{ "objects": [ { "Title": "Consumer Class Action Lawsuit Benefits Local Consumers And Legal Aid Southeastern", "Slug": "consumer-class-action-lawsuit-benefits-local-consumers-and-legal-aid-southeastern", "Content": "

NARBERTH, PENNSYLVANIA-- Debt collectors were brought to task when a consumer class action lawsuit was filed against Convergent Outsourcing, a Washington state based debt collector, formerly known as ER Solutions, for violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The claim challenged the collection agency for sending letters that revealed the consumer\u2019s personal account information through the window of the mailing envelope. The  federal statute prohibits the use of any language or symbol, other than the debt collector\u2019s address, on any envelope when communicating with the consumer.<\/p>\n

Nationally recognized consumer protection law firm, Flitter Milz, P.C. of Narberth, PA., filed the lawsuit on behalf of about 2,500 Montgomery County consumers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was a first-impression case under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act,\u201d said Cary Flitter, class counsel. \u201cWe didn\u2019t\u2019 think it was right for a collection agency to jeopardize a consumer\u2019s privacy by placing account numbers where they\u2019d be visible through a mailed window envelope.\u201d  <\/p>\n

After a Court of Appeals ruling, a class-wide settlement was reached. Each class member was awarded $100 from the settlement fund. Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP), a legal aid organization which provides legal representation to low-income people in Buck, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties, was the designated recipient of a $70,000 cy pres award, resulting from un-cashed or un-distributable funds from the settlement. \u201cThis result was a win for all consumers in Southeastern Pennsylvania,\u201d said Flitter.  <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\"DouglasCary Flitter, of Flitter Milz, P.C., with client Courtney Douglass, presenting Cy Pres award check to Liz Frisch, Executive Director (left) and Bill Shimer, Managing Attorney (right) of Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania.\n

 <\/p>", "MetaDescription": "NARBERTH, PENNSYLVANIA--\u00a0Debt collectors were brought to task when a consumer class action lawsuit was filed against Convergent Outsourcing, a Washington state\u00a0based debt collector, formerly known as ER Solutions, for violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The claim challenged the collection agency for sending\u00a0letters that revealed the consumer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s personal account information through the window of the mailing envelope.", "publish_date": "1969-12-31 12:00:00" }, { "Title": "43000 Cy Pres Funds Presented Benefit Legal Services", "Slug": "43000-cy-pres-funds-presented-benefit-legal-services", "Content": "

NARBERTH, PENNSYLVANIA -- A class action lawsuit against a credit union over their vehicle repossession practices yielded a settlement valued at over $570,000 for Pennsylvania consumers providing cash, debt forgiveness, and credit report correction. About $43,000 remained after distribution to the class. The court approved payment of these residual funds to North Penn Legal Services, a non-profit organization providing civil legal aid to low-income residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania.  <\/p>\n

Vicky Coyle, Executive Director of North Penn Legal Services, expressed gratitude to Class Counsel Cary L. Flitter of Flitter Milz, P.C. in Montgomery County, PA. \u201cIn our efforts to provide free legal representation to the region\u2019s disadvantaged, these funds will help further our mission to help people in non-criminal matters such as eviction from housing, discrimination, family law, and consumer protection issues.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\"HockenberryVicky Coyle, Executive Director, North Penn Legal Services and Class Counsel, Cary L. Flitter of Flitter Milz, P.C., Narberth, PA.\n

 <\/p>", "MetaDescription": "NARBERTH, PENNSYLVANIA\u00a0--\u00a0A class action lawsuit against a credit union over their vehicle repossession practices\u00a0yielded a settlement valued at over $570,000 for Pennsylvania consumers providing cash, debt forgiveness, and credit report correction. About $43,000 remained after distribution to the class. The court approved payment of these residual funds to North Penn Legal Services, a non-profit organization providing civil legal aid to low-income residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania. \u00a0", "publish_date": "1969-12-31 12:00:00" }, { "Title": "Mid Penn Legal Services Benefits Class Action Cy Pres", "Slug": "mid-penn-legal-services-benefits-class-action-cy-pres", "Content": "

NARBERTH, PENNSYLVANIA -- (January 17, 2017) A recent consumer class action settlement over vehicle repossession practices was approved by the court in Berks County. The settlement is valued at over $2M in cash, debt forgiveness, and credit report correction. Residual funds from uncashed checks were approved to be paid to select beneficiaries including Mid-Penn Legal Services, serving Berks and 17 other counties in central Pennsylvania, who received $47,000 to be used for consumer credit education and advocacy.<\/p>\n

Flitter Milz, P.C. is a leading consumer protection law firm that pursues litigation to help people who have been denied loans, had a vehicle repossessed, been victim to unfair debt collection practices, have problems on credit reports, or receive unwanted calls or text messages on their cell phone. Flitter Milz has been recognized for the pursuit of high profile cases that have made law and benefited consumers nationwide.<\/p>\n\"CaryPictured: MidPenn Legal Reading Office Managing Attorney, Amy Good (center) with Class Counsel, Cary L. Flitter and Michelle L. Reinhart of Flitter Milz, P.C., based in Montgomery County.\n

 <\/p>", "MetaDescription": "NARBERTH, PENNSYLVANIA -- (January 17, 2017) A recent consumer class action settlement over vehicle repossession practices was approved by the court in Berks County. The settlement is valued at over $2M in cash, debt forgiveness, and credit report correction. Residual funds from uncashed checks were approved to be paid to select beneficiaries including Mid-Penn Legal Services, serving Berks and 17 other counties in central Pennsylvania, who received $47,000 to be used for consumer credit education and advocacy.", "publish_date": "2017-01-17 12:00:00" }, { "Title": "Cary L Flitter Esq Awarded 2017 Presidents Award Montgomery Bar Association", "Slug": "cary-l-flitter-esq-awarded-2017-presidents-award-montgomery-bar-association", "Content": "

NARBERTH, PENNSYLVANIA -- (January 13, 2017)  <\/strong> The Montgomery Bar Association has presented Cary L. Flitter, Esq. with the 2017 President's Award for his support of Legal Aid and Access to Justice. The award recognizes pro bono<\/em> efforts and support of the mission of Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania through the award of residual funds from consumer class actions. Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP) is a legal aid organization which provides legal representation to low-income consumers in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.<\/p>\n

Mr. Flitter, of Flitter Milz, P.C. in Narberth, PA, represents consumers, as individuals and in class actions, in disputes with debt collectors, banks and credit bureaus.<\/p>\n

Nearly 300 attorneys, judges and guests were present at the bar association's Annual Business Meeting where the award was presented.<\/p>\n\"CaryPictured: Cary L. Flitter, Esq. (left) Carolyn R. Mirable, Esq., MBA President.\n

 <\/p>", "MetaDescription": "NARBERTH, PENNSYLVANIA -- (January 13, 2017)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The Montgomery Bar Association has presented Cary L. Flitter, Esq. with the 2017 President's Award for his support of Legal Aid and Access to Justice. The award recognizes pro bono efforts and support of the mission of Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania through the award of residual funds from consumer class actions. Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP) is a legal aid organization which provides legal representation to low-income consumers in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.", "publish_date": "2017-01-13 12:00:00" }, { "Title": "Cary Flitter Speaks Consumer Rights Workshops Hosted Mt Airy Usa", "Slug": "cary-flitter-speaks-consumer-rights-workshops-hosted-mt-airy-usa", "Content": "

Cary Flitter spoke on \"Ten Things to Know about Credit Reporting<\/strong>\" at the first in a series of Consumer Rights workshops hosted by Mt. Airy USA<\/a> on Tuesday evening, April 18.<\/p>\n

Cary explained a consumer's rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and steps that can be taken to maintain accuracy and privacy in one's credit reports. Local residents came prepared with questions concerning problems they'd encountered with credit reports, the process of getting credit approvals, and collection contact.<\/p>\n\"Cary

Mt. Airy USA, a non-profit in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, provides financial counseling to individuals in various aspects of consumer credit.<\/p>\n

The second Consumer Rights workshop will be held on Tuesday evening, May 23, when Cary will speak on \"Debt Collection: Common Violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act<\/strong>\".  <\/p>\n

To register, contact Mt. Airy USA at 215-844-6021, Kimberly Henry at khenry@mtairyusa.org, or Dana Frisby at dfrisby@mtairyusa.org.<\/p>", "MetaDescription": "Cary Flitter spoke on \"Ten Things to Know about Credit Reporting\" at the first in a series of Consumer Rights workshops hosted by Mt. Airy USA on Tuesday evening, April 18.Cary explained a consumer's rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and steps that can be taken to maintain accuracy and privacy in\u00a0one's credit reports. Local residents came prepared with questions concerning problems they'd encountered with credit reports, the process of getting credit approvals, and collection contact.", "publish_date": "1969-12-31 12:00:00" }, { "Title": "Cary Flitter Speaks Second Consumer Rights Workshop", "Slug": "cary-flitter-speaks-second-consumer-rights-workshop", "Content": "

Cary Flitter addressed a group of Philadelphia residents at the second workshop on consumer rights hosted by Mt. Airy USA. He spoke about the purpose of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act<\/a>, the federal law that governs debt collection, and specific protections for consumers that become victim to abusive and deceptive collection tactics.  
\n 
\nCary defined who debt collectors are. Sometimes consumers are contacted by collection agencies while other times they\u2019re contacted by collection law firms or debt buyers. He explained the difference and how the movement of collection from creditor to collector can become confusing for consumers.
\n 
\nCary also explained common violations of the law, such as threats of wage garnishment, misrepresented or miscalculated information, and unfair collection practices. He provided examples that resulted in lawsuits against the collector.  A lively question and answer session ensued, and Cary was able to provide informative steps for consumers to take when contacted by a collector.  
\n 
Mt. Airy USA<\/a>, a nonprofit in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, provides financial counseling to individuals in various aspects of consumer credit.
\n 
\nThe last in this series of workshops on consumer rights will be held on June 27 at 6pm at Mt. Airy USA on Germantown Avenue. This session will address \u201cUnderstanding the Legal Process: From Debt, Default, Collection, Judgment and Credit Reporting.\u201d
\n 
\nTo register, contact Mr. Airy USA at 215-844-6021, Kimberly Henry at khenry@mtairyusa.org, or Dana Frisby at dfrisby@mtairyusa.org.<\/p>", "MetaDescription": "Cary Flitter addressed a group of Philadelphia residents at the second workshop on consumer rights hosted by Mt. Airy USA. He spoke about the purpose of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the federal law that governs debt collection, and specific protections for consumers that become victim to abusive and deceptive collection tactics. \u00a0\u00a0", "publish_date": "1969-12-31 12:00:00" }, { "Title": "Cy Pres Recipient Community Legal Services", "Slug": "cy-pres-recipient-community-legal-services", "Content": "

NARBERTH, PENNSYLVANIA<\/strong> -- (July 21, 2017) Community Legal Services<\/a> (CLS), a provider of free civil legal assistance to low-income Philadelphians, was recently designated the recipient of a $30,000 cy pres award. This award resulted from uncashed or non-distributable funds in a consumer class action lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed in the Philadelphia federal court on behalf of Pennsylvania consumers, asserted that collection letters sent by the agency violated the law by misstating the tax implications of settlement. The class action provided a cash award to all class members.<\/p>\n

CLS provides a full range of legal services, from individual representation to administrative advocacy and class action litigation, as well as community education and social work. CLS will direct the funds to continue their work in assisting disadvantaged consumers.<\/p>\n

Flitter Milz, P.C., class counsel, is a leading consumer protection law firm that pursues litigation to help people who have been victim to unfair debt collection practices, had a vehicle repossessed, have credit report errors, or receive unwanted calls or text messages. Flitter Milz has been recognized for the pursuit of high profile cases that have made law and benefited consumers nationwide.<\/p>\n\"CyPictured above (l-r): Community Legal Services attorneys, Peter Schneider, Kerry Smith, Michael Froehlich, head of the Consumer Unit, and Rachel Labush, with Consumer Protection Attorney Cary L. Flitter (center)\n

 <\/p>", "MetaDescription": "NARBERTH, PENNSYLVANIA -- (July 21, 2017)\u00a0Community Legal Services (CLS), a provider of free civil legal assistance to low-income Philadelphians, was recently designated the recipient of a $30,000 cy pres award.\u00a0This award resulted from uncashed or non-distributable\u00a0funds in a consumer class action lawsuit.\u00a0The lawsuit, filed in the Philadelphia federal court on behalf of Pennsylvania consumers, asserted that collection letters sent by the agency violated the law by misstating the tax implications of settlement", "publish_date": "2017-07-21 12:00:00" } ] }