A federal judge in New Jersey denied a debt collector’s motion to reconsider the Court’s award of summary judgment to a plaintiff for violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. In granting summary judgment, the Court applied the “substantial attorney review” standard to a collection complaint filed in state court. The case is Daniel
FCRA Suits Increase 60% from August to September
According to a litigation statistics report issued by WebRecon LLC, consumer lawsuits alleging violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act increased by nearly 60% in September from the prior month. That increase “keeps it in line with the aggressive growth in recent years.”
FCRA filings increased 58.4% from 351 in August to 556 in September
U.S. Treasury Criticizes Arbitration Rule
On October 23, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released a report objecting to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s arbitration rule. As we previously reported, the rule prevents class action waivers in arbitration provisions for covered entities and also requires covered entities to provide information to the Bureau regarding any efforts to compel arbitration.
District Court Rejects FCRA Class Action Settlement for Lack of Standing
In Robertson v. Allied Solutions, LLC, plaintiff Shameca Robertson brought a class action claim in the Southern District of Indiana against Allied Solutions under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. In the complaint, Robertson asserted two claims against Allied Solutions: (1) that the company failed to provide her with an FCRA-compliant disclosure informing her that
Debt Collector Defeats FDCPA Suit with Bona Fide Error Defense
A federal judge in Utah has ruled that a debt collector may rely on the “bona fide error” defense to defeat a claim for violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1692, et seq. Analyzing the compliance procedures that the debt collector had in place, the Court granted summary judgment for
New York Passes Law Overhauling Process for Sealing Old Felony Convictions
Effective October 7, New York law now authorizes state courts to seal nonviolent criminal convictions that are more than ten years old. The newly enacted New York Criminal Procedure Law § 160.59 allows criminal defendants to apply to seal one felony and one misdemeanor conviction, or two misdemeanor convictions, for offenses other than violent and
CFPB Issues Guidance to Small Businesses on Complying With Rule Banning Class Action Waivers
On July 10, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued its long-awaited final Rule banning class action waivers in arbitration provisions for covered entities, as well as requiring the covered entities to provide information to the CFPB regarding any efforts to compel arbitration. This Rule is of significance to any financial services company that utilizes consumer
No Vacancy – Court Denies Class Certification in FCRA Case Against Hyatt
On March 13, 2017, Carlos Guarisma filed a class action complaint against Hyatt Equities, alleging violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The complaint alleges that Hyatt printed more than the last five digits of customers’ credit card numbers on hotel receipts. Guarisma sought to represent a class of Hyatt hotel guests. This
U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Other Business Associations Sue to Overturn Ban on Class Action Waivers
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to invalidate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Rule banning class action waivers in arbitration provisions contained in financial institutions’ contracts with consumers. Compliance with the Rule would be required beginning March 19, 2018. The lawsuit was filed in the United
District of New Jersey Judge Allows Consumer’s 1099C Disclosure Case to Continue
On September 28, 2017, the District of New Jersey denied a debt collector’s motion to dismiss a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”) claim based on 1099C language contained in a collection letter. This decision continues a recent trend, particularly within the courts of the Third Circuit, in denying motions to dismiss on this issue.