Articles and Information
2011 Consumer Complaint Survey Report Released
By: Jeffrey Lapin
The Consumer Federation of America (CFA), with assistance from the North American Consumer Protection Investigators (NACPI), has issued its 2011 Consumer Complaint Survey Report, which, among other things, lists the top 10, actually 12, consumer complaints from 2011. In addition, the Report identifies the fastest growing complaints, worst complaints, and newer types of consumer problems. Finally, it offers suggestions for new consumer protection laws and tips for consumers for dealing with many of these consumer problems. […]
CFPB Launches Consumer Complaint Database
By: Jeffrey Lapin
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) launched a Consumer Complaint Database that will provide basic information about complaints made against credit card companies. This is the first time this type of data is available to the public without the filing of a Freedom of Information request. The Database is located on the CFPB’s website, Consumer Complaint Database, which is available to view now.
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Protect a Deceased Relative from Identity Theft
By: Jeffrey Lapin
Dealing with the death of a relative is hard enough. Family members do not need the additional stress of having to deal with having the identity of their deceased relative stolen. Remember, family members are not responsible for the debts of their deceased relatives, unless they had specifically agreed to be. In addition, the estate of the deceased is not responsible for these types of fraudulent debts. […]
Computer System Used To Underpay Injury Claims
By: Jeffrey Lapin
A new report issued by the Consumer Federation of America (“CFA”), Low Ball: An Insider’s Look at How Some Insurers Can Manipulate Computerized Systems to Broadly Underpay Injury Claims, details how major car insurance companies are using computers systems, primarily Colossus, to underpay injury claims. One of the authors of the Report, Mark Romano, the CFA’s Director of Insurance Claims Projects, was formerly Allstate’s “Colossus Subject Matter Expert,” the top expert for Allstate’s computerized claims system. Allstate, and other insurers using these types of systems to evaluate claims, use a variety of tactics to lower the amount of money offered to injured persons. This post will discuss Colossus, how it is manipulated to underpay injured people and what regulators can do to ensure fair settlement offers. […]
Debts Owed By Deceased Relatives: Do Not Pay
By: Jeffrey Lapin
Collecting on debts of the deceased has become a very profitable area in the debt collections industry. Using tactics and practices created specifically to convince anguished family members to pay, some of these debt collectors will stop at nothing to get money even breaking the law. In almost all circumstances you are not personally liable for the debts of a deceased relative despite what you might be told by a debt collector. This post will not cover which debts may be owed by the deceased’s estate, which would be paid through the probate process. Rather, I will discuss your individual liability for the debts of a deceased spouse, parent, child or other relative and what you should do if contacted by a debt collector trying to collect a debt owed by them. […]
Arbitration Clauses Favor Companies Over Consumers
Approximately one year ago, the United States Supreme Court in AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion, upheld forced arbitration clauses and prohibited consumers from pursuing many claims in class action lawsuits. A recent article finds that consumers are disadvantaged by forced arbitration clauses. Companies, not consumers, benefit when disputes are arbitrated rather than litigated and decided by a judge or jury. […]
Consumers: 11 Ways To Protect Yourself From Scams
By: Jeffrey Lapin
Consumers beware: scammers are lurking everywhere trying to separate you from your money or to steal your identity. With some simple precautions you can prevent yourself from being their next victim. Below are 11 ways you can protect yourself. […]
Consumers: Beware Of Scams
By: Jeffrey Lapin
Consumers beware: scammers are working overtime to separate you from your money and identity. Their techniques are becoming more sophisticated as many consumers have become more wary. Not only are scammers targeting your money they are also trying to steal your identity, which can be more profitable than just getting a single payment from you. These scams are taking place by telephone, online, email, text and regular mail. […]
Did You Know There is No General Duty to Help Others?
By: Jeffrey Lapin
Generally, no person has a duty to help another in need. Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy noted this during oral arguments on President Obama’s healthcare law on March 27, 2012 and added that while this may seem immoral or wrong, it is the law and has been for a long time. There are a few exceptions to this general rule, which are primarily related to a person’s job in relation to a victim. This post will discuss the duty of private citizens to help another in need. It will not wade into the question of the government’s duty especially those issues involving the President Obama’s Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare). […]
Protect Yourself Against Phantom Debt Collectors
By: Jeffrey Lapin
Lapin Law Offices urges consumers to protect themselves against phantom debt collectors. A phantom debt collector is a “debt collector” who attempts to collect on a debt that never existed or that you do not legally owe. They may also be known as “fake debt collectors” or “false debt collectors.. As we recently posted, the FTC filed a lawsuit against phantom debt collectors who allegedly collected over $5 million dollars from U.S. consumers. In that case, the alleged phantom debt collectors obtained information about people when they applied for online payday loans. The people who paid these phantom debt collectors did do based on threats of lawsuits, going to jail or the loss of their job. […]
