When we begin reviewing a client’s file for bankruptcy purposes we always review their credit report. When we ask clients if they’ve pulled their own credit they often say no due to the fact that it’s the last thing they want to spend their money on. However, what many of them don’t know is that they are entitled to one free credit report a year. That’s right, a FREE credit report courtesy of the federal government. Vist www.ftc.gov/freereports to find out more about this benefit. Or, go directly to the website that the government offers the report through at www.annualcreditreport.com. …

Unfortunately, if you have been late on your bills, it is likely that you have been placed into collections. Many times, your financial hardship has been the primary reason for your past due bills, and you’re not alone – according the recent Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit by the Federal Reserve of New York, in 2011, 14% of consumers were in third-party collections with $1,400 as the average collection amount. Perhaps you have lost your job or maybe you have suffered an injury or have a condition and are also late on your medical bills. In any matter, …

The Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, also known as RFDCPA, is the California statutory counterpartto the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.  Both the FDCPA and RFDCPA regulate how debt collectors can and cannot collect consumer debt. For example, under both statutes, debt collectors are prohibited from threatening to have you arrested or with very narrow exceptions, contact third parties regarding your debt. However, there are some crucial distinctions between the FDCPA and RFDCPA.  One important difference is that the RFDCPA does not only regulate third-party debt collectors (i.e. those who purchase defaulted debt from an original creditor) but extends its protection to original creditors (i.e. American Express, Discover).  By contrast, the FDCPA applies only to third-party debt collectors.  In addition, while the FDCPA applies to attorneys, the RFDCPA does not.  Thus, claims against an abusive …

After a hard, stressful day at work, you decide to go to bed early. 11:00 p.m. comes around and you are suddenly awoken by telephone calls from numbers you do not recognize. Under the FDCPA, it is unlawful for a debt collector to contact you before 8:00 AM and after 9:00 PM, local time at your location. A debt collector, by law, is NOT allowed to do this. A debt collector is allowed to contact you by telephone but ONLY at reasonable times. If a debt collector does contact you at a permissible time, the communication may still be unlawful. …

Are You Receiving Fake Debt Collector Calls From India? Are You Being Threatened by Debt Collectors Claiming to be Law Enforcement Agents? We Will Help You! On February 13, 2012, the Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint and request for a temporary restraining order against Villa Park, California-based American Credit Crunchers, LLC, an affiliated company called Ebreeze, LLC, and the companies’ owners, with violating the FTC Act and the FDCPA. The FTC alleged that these companies obtained information, including Social Security or bank account numbers, from consumers who had inquired about, applied for, or obtained online payday loans. These companies …

Creditors, that is! After an individual filed bankruptcy creditors should stop contacting the debtor. But once the bankruptcy has been discharged, the creditors are no longer legally allowed to attempt to collect on the debt. So your bankruptcy petition was granted and your debts were discharged months ago, but that pesky creditor keeps calling. Did your lawyer mess up and forget to include them? Mostly likely the answer to that question is, No, your lawyer didn’t screw up. It is very possible that even after a bankruptcy has been discharged, creditors will still attempt to harass you to collect on …

You’ve just spent significant years of your life in the confines of the library, extremely late and sometimes even sleepless nights with your books, exam after exam, and you are finally done! It’s time to hit the job market and find your place in corporate America; it’s time to start paying back those outrageous student loans, but…….the collection calls are haunting you!! Don’t wait any longer! If a debt collector has violated your rights, you could be entitled to up to $1000 in damages as a penalty to the collector, plus payment of your attorneys’ fees! Note the following lawsuit …

The Manning Law Office is a law firm specializing in foreclosure prevention, servicing Orange County and all of California. We are a fully-staffed office with experienced real estate attorneys and paralegals ready to handle your case and save your home. At the Manning Law Office, we understand the economic hardships that have been endured by Americans during our nation’s economic crisis and realize that everyone deserves a chance at protecting their most valuable asset – their home. You can feel assured that our foreclosure lawyers can help you through your most difficult times. Our lender litigation attorneys at the Manning …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Manning Law Office Announces Investigation of Seventh Avenue Online Catalog for Unfair Debt Collection practices The Manning Law Office has initiated an investigation of the Seventh Avenue Online Catalog and its family of catalog brands for alleged abusive debt collection practices directed against its clients when they fall behind on payments to the Seventh Avenue Online Catalog and its family of catalog brands, in some cases after only a few days delinquency. The Seventh Avenue Online Catalog and its family of catalog brands include: Ginny’s (housewares), GrandPointe (fine apparel and furnishings), Midnight Velvet (sophisticated apparel and accessories), …

In our previous blog entries, we briefly overviewed what the HAMP was and some common eligibility issues that can arise when applying for one. If you have been denied a loan modification through the HAMP, a “traditional” loan modification is your next best choice. But what is the difference between a loan modification through HAMP and a traditional loan modification? The HAMP (Home Affordable Modification Program) is a President Obama’s program that allows troubled homeowners (like those facing foreclosure) relief. It allows homeowners to reduce their monthly mortgage payments to 31% of their pre-taxed income by means of a loan …