Watts Law Group P.C. & M. Stan Herring P.C.
Alabama Consumer Protection Lawyers
Phone: 205-879-2447 or 205-714-4443
Congress has enacted specific laws to protect consumers. This Website is designed to help you understand some of those laws so that you can make informed decisions, as well as seek legal representation if your rights are being violated.
At Watts Law Group P.C. and M. Stan Herring P.C., we are focused helping victims of unfair credit reporting, creditor harassment, unfair debt collection practices, and identity theft. Our aim is to provide Birmingham consumers with a broader array of information concerning consumer protection laws, which include the following:
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) regulates the activities of collection agencies. It specifies the times they may call, what they may and may not say and do, and their overall conduct in attempting to collect a debt. In general, debt collectors cannot threaten you with repossession or garnishment without a judgment, call late at night or early morning, and cannot contact family members or co-workers. The debt collection affects your credit report, but you still have the right to dispute.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulates the activities of credit reporting agencies and is designed to protect consumers from inaccurate credit reporting. According to a Consumer Reports article, about 70 percent of all credit reports contain errors. In some cases, these errors are the result of identity theft.
There are certain steps that must be taken to correct these errors, including notifying the credit reporting agency (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) of the discrepancy and showing proof of the error.
State lemon laws protect car owners whose new cars repeatedly have the same issues that are not repaired by dealerships. Other statutes also protect used car owners from the same issues. Our consumer protection lawyers can thoroughly explain lemon laws and help you take steps now to prove your case.
Truth in Lending Act
The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) was enacted to protect and inform consumers about important terms and costs of certain loan transactions, especially loans involving a consumer's home as collateral or a variable interest loan. The TILA provides consumers with a right to cancel certain transactions involving a lien on their primary dwelling, certain credit card practices, and a timetable for billing dispute resolution.
Equal Credit Opportunity Act
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) was enacted to provide consumers with an equal chance of obtaining credit. The ECOA prohibits discrimination by credit agencies in determining credit worthiness, such as the sex, age, or race of the applicant. The law covers banks, credit card companies, department stores, credit unions, and others who regularly extend credit. The ECOA does not guarantee credit; it provides that you will have the same opportunity as anyone else in obtaining credit.
Debt Collection Before and After Bankruptcy
Some consumers are harassed by debt collectors after filing for bankruptcy, which is illegal. After a discharge, your credit reports may be filled with false information from creditors who are trying to force you into paying debts you no longer owe.
If you are filing for bankruptcy protection, you may be also able to sue creditors or debt collectors under the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act or the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Ensure your rights are protected from incorrect credit reporting after bankruptcy and talk with a skilled consumer protection lawyer.
If you would like to talk with an experienced attorney about your situation involving false credit reporting, unfair debt collection, harassing debt collectors or other consumer protection issues, please contact us for a free confidential consultation. Call us at 205-879-2447 or 205-714-4443 or fill out our intake form on our Contact Us page.
Fighting to Protect Your Rights
Watts Law Group P.C. & M. Stan Herring P.C.
Alabama Consumer Protection Lawyers
Phone: 205-879-2447 or 205-714-4443
