On September 29, the Eleventh Circuit issued its highly anticipated decision in Mais v. Gulf Coast Collection Bureau, Inc., overturning the district court’s prior holding and providing defense-favorable law on prior express consent. The decision was in response to an unprecedented May 2013 ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of
Financial Services Trade Groups File Brief on Hotly Debated TILA Issue Before Supreme Court
The American Bankers Association, American Financial Services Association, Consumer Bankers Association, Consumer Mortgage Coalition, Independent Community Bankers of America, and Mortgage Bankers Association (the “Trade Groups”) have filed a brief as amici curae in support of the respondents in an appeal before the Supreme Court of the United States that involves a Truth in Lending
National Association of Professional Background Screeners 2014 Annual Conference
On October 19-21, 2014, in Denver, CO, the National Association of Professional Background Screeners is hosting their 2014 Annual Conference.
The conference offers a diverse range of educational sessions ensuring that there’s something for the industry novice, the seasoned expert and everyone in between. Every attendee will be able to take away valuable information and
Federal Judge Freezes Law Firm Assets in Multi-State Mortgage Rescue Scam Case
On September 24, U.S. District Judge James S. Moody, Jr., of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, issued a preliminary injunction against several law firms accused by the attorneys general of Connecticut and Florida of charging illegal upfront fees to distressed homeowners in a mortgage rescue scam.
Judge Moody agreed that
Sixth Circuit Upholds Court Order Against Telemarketers’ Deceptive Debt Relief Programs
The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has issued a decision upholding a district court ruling that several defendants based in the U.S. and Canada deceived consumers through a telemarketing scheme designed to sell them phony mortgage assistance and debt relief programs, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
The Court’s decision
CFPB Announces Project Catalyst Research Initiative on Credit Counseling
On September 25, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced a Project Catalyst research pilot to examine the effectiveness of early intervention credit counseling for consumers who are at risk of default on their credit card debt. The project is aimed at exploring ways to help consumers better manage their credit card debt and avoid default.
New Debt Collection Rules Announced for New York State Courts
New York Court administrators recently announced new rules impacting cases involving debt collector-plaintiffs with certain debt claims against consumers. As we discussed on May 7th when the proposed rules were announced, the new rules place a higher burden of proof on debt collector-plaintiffs to establish chain of title and that they actually own the debt
Minnesota Federal Court Allows Class Action Involving Money-Saving Memberships to Proceed
On September 24, a federal judge in Minnesota declined to dismiss a proposed class action alleging that Sempris LLC (“Sempris”) sold “memberships” in supposed money-saving programs that instead resulted in illegal, unauthorized monthly credit card charges.
The plaintiff, a Georgia resident, alleges Sempris, which operates “membership loyalty programs” that offer discounts and coupons, was responsible
Federal Court Affirms Debt Collector’s Right to Collect Pre-Judgment Statutory Interest After Charge-Off by Original Creditor
On September 18, in Peters v. Financial Recovery Services, Inc., the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri held that neither the federal Truth in Lending Act (TILA) nor the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibit a debt collector from charging state statutory pre-judgment interest after charge-off. In reaching that
Trade Association Responds to Louisiana Attorney General’s Lawsuit Aimed at Limiting Use of Recycled Parts in Auto Repairs
The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) sent a letter to Louisiana Attorney General James D. “Buddy” Caldwell this past week to dispute statements made by the Attorney General about a recent lawsuit filed against State Farm Insurance, which called into question State Farm’s practice of encouraging repair shops to use recycled parts when repairing damaged vehicles.