Watts Law Group P.C. & M. Stan Herring P.C.Alabama Consumer Protection Lawyers
Phone: 205-879-2447 or 205-714-4443
With our convenient location in Birmingham, Alabama, the consumer protection lawyers at Watts Law Group P.C. & M. Stan Herring P.C. provide Alabama clients with experienced, professional legal representation against unfair debt collection practices (creditor harassment) and unfair or misleading credit reporting (credit reporting agencies) as well as credit issues for victims of identity theft.
Consumer Protection Laws
Congress has enacted laws to protect consumers, and 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. While our practice is focused on unfair credit reporting and unfair debt collection practices, we are here to provide you 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 or 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 at off-times (late at night or early morning), and cannot contact family members or co-workers other than to obtain location information if they do not have your contact information. For questions about creditor harassment or fair debt collection practices, please visit our Creditor Harassment - Fair Debt Collection page or contact our experienced consumer protection lawyers.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulates the activities of credit reporting agencies and is designed to protect consumers from inaccurate credit reporting. Many consumers do not discover errors in their credit reports until they apply for a loan. In some cases, the damage may have been done or an opportunity may be lost. According to a Consumer Reports article, approximately 70% of the credit reports contain errors. There are certain steps that must be taken to correct these errors, including notifying the credit reporting agency (Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union) of the discrepancy and proof of the error. For questions about fair credit reporting and issues such as identity theft, please visit our Fair Credit Reporting page and our Identity Theft Credit Issues page, or contact our experienced consumer protection lawyers.
Truth In Lending Act
The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) was enacted to protect and inform consumers about key 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
Just because you are filing for bankruptcy protection, it does not mean you cannot bring a claim under the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act or the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Often you will be harassed after your bankruptcy, which is illegal. Finally, after a discharge, your credit reports will often be filled with false information from creditors who are trying to force you into paying debts you no longer owe. Please visit our Incorrect Credit Reporting after Bankruptcy page for more information about the FCRA and bankruptcy.
We hope you find this site helpful. If you have any questions about our practice, Alabama or federal consumer protection laws, or would like to discuss your legal issues with an experienced consumer protection lawyer, please call us at 205-879-2447 or 205-714-4443, e-mail Mr. Watts or e-mail Mr. Herring, or filling out our intake form on our Contact Us page. The consultation is free; we want to help you.
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
