of abusive collection tactics, credit reporting accuracy and privacy issues and wrongful vehicle repossessions. Contact Us with your consumer credit concerns. There is no cost for the consultation.