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CFPB Proposes Rule to Define “Larger Participants” It Will Monitor

By: Jeffrey Lapin

On February 16, 2012, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced a proposed rule to identify the debt collectors and consumer reporting agencies will fall within its nonbank supervision program. Before it can began to monitor these entitieis, it has to define who is a “larger participant” within these areas. Currently, debt collectors and credit reporting agencies are not subject to direct federal supervision; the government only gets involved after a violation occurs. […]

By Attorney Jeff Lapin|February 21st, 2012|Blog, Items in the News, Practice Areas, Unfair Debt Collection|

DOT Proposes Guidelines For Automakers To Reduce Driver Distraction

By: Jeffrey Lapin

On February 16, 2012, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Ray LaHood announced the first-ever federally proposed guidelines to encourage automobile manufacturers to limit the distraction risks posed by in-vehicle electronics. The guidelines, which would be voluntary, would apply to most non-commercial vehicles. The goal is to limit the number of injuries and deaths caused by a driver distracted by in-vehicle electronics. […]

By Attorney Jeff Lapin|February 20th, 2012|Blog, Items in the News, Practice Areas, Vehicle Accidents|

FCC Issues New Rules For Telemarketing Robocalls

By: Jeffrey Lapin
FCC’S NEW RULES

On February 15, 2012, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) announced new consumer protections against telemarketing robocalls. A “robocall”, also called an “autodialed call”, is a call which has a pre-recorded message made using an automatic telephone dialing system. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) already places limits on unsolicited prerecorded calls to landline home telephones, and all autodialed or prerecorded calls to wireless numbers. For more information about the TCPA, check out our website here . The FCC’s new rules further restrict robocalls and are intended to make it easier for a consumer to stop receiving them. […]

By Attorney Jeff Lapin|February 16th, 2012|Blog, Items in the News, Practice Areas, Telemarketers|

Lapin Law Offices Turns 3

By: Jeffrey Lapin

Lapin Law Offices is proud to announce that it celebrates its 3rd Anniversary today (December 15).

Lapin Law Offices’ focus, since the beginning, is to represent clients with caring, passion and dedication.

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By Attorney Jeff Lapin|December 15th, 2011|Blog, Firm News and Annoucements|

A Victory for Consumers: H.R. 3035 (The Mobile Informational Caller Act of 2011) Killed By Co-Sponsors

By: Jeffrey Lapin

In a victory for consumers the co-sponsors of H.R. 3035 (The Mobile Information Caller Act of 2011) withdrew the bill from further consideration. The bill would have made significant changes to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the most significant of which would have permitted businesses, including debt collectors, to use automatic telephone dialing systems (auto-dialers; robodialers) to call a person’s cellular telephone regardless of whether the person had given “prior express consent” or even provided their cell phone number to these businesses. Opposition had been growing, both by the public and 48 state Attorneys General. […]

By Attorney Jeff Lapin|December 15th, 2011|Blog, Items in the News, Practice Areas, Unfair Debt Collection|

New Opposition To H.R. 3035 (The Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011)

New opposition has arisen against H.R. 3035, the Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011. Attorney Generals in 48 states signed a letter urging Congress to reject the bill. The proposed Act, among other things, would amend the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) by changing the definition of “prior express consent” and permit debt collectors to use automatic telephone dialing systems (auto-dialers or robo-dialers) to call cellular phones. In previous posts, Proposed Act Would Permit Debt Collectors to Use Auto-Dialers to Call Cellular Telephones and An Update on H.R. 3035 (The Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011) and a Call to Action, H.R. 3035 was discussed, how it will likely effect consumers as well as its current legislative status. […]

By Attorney Jeff Lapin|December 14th, 2011|Blog, Items in the News, Practice Areas, Unfair Debt Collection|

Social Media and Debt Collection: The United States

By: Jeffrey Lapin

Parts 1 and 2 of this Social Media and Debt Collection Series discussed Facebook and Twitter and the recent United Kingdom’s ban against debt collectors using social networking sites. This final Part will discuss the current state of United States’ law, its applicability to social networks and offer some recommendations as to what can be done to protect debtors and still permit debt collectors to collect legitimate debts in a lawful manner. […]

By Attorney Jeff Lapin|December 14th, 2011|Articles and Information, Blog, Practice Areas, Unfair Debt Collection|

Social Media and Debt Collection: Limited in the United Kingdom

By: Jeffrey Lapin

This is Part 2 in a 3-Part Series regarding the use of social networking sites by debt collectors. Part 1 of this Series discussed Facebook and Twitter, two of the most popular social networking sites and services. This Part will discuss the United Kingdom’s Office of Fair Trading recent prohibition against debt collectors using social media sites and services in a way that would or could harass a debtor. […]

By Attorney Jeff Lapin|December 12th, 2011|Articles and Information, Blog, Practice Areas, Unfair Debt Collection|

Social Media and Debt Collection: Facebook and Twitter

By: Jeffrey Lapin

This is Part 1 of a 3 Part Series about the use of social media, sites and services, and debt collection. This Part will discuss Facebook and Twitter, which are two of the most popular social media sites and services. Both provide limited protection to a debtor-user against a debt collector-user by, through their terms and conditions, prohibit harassment or threats. Part 2 will discuss a fairly recent change in the United Kingdom preventing debt collectors from posting debt information or contacting a debtor through a social networking site. Part 3 will discuss current U.S. law. […]

By Attorney Jeff Lapin|December 8th, 2011|Articles and Information, Blog, Practice Areas, Unfair Debt Collection|

Drivers Take Care: Winter Weather Is Almost Here

Winter weather (bitter cold temperatures, snow and ice) is almost here and drivers need to remember to take extra care. Every year it seems that there are more accidents during the first couple of snowstorms as drivers tend to forget how to drive on snow and ice. An earlier post, Drivers Prepare: Winter Weather Is Arriving Soon, discussed how you should know your vehicle functions and features, having your vehicle in good working condition and by preparing a safety kit. This post offers tips and suggestions for driving in winter weather, snow and ice.

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