tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25899035848272314832024-02-19T00:47:34.723-08:00Nashville Consumer Protection LawyerBarnette Law Offices, LLC, handles consumer protection matters for clients who wish to sue credit reporting agencies and debt collectors as well as those who've been served with warrants in debt insofar as we can generally assert a myriad of counter-claims under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act.Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-74985466755971987032017-01-30T15:25:00.001-08:002017-01-30T15:25:46.945-08:00Getting Unwanted Calls On Your Cell Phone<p><a title="Telephone Consumer Protection Act" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank"><img title="header_barnettelaw" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="header_barnettelaw" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KEmUE4UU0t0/WI_LehFNg8I/AAAAAAAACik/L18BdlM5Wa8/header_barnettelaw%25255B8%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="474" height="139" /></a></p> <p><font color="#333333">Have you been receiving </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">unwanted calls on your cell phone</font></a><font color="#333333">?  Such calls often come from creditors, debt collectors, and debt buyers such as </font><a title="Telephone Consumer Protection Act" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">Midland Credit Management (or Midland Funding, LLC), Portfolio Recovery Associates, CACH, LLC, and LVNV Funding, LLC.</font></a><font color="#333333">  If you have not given such entities as the above permission to call your cell phone or even your residential phone, each call can be a violation of the </font><a title="Tennessee Telephone Consumer Protection Act Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">Telephone Consumer Protection Act</font></a><font color="#333333">.  If the calls are from a debt collector, debt purchaser, or </font><a title="Hosto & Buchan" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">even a debt collection law firm</font></a><font color="#333333">, these are also violations of the </font><a title="Tennessee Fair Debt Collection Pratices Act Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">Fair Debt Collection Practices Act</font></a><font color="#333333">.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">If you are recieving or have recieved calls such as these, contact </font><a title="Tennessee Consumer Protection Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">Jason Barnette</font></a><font color="#333333"> at </font><a title="Tennessee Consumer Protection Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">Barnette Law Offices</font></a><font color="#333333"> today.  The calls will stop, we will obtain money for you, and often times make the debt you are alleged to owe go away as a part of settlement.  We represent clients throughout </font><a title="Tennessee debt defense lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">Tennessee</font></a><font color="#333333"> and nationwide.</font></p> <div id="scid:77ECF5F8-D252-44F5-B4EB-D463C5396A79:5844a7b8-fd4b-42bd-9659-df3b765ef6bb" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Telephone+Consumer+Protection+Act" rel="tag">Telephone Consumer Protection Act</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Telephone+Consumer+Protection+Act+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Telephone Consumer Protection Act Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Fair+Debt+Collection+Practices+Act" rel="tag">Fair Debt Collection Practices Act</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+Telephone+Consumer+Protection+Act+Lawyer" rel="tag">Nashville Telephone Consumer Protection Act Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Consumer+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Consumer Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+Consumer+Lawyer" rel="tag">Nashville Consumer Lawyer</a></div>Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-58643417570301378262017-01-19T15:34:00.001-08:002017-01-19T15:34:48.604-08:00Debt Collectors Calling?<p><font color="#000000">Are </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#000000">debt collectors</font></a><font color="#000000"> calling you in Tennessee or West Virginia?  If so, their calls could be in violation of the </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#000000">Telephone Consumer Protection Act</font></a><font color="#000000">.  What does that mean for you – money in your pocket and perhaps more!  If you’re getting these </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#000000">calls</font></a><font color="#000000">, contact us at </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#000000">Barnette Law Offices</font></a><font color="#000000"> today!</font></p> <p><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><img title="Consumer[5]" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Consumer[5]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbd7J3Ok_axzhbkU8jzxsr2lEVPwmWphT3gQNeUb7oA3MDr4WdGP8vUKWN_jxSDzaWZBDepFfODslyt2IJrm6Mde51UKLzwVbbgQjoee_4okRlgwWtwBqMg90WsaKn4L7vlOI49lTbNi-Q/?imgmax=800" width="460" height="147" /></a></p> <p>Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Telephone+Communication+Protection+Act">Telephone Communication Protection Act</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Telephone+Consumer+Protection+Lawyers">Tennessee Telephone Consumer Protection Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+Telephone+Consumer+Protection+Act+Lawyers">Nashville Telephone Consumer Protection Act Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Telephone+Communication+Protection+Act+Lawyers">Telephone Communication Protection Act Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sue+for+Telephone+Calls">Sue for Telephone Calls</a></p>Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-82054271917172613522017-01-19T15:19:00.001-08:002017-01-19T15:19:47.264-08:00Debt Collectors Calling?<p><font color="#000000">Are </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#000000">debt collectors</font></a><font color="#000000"> calling you in Tennessee or West Virginia?  If so, their calls could be in violation of the </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#000000">Telephone Consumer Protection Act</font></a><font color="#000000">.  What does that mean for you – money in your pocket and perhaps more!  If you’re getting these </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#000000">calls</font></a><font color="#000000">, contact us at </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#000000">Barnette Law Offices</font></a><font color="#000000"> today!</font></p> <p><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><img title="Consumer[5]" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Consumer[5]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbd7J3Ok_axzhbkU8jzxsr2lEVPwmWphT3gQNeUb7oA3MDr4WdGP8vUKWN_jxSDzaWZBDepFfODslyt2IJrm6Mde51UKLzwVbbgQjoee_4okRlgwWtwBqMg90WsaKn4L7vlOI49lTbNi-Q/?imgmax=800" width="460" height="147" /></a></p> <p>Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Telephone+Communication+Protection+Act">Telephone Communication Protection Act</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Telephone+Consumer+Protection+Lawyers">Tennessee Telephone Consumer Protection Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+Telephone+Consumer+Protection+Act+Lawyers">Nashville Telephone Consumer Protection Act Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Telephone+Communication+Protection+Act+Lawyers">Telephone Communication Protection Act Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sue+for+Telephone+Calls">Sue for Telephone Calls</a></p>Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-35662601599692580512014-07-16T00:32:00.001-07:002014-07-16T00:32:57.163-07:00Tennessee Deficiency on Foreclosure–Call Barnette Law Offices!<p><a title="Tennessee Foreclosure Defense" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag"><img title="Consumer" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Consumer" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tIXzyw2wQ1g/U8YqpofqEYI/AAAAAAAACdA/vIPy17Xq6G8/Consumer%25255B5%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="467" height="176" /></a></p> <p><font color="#000000">If you have been contacted by a mortgage lender, collection agency, debt buyer, or a law firm in Tennessee regarding a “deficiency” after your home was foreclosed upon, please read the following inasmuch as you have defenses and potential causes of action . . .  </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">In Tennessee, a creditor can sue for breach of contract (i.e. to recover</font> unpaid <font color="#000000">debt) for up to 6 years from the date of the default in payment.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">However, Tenn. Code Ann.  § 35-5-118(d) provides that a post-foreclosure action to obtain a deficiency judgment “shall be brought not later than the <em>earlier</em> of:</font></p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#000000">(A) Two (2) years after the date of the trustee’s or foreclosure sale, exclusive of any period of time in which a petition for bankruptcy is pending; or</font></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><font color="#000000">(B) The time for enforcing the indebtedness as provided for under §§ 28-1-102 and 28-2-111.</font></p> </blockquote> <p><font color="#000000">So, the creditor has to sue on the earlier of two years or within the original 6 year statute of limitations. Two years is generally going to be the earlier of those two.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">For many creditors, waiting a few years after a foreclosure is a reasonable move, to see if the debtor’s fortunes turn around. But, under this statute, a creditor can’t wait too long, and no later than 2 years.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">If you’ve received letters or have been sued under the aforementioned scenario above, contact us at <a title="Tennessee Foreclosure Defense Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Barnette Law Offices</a>!</font></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:d85f148b-f432-4bdd-b7bc-07055674298b" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+FDCPA+Lawyers" rel="tag">Tennessee FDCPA Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+FCRA+Lawyers" rel="tag">Tennessee FCRA Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Foreclosure+Defense+Lawyers" rel="tag">Tennessee Foreclosure Defense Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Debt+Defense+Lawyers" rel="tag">Tennessee Debt Defense Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+FDCPA+Lawyer" rel="tag">Nashville FDCPA Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+FCRA+Lawyer" rel="tag">Nashville FCRA Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+Debt+Defense+Lawyer" rel="tag">Nashville Debt Defense Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+Consumer+Lawyer" rel="tag">Nashville Consumer Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+Consumer+Protection+Lawyer" rel="tag">Nashville Consumer Protection Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+Consumer+Foreclosure+Defense" rel="tag">Nashville Consumer Foreclosure Defense</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Consumer+Protection+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Consumer Protection Lawyer</a></div> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-41947824721277654112014-07-09T14:36:00.001-07:002014-07-09T14:36:11.124-07:00Debt Collection Calls and Lawsuits in Tennessee –Call Barnette Law Offices<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pH8Qpwy4Epg/U721w_0zxGI/AAAAAAAACcA/VpQTzFMil1Y/s1600-h/Consumer%25255B4%25255D.gif"><img title="Consumer" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Consumer" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__FThfW4JDDG00vkpsR0qAGkk9N1LVHNqdu3ys2nN9r0u_soy42RI04BNA8y7POsLT7YTcpFvpbm4SHqEkPRfkeKEDUzfF-8EYA-3dN5j4_G4qjt4s1Oc8QAmkOXcLQrxNmW0yZDe1TN0/?imgmax=800" width="473" height="167" /></a></p> <p><font color="#000000">Have you been getting too many automated debt collection calls? If so, you may be entitled to compensation under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).</font></p> <h4><font color="#000000">Illegal Debt Collection Practices</font></h4> <p><font color="#000000">If you owe someone money, they have a right to try and collect it by calling you. However, it matters how many times they call you a day, week or month using <a title="Tennessee Telephone Consumer Protection Act Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag">automated debt collection calls</a>, also known as robocalls, which are automated phone calls that use both a computerized autodialer and a computer-delivered pre-recorded message.  In fact, calling without your express prior consent is illegal under the <a title="Stop debt collection calls" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag">Telephone Consumer Protection Act</a>.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">A U.S. District Court judge in Tennessee recently ruled that 17 calls a month was too much and that consumers who received these calls are entitled to file suit against the debt collector. In his opinion, he reasoned:</font></p> <blockquote><font color="#000000">"The frequency of [the defendant's] calls to [the plaintiff's] telephone and the manner in which [the defendant] called [the plaintiff's] cellular telephone using an automatic telephone dialing system could plausibly cause an unsophisticated consumer to feel harassed, oppressed or abused." It's that language which can be seen in several debt collection consumer laws.</font></blockquote> <h4><font color="#000000">Consumer Debt Protection Laws</font></h4> <p><font color="#000000">Consumers are protected by several laws to make sure that debt collection practices are fair and reasonable. The <a title="Tennessee Debt Collection Defense Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag">Fair Debt Collection Practices Act</a> and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act are two of those laws which, if violated, can result in up to $1,500 in fines per violation. Here's how they work:</font></p> <ul> <li><font color="#000000">FDCPA. The <a title="Tennessee FDCPA Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag">Fair Debt Collection Practices Act</a></font><font color="#000000"></font><font color="#000000"> prohibits debt collectors from using telephone calls “repeatedly or continuously with intent to annoy, abuse or harass.” </font></li> <li><font color="#000000">TCPA. The <a title="Stop debt collection calls" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag">Telephone Consumer Protection Act</a></font><font color="#000000"></font><font color="#000000"> prohibits calls using any automatic telephone dialing system or artificial or prerecorded voices to several cell phones and other places.</font> </li> </ul> <h4><font color="#000000">Debt Collector Violations Getting Worse</font></h4> <p><font color="#000000">The number of debt collectors who violate these </font><a href="http://bankruptcy-law.freeadvice.com/bankruptcy-law/collections/1852/"><font color="#000000">consumer protection laws</font></a><font color="#000000"> has doubled over the past few years according to the Federal Trade Commission. However, debt collection lawyers say that consumers do not have to put up with this behavior and encourage them to seek the advice of an attorney to make the calls and harassment stop once and for all.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">If a debt collector has engaged in any of these abusive or unfair debt collection practices, contact the <a title="Tennessee FDCPA Lawyers" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Tennessee FDCPA Lawyers</a> and <a title="Tennessee TCPA Lawyers" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag">Tennessee TCPA Lawyers</a> at  <a title="Tennessee FDCPA Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Barnette Law Offices</a> for a free evaluation!</font></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b07d1295-4762-481e-90f4-a8c73a3556bd" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+FDCPA+Lawyers" rel="tag">Tennessee FDCPA Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+FDCPA+Lawyers" rel="tag">Nashville FDCPA Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Debt+Collection+Defense+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Debt Collection Defense Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/TN+Debt+Defense" rel="tag">TN Debt Defense</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/TN+Debt+Defense+Lawyer" rel="tag">TN Debt Defense Lawyer</a></div> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-37353664756924225422014-07-09T14:02:00.001-07:002014-07-09T14:02:18.466-07:00Tennessee FDCPA Lawyers–Barnette Law Offices<p><font color="#000000"><a title="Tennessee FDCPA Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag"><img title="header_barnettelaw" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="header_barnettelaw" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wf1AM4RWRWM/U72t2GScJCI/AAAAAAAACa8/MD6n65zuQWQ/header_barnettelaw%25255B5%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="459" height="178" /></a></font></p> <p><font color="#000000">The <a title="Tennessee FDCPA Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Fair Debt Collection Practices Act</a> (FDCPA) was enacted to stop abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices by debt collectors and debt purchasers such as Midland Funding, Asset Acceptance, CACH, Portfolio Recovery Associates, Cavalry Portfolio Services, etc. If you believe you have been a victim of unfair practices of a debt collector or if you’ve been sued by a <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">debt collector</a> or <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">debt purchaser</a> in a <a title="Tennessee FDCPA Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Tennessee General Sessions Court</a>  you may be entitled to money damages and payment of your attorneys’ fees. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">A Debt Collector cannot: </font></p> <ul> <li><font color="#000000">Call you on telephone repeatedly and at odd hours </font></li> <li><font color="#000000">Call you, but not announce who he/she is </font></li> <li><font color="#000000">Disclose information of your debts to third parties </font></li> <li><font color="#000000">Use abusive language </font></li> <li><font color="#000000">Contact you after written notification that you do not want to be contacted </font></li> <li><font color="#000000">Claim to be affiliated with any governmental organization </font></li> <li><font color="#000000">Misrepresent the character, amount or legal status of a debt </font></li> <li><font color="#000000">Threaten to take action not validated </font></li> <li><font color="#000000">Threaten or communicate false credit information </font></li> <li><font color="#000000">Use deceptive methods to collect debts </font></li> <li><font color="#000000">... and more</font></li> </ul> <font color="#000000">You can: </font> <ul> <li><font color="#000000">Reduce or completely zero your interest payment </font></li> <li><font color="#000000">Avoid or reduce late payment fees </font></li> <li><font color="#000000">Combine several loans into a single low monthly payment plan </font></li> <li><font color="#000000">Get your credit reports corrected </font></li> <li><font color="#000000">Remove invalid or time-lapsed entries in your credit reports </font></li> <li><font color="#000000">...and more</font></li> </ul> <p><font color="#000000">If a debt collector has engaged in any of these abusive or unfair debt collection practice, contact the <a title="Tennessee FDCPA Lawyers" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Tennessee FDCPA Lawyers</a> at  <a title="Tennessee FDCPA Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Barnette Law Offices</a> for a free evaluation!</font></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b07d1295-4762-481e-90f4-a8c73a3556bd" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+FDCPA+Lawyers" rel="tag">Tennessee FDCPA Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+FDCPA+Lawyers" rel="tag">Nashville FDCPA Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Debt+Collection+Defense+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Debt Collection Defense Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/TN+Debt+Defense" rel="tag">TN Debt Defense</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/TN+Debt+Defense+Lawyer" rel="tag">TN Debt Defense Lawyer</a></div> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-19974118749050024842014-07-05T15:05:00.001-07:002014-07-05T15:05:32.348-07:00Debt Collectors Calling–Call Barnette Law Offices<p><font color="#000000"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000">The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) is a hot topic today in the collection industry.  Lawsuits alleging violations of the TCPA are increasing, and because statutory damages may be awarded under the TCPA <strong><em>for each violation and without any cap</em></strong>, such suits threaten collectors with potentially ruinous liability through class action litigation.  (See, e.g., <strong><em>Foreman v. Data Transfer, Inc.</em></strong> (E.D. Pa. 1995) 164 F.R.D. 400, 404-405.)  The TCPA potentially imposes amalgamated damages against debt collectors in a way not permitted under other statutory schemes designed to regulate collections.  See, e.g. FDCPA, <strong>15 USC</strong> <strong>1692k(a)(2)(B)</strong> (capping statutory class action damages at $500,000 or 1% of the collector’s net worth).  When one considers that $500, or even $1,500, in statutory damages may be imposed for each violative cell phone call under the TCPA, it becomes readily apparent that even a few hundred, much less thousands (or millions) of calls, may lead to truly ruinous damages if an “adding-machine” approach is taken to the statute’s interpretation. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000">This article attempts to pierce the rhetoric that has grown up around the TCPA, and to put its “urban legends” into perspective.  Please note this article is not designed to be a comprehensive analysis, but rather it is intended to provide consumers, with a brief overview, and to act as an “A B C” primer.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">I. The TCPA Applies to Debt Collection</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">After the TCPA Legislation was adopted, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the federal body tasked with enforcing and interpreting the TCPA, issued a formal Order, entitled “Notice of Proposed Rule Making” on April 17, 1992 (hereinafter, the 1992 TCPA Order).  This Order initially and originally interpreted the TCPA and the implementing Regulations related thereto. </font><a href="http://www.ellislawgrp.com/article09part1.html#one"><strong><font color="#000000">1 </font></strong></a><a name="a"><font color="#000000">In </font></a><font color="#000000">the 1992 TCPA Order, the FCC wrote: “The overall intent of Section 227 is to protect consumers from unrestricted telemarketing . . .”  (<strong>1992 TCPA Order at ¶ 19, p. *3</strong>.)  But, the 1992 TCPA Order also specifically recognized that some businesses, such as debt collectors, used various types of telephone dialers, including “automated” and/or "predictive" telephone equipment that could fall within the TCPA.  Nonetheless, the FCC commented that, to the extent the practice of using automated equipment complied with other State or Federal debt collection laws (such as, presumptively, the FDCPA), this "<strong><em>non-telemarketing use of auto dialers [was] not intended to be prohibited by the TCPA</em></strong>." (<strong>1992 TCPA Order, ¶ 15</strong>, emphasis added; bracketed language added.) </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Indeed, the 1992 TCPA Order carefully distinguished the telemarketing conduct sought to be regulated by the TCPA from the “commercial” conduct of debt collectors: </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">[I]n all debt collection circumstances, a prior or existing business relationship took place between the caller and the called party or the calling party is acting in an agency capacity for the creditor. . . [A] debt collection call that otherwise complies with all applicable collection statutes, is a commercial call that does not adversely affect the privacy concerns the TCPA seeks to protect.  (<strong>1992 TCPA Order at ¶ 16</strong>.)<strong></strong></font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Again and again, the FCC in later orders continued to recognize that debt collection calls were viewed differently from telemarketing communications for the very reason that (1) collection calls “do not transmit an unsolicited advertisement,” and (2) because “debt collection calls are not directed to randomly or sequentially generated telephone numbers, but instead are directed to the specifically programmed contact numbers for debtors.”  (<strong>In the Matter of Rules </strong><strong>& Regulations Implementing The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 2008, CG Docket No. 02-278, FCC 07-232 (1/4/08) ¶¶ 9-12 (</strong>hereinafter, <strong>2008 TCPA Order</strong>). </font><a href="http://www.ellislawgrp.com/article09part1.html#two"><strong><font color="#000000">2</font></strong></a><font color="#000000"> </font><a name="b"><font color="#000000">Moreover,</font></a><font color="#000000"> the FCC has flatly ruled that “<strong><em>calls solely for the purpose of debt collection are not telephone solicitations and do not constitute telemarketing</em></strong>.”  <strong><em>Id.</em></strong>, at ¶ 11. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">In short, the Legislative history of the TCPA discussed above, the FCC's historical interpretations of the TCPA, as well as its own implementing regulations which interpret the TCPA, </font><a href="http://www.ellislawgrp.com/article09part1.html#three"><strong><font color="#000000">3</font></strong></a><font color="#000000"> </font><a name="c"><font color="#000000">all</font></a><font color="#000000"> demonstrate that the TCPA was aimed at curbing unsolicited <strong><em>telemarketing</em></strong> communications made by the use of so-called “automatic telephone dialing systems” directed to private residential homes, under circumstances where the communications invade the recipient’s privacy and lead the recipient to incur costs.  But the TCPA was not designed to deter (1) legitimate (non-telemarketing) commercial calls, (2) calls to individuals with whom the caller, directly or indirectly, possessed an <strong><em>established business relationship</em></strong>, and/or (3) calls made with the <strong><em>consent of the recipient</em></strong>. </font><a href="http://www.ellislawgrp.com/article09part1.html#four"><strong><font color="#000000">4</font></strong></a></p> <p><font color="#000000"><strong><a title="Tennessee Debt Collection Abuse Lawyers" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Nonetheless, in its 2002 and 2008 TCPA Orders, the FCC seemingly ignored its own history and the previous distinctions between telemarketing and other types of commercial communications such as debt collection. For example, in the 2008 TCPA order, the FCC explicitly observed: “The plain language of section 227(b)(1)(A)(iii) prohibits the use of autodialers to make any call to a wireless number in the absence of … the prior express consent of the called party. We note this prohibition applies regardless of the content of the call, and is not limited only to calls that constitute ‘telephone solicitation.’” 2008 TCPA Order, 11 (emphasis added). This is the FCC’s current position today.</a></strong></font><font color="#000000"><strong></strong></font></p> <p><font color="#000000">II. THE PROVISIONS OF THE TCPA RELEVANT TO DEBT COLLECTORS AND CALLING </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">As most relevant to collectors calling cell phones, the TCPA, at <strong>47 U.S.C. § 227</strong><strong>(b), </strong>provides:</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">(b)  Restrictions on use of automated telephone equipment <br />       (1) Prohibitions <br /><strong><em>It shall be unlawful</em></strong> for any person within the United States, or any person outside the United States if the recipient is within the United States <br />             (A) <strong><em>To make any call</em></strong> (<strong><em>other than a call </em></strong>…<strong><em> made with the prior express consent of the party called</em></strong>) using any <strong><em>automatic telephone dialing system</em></strong> <strong><em>or an artificial or pre-recorded voice</em></strong> <br /><strong></strong>(i)  to any emergency telephone line. . . <br />                   (ii)  to the telephone line. . .of a hospital … <strong></strong> <br />                   (iii)  to any telephone number assigned to a paging service,<strong><em> cellular telephone service,</em></strong> specialized mobile radio service, or other radio common carrier service, or any service<strong><em> for which the called party is charged for the call</em></strong>;  <br />               (B)  <strong><em>to initiate any telephone call to any residential telephone line using an artificial or prerecorded voice</em></strong> to deliver a message <strong><em>without the prior express consent </em></strong>of the party, <strong><em>unless the call</em></strong>. . .<strong><em>is</em></strong><em> <strong>exempted by rule or order</strong></em> by the Commission. . .(Emphasis added.)</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">The plain language of <strong>47 USC § 227(b)(1)(A) </strong>makes clear a violation of the TCPA occurs when an autodialed call is made to a cell (wireless) phone without the prior express consent of the called party.  (<strong>2008 TCPA Order, </strong>¶ 9; see also <strong>47 C.F.R. 64.1200</strong>.)<strong> </strong>In short, the elements that must be established to prove a <em>prima facie</em> violation of the cell phone provisions of the TCPA are: </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">(1) A call to a cell (wireless) phone by either: <br />       (a) using an “automatic telephone dialing system,” and/or <br />        (b) leaving an artificial or pre-recorded message. <br />(2) Where the call is made without the prior express consent of the recipient, and <br />(3) Where the recipient is charged for the call. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">D. WHAT IS AN AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE DIALING SYSTEM (“ATDS”)? <br />An essential requirement of a TCPA claim is that the phone call be sent to a cell phone by use of auto dialing technology which either (1) utilizes a so-called “random or sequential number generator” or (2) automatically leaves a prerecorded, as opposed to a live, message.  These restrictions, arise from the Congressional finding that “automated or pre-recorded telephone calls were a greater nuisance and invasion of privacy than live solicitation calls.”  <strong>2008 TCPA Order, at ¶ 17</strong>.  </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Consequently, the heart of the TCPA’s restrictions focus on the regulation of calls made by the use of a so-called “automatic telephone dialing system” (“ATDS”).  <strong>TCPA</strong>, <strong>47 </strong><strong>U.S.C. § 227(a)(1)</strong>. </font></p> <p><strong><font color="#000000">1. What Constitutes An ATDS Under Federal Law?</font></strong></p> <p><font color="#000000">The term “automatic telephone dialing system” (“ATDS”), as defined under the TCPA, is a highly specific term of art.  The TCPA defines an ATDS as “equipment which has the capacity” (a) to “store or produce telephone numbers to be called, <strong><em>using a random or sequential number generator</em></strong>” and (b) to “dial such numbers.”  <strong>TCPA, 47 U.S.C. §§ 227</strong><strong>(a)(1)(A) and (B)</strong>. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">The mere fact that a dialer automatically pulls a number out of a database and calls the phone number, should <strong><em>not</em></strong> be considered as having been made by an automatic telephone dialing system.  (<strong>I</strong><strong>n the Matter of Rules and Regulations Implementing the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Memorandum Opinion and Order, 17 FCC rcd. 17459, 17465</strong> N. 96 (Sept. 18, 2002)); <u>but compare</u> <strong>2008 TCPA Order, ¶¶ 12-14.</strong>) </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">The ATDS provision of the TCPA was designed to address the type of telephone solicitation that Congress found to be especially abusive, namely automated calling devices which are able to “generate” millions of telephone numbers, and which are then automatically dialed without any human control.  When dialed sequentially, this technology has the capability to tie up all of the lines assigned to a particular business or individual -- for example, 283-8820, 283-8821, 283-8822, and so forth, (because often business or individuals have multiple phone numbers that vary only by one or two sequential digits).  </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">In the Appendix to the Senate Hearings on the TCPA is a document entitled “<strong>Why the Legislation Is So Important.</strong>”  See <strong>S. Hrg.</strong><strong> 102-918</strong>, <strong>at 68 (</strong><strong>Oct. 10, 1991</strong><strong>)</strong>.  Specific problems identified relate to automatic dialing systems which generate and dial numbers in sequence, thereby tying up all the lines and preventing any outgoing calls.  <strong><em>Id.</em></strong>  In the “Background and Need” Section of a Congressional Report accompanying the TCPA House bill, the history noted a ban on automatic telephone dialing systems was necessary because such systems:</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">are programmed to dial sequential blocks of telephone numbers, including those of emergency public organizations and unlisted subscribers. Since an [automatic telephone dialing system] can “seize” a recipient’s telephone line once a phone connection is made and may not release the line when the recipient hangs up, they can result in an intrusive and potentially dangerous use of telecommunication equipment. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000"><strong>H.R. REP. No. 101-633</strong>, at 3 (1990); see also <strong><em>Telemarketing/Privacy Issues: Hearing Before the Subcom. On Telecomm. And Finance</em>, 102d Cong. 2</strong> (1991) (Statement of Rep. Markey, Chairman). </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">What constitutes an ATDS subject to regulation under the TCPA has spawned considerate debate.  The FCC itself has not helped to clarify the issue by asserting that virtually any automated dialing device qualifies – ignoring the requirement in the TCPA itself that defines an ATDS be reference to “a random or sequential number generator.”  <strong>47 USC § 227(a)(1).</strong>  Clearly despite the FCC’s statements to the contrary, not every phone system with an automated dialing capability qualifies as an ATDS subject to the TCPA. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Although interpretive case law is sparse, one federal court sitting in California has clearly held that not every call sent through the use of automated calling equipment, or a predictive dialer, qualifies as an “ATDS” under the TCPA.  Instead the court ruled that only the subset of calls automatically dialed by the use of “a random or sequential number generator” was covered by the TCPA.  <strong><em>Satterfield v. Simon & Schuster </em></strong>(N.D. Cal. 2007) 2007 WL 1839807 at *5-6.  Significantly, the District Court rejected the FCC’s own interpretation that every predictive dialer qualified as an ATDS.  It concluded that the FCC’s broad interpretation was not entitled to deference as it was manifestly at odds with the definition of an ATDS contained inside the statute.  </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">The federal judge instead ruled that only equipment (whether or not automated or predictive) that contains “a random or sequential number generator” qualifies as an ATDS subject to the TCPA requirements.  <strong><em>Id.</em></strong>  Because most phone systems used by collectors do not use such number generating technology (even if they contain predictive dialers), they are not covered by the TCPA.  The <strong><em>Satterfield</em></strong> decision has been appealed, and an appellate decision is currently pending.</font></p> <p><a name="one"><font color="#000000">1. In</font></a><font color="#000000"> 1992, the FCC enacted its original implementing regulations pursuant to an explicit grant of authority from Congress, as set forth in 47 USC § 227(b)(2) (“The commission shall prescribe regulations to implement the requirements of this subject.”) The FCC’s Regulations construing the TCPA are set forth at 47 CFR § 64.1200, et seq. Since 1992, the FCC has periodically issued newer interpretive regulations and orders. The last interpretive order was promulgated on January 4, 2008. <br /></font><a href="http://www.ellislawgrp.com/article09part1.html#a"><font color="#000000">Return To Text</font></a></p> <p><a name="two"><font color="#000000">2.</font></a><font color="#000000"> See, e.g., 2008 TCPA Order, at footnotes 17 and 18; 1995 TCPA Reconsideration Order, ¶ 17<strong> </strong>(“We have specifically noted that ‘<strong><em>prerecorded debt collection calls [are] exempt</em></strong> from the prohibitions on [prerecorded] calls to residences as . . .commercial calls. . .which do not transmit an unsolicited advertisement.”). See also 1992 TCPA Order, ¶ 39 (“With respect to concerns regarding compliance with both the [Fair Debt Collection Practices Act] and our rules in prerecorded message calls, we emphasize that the <strong><em>identification requirements will not apply to debt collection calls because such calls are not autodialer calls</em></strong> (i.e., dialed using a random or sequential number generator) and hence are not subject to the identification requirements for prerecorded messages in <strong>64.1200(e)(4)</strong> of our rules”). </font><a href="http://www.ellislawgrp.com/article09part1.html#b"><font color="#000000">Return To Text</font></a></p> <p><a name="three"><font color="#000000">3.</font></a><font color="#000000"> See, e.g., <strong>47CFR § 64.1200(a)(2)(iii)</strong> (there is no liability under the TCPA for most calls made for a commercial or business purpose which do not include an unsolicited advertisement or solicitation).  <u>See</u> <u>also</u> <strong>47 CFR § 64.1200(a)(2)(ii)</strong>.  </font><a href="http://www.ellislawgrp.com/article09part1.html#c"><font color="#000000">Return To Text</font></a></p> <p><a name="four"><font color="#000000">4. </font></a><font color="#000000">The TCPA also established what is commonly known as the national “do not call list” whereby residential telephone subscribers may “opt out” of receiving unsolicited telemarketing calls at their home.  <strong>See 47 CFR § 64.1200(e)(2).</strong> </font><a href="http://www.ellislawgrp.com/article09part1.html#d"><font color="#000000">Return To Text</font></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.ellislawgrp.com/article09part1.html"><font color="#000000"></font></a></p> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-85879391358096900602014-07-05T14:46:00.001-07:002014-07-05T14:46:06.526-07:00Tennessee Debt Collection Defense<p><font color="#000000">The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that governs what actions a debt collector can take while trying to collect a debt. Collection attorneys are also governed by the FDCPA. As such, collection attorneys should take note of several recent rulings in 2005 from federal courts around the country regarding the FDCPA.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000"><strong>Oral Disputes of Debts Count, Too <br /></strong>The Ninth Circuit has held that debt collectors cannot tell consumers that they will assume a debt is valid unless they receive written notification of a dispute. A consumer can dispute the validity of a debt in writing or orally. Although there are some sections of the FDCPA that require written notice, the Court declined to impose the written notice provision on other sections. The Court reasoned that it would not make sense to read a written notice requirement into §1692g(a)(3) because other sections of the FDCPA require debt collectors to take note of consumers' oral disputes.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">The Ninth Circuit followed Supreme Court rulings that have held that courts should not insert language into a statute unless the failure to do so would result in absurd or unreasonable results.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000"><strong>Collectors Must Notify Credit Bureaus of Orally-Disputed Debts <br /></strong>The FDCPA requires a collector to notify the credit bureaus that a debt is disputed if the collector has reason to know the debt is disputed and reports about the debt on a consumer's credit report. This requirement applies even if the consumer disputes the debt orally.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">This requirement has been extended by recent court rulings. First, the debt collector does not have the authority to decide unilaterally if a consumer's dispute has any merit. As long as a consumer has disputed the debt, the collector is required to inform the credit bureaus of the dispute.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Second, a simple inquiry by a consumer about the validity of additional charges is an oral dispute of the debt and requires reporting to the credit bureaus that the debt is disputed.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Lastly, a collector has to report that the debt is disputed in a timely manner. Summary judgment was denied for a collector in a recent case in Pennsylvania where the collector took seven months to report that the debt was disputed. The court believed that a jury could find that seven months was an unreasonable delay and a violation of the FDCPA.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000"><strong>Affidavits for Garnishments are Covered by the FDCPA <br /></strong>In an important ruling, <strong><a title="Jason Barnette Tennessee Debt Collection Defense" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">the Sixth Circuit has recently held that debt collectors and collection attorneys who sign and file affidavits to obtain garnishments in state courts are fair game for FDCPA lawsuits.</a></strong> </font> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:1737d479-48da-46b6-90d8-7174a7712e34" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Debt+Collection+Defense" rel="tag">Tennessee Debt Collection Defense</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Consumer+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Consumer Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+Debt+Collection+Defense" rel="tag">Nashville Debt Collection Defense</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Debt+Collection+Defense+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Debt Collection Defense Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+Debt+Collection+Defense+Lawyer" rel="tag">Nashville Debt Collection Defense Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Beat+Midland+Funding" rel="tag">Beat Midland Funding</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Beat+CACH" rel="tag">Beat CACH</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Beat+Asset+Acceptance" rel="tag">Beat Asset Acceptance</a></div> </p> <p>Collection lawyers will now have to be more careful about what they and their clients say in these affidavits. In the Sixth Circuit case, the collector's attorney filed an affidavit stating that he had a reasonable basis to believe that the debtor's property was nonexempt and garnishable. The debtor's property, however, was Social Security benefits, which are exempt.</p> <p><font color="#000000">The court also stated that the FDCPA violation was an independent federal claim from the state court action and therefore the Supreme Court's Rooker-Feldman doctrine, which bars federal courts from reviewing state court decisions, did not apply.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000"><strong>Repeated or Continuous Telephone Calls Can Mean Trouble <br /></strong>Recent court decisions reaffirm that repeated or continuous calls to a consumer by a debt collector can bring about FDCPA violations.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">In one case, six voice-mail messages left on a consumer's home answering machine over a 10-day period was sufficient to defeat summary judgment and could be viewed as harassment, false threats or unfair practices.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">In another case, the debt collector was denied summary judgment where it called a consumer multiple times without leaving any messages. The court determined that the possible FDCPA violation turned on the volume of calls made and on the pattern of the calls.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">In yet another case, a debt collector was found to have violated the FDCPA by repeatedly calling a consumer after the consumer had hung up the telephone<strong>. </strong></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"><strong>The Financial Pain of FDCPA Violations <br /></strong>Consumers have the right to file a lawsuit against any debt collector or collection attorney who violates the FDCPA. The consumer can recover actual damages, statutory damages of up to $1,000 and attorney's fees and costs.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Some of the secondary costs to debt collectors and collection attorneys include decreased collection rates, increased insurance rates and the costs of defending a lawsuit, just to name a few. As the recent rulings point out, avoiding FDCPA violations is the best road to travel.</font></p> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-27765870705537141982014-06-12T20:49:00.001-07:002014-06-12T20:49:00.443-07:00Tennessee Debt Buyer’s Must Have A License<p><a title="Tennessee Debt Defense Lawyers" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" rel="tag" target="_blank"><img title="Consumer" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Consumer" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qS8JZsEgW2o/U5p0qeFFbXI/AAAAAAAACao/Qu0yHMaFSdE/Consumer%25255B5%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="452" height="142" /></a></p> <p><font color="#000000"><em>White v. Sherman Financial Group, LLC</em>, No. 3:12-cv-404, 2013 WL 5936679, *1 (E.D. Tenn. Nov. 4, 2013), the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee recently denied the plaintiff’s partial motion for summary judgment and granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants on all but one the plaintiff’s Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”) claims and, in the process, rendered a significant decision regarding the interplay between the FDCPA and filing state collection actions in Tennessee.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">In <em>White</em>, the plaintiff alleged the defendants, Sherman Financial Group, LLC (“Sherman”), LVNV Funding, LLC (“LVNV”), Resurgent Capital Services, L.P. (“Resurgent”), Tobie Griffin (“Griffin”), and Buffaloe & Associates, PLC (“Buffaloe”), of violating a number of FDCPA provisions when Buffaloe filed a civil warrant and sworn affidavit on behalf of LVNV. The civil warrant sought to collect the principal amount due on the debt “plus pre and post judgment interest accruing at the statutory rate of 10% and court costs.” Griffin signed the sworn affidavit, which stated the principal amount due “plus any additional accrued interest.” The plaintiff denied the existence of the debt and the state collection suit was eventually dismissed. The plaintiff then brought the federal suit asserting that the defendants violated the FDCPA by filing the state collection action and, thus, allegedly making false, misleading representations, taking an action which could not legally be taken by failing to obtain a proper license, failing to make requisite disclosures in the civil warrant and sworn affidavit, and filing the suit in an improper venue. The specific FDCPA provisions the plaintiff alleged were violated were as follows: 1692e(2)(A), 1692e(2)(B), 1692e(8), 1692e(10), 1692e, 1692e(5), 1692f, 1692f(1), 1692e(11), 1692g(1)(3)-(5), and g(1)(3)-(5), and 1692i(a)(2). At the outset of the opinion, the Court granted summary judgment in favor of Sherman as to all of the plaintiff’s claims because the plaintiff did not discuss Sherman’s liability and only briefly even mentioned Sherman. The court then addressed the plaintiff’s claims against the remaining defendants.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">First, the plaintiff claimed that the defendants filed the collection suit without possessing competent evidence to establish the debt was owed to LVNV and while knowing that they did not intend to ever prosecute the case or validate the evidence. The court found that the plaintiff provided no evidence of any intent not to pursue the action or of a pattern of practice of doing so. Furthermore, the court found that, despite taking issue with the affiant’s level of personal knowledge, the plaintiff provided no evidence to counter the information in the affidavit. The court also found that “the mere fact defendants dismissed their collection action against plaintiff is insufficient to create a genuine issue of material fact.” Plaintiff also argued that the defendants violated a number of FDCPA provisions because the amount sought in the civil warrant was the principal plus pre and post judgment interest and court costs, while the affidavit only stated “[the principal amount] plus any additional accrued interest.” The court found this argument “meritless” because “the affidavit clearly states the amount due, including the possibility of interest, and was used to validate the debt on which the civil warrant is seeking to collect.” Furthermore, the court stated that “[t]he failure to include the court cost amount would not be misleading, nor would it be an attempt to collect on an amount not authorized by law, given that court costs are authorized by statute.” Therefore, the court found the statements were not inconsistent with each other and would not deceive the least sophisticated consumer. The court granted summary judgment for the defendants as to the 1692e, 1692e(2)(A), 1692e(2)(B), 1692e(5), 1692e(8), 1692e(10), 1692f, and 1692f(1) claims.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Second, the plaintiff claimed LVNV’s failure to obtain a license to be a debt collector under Tennessee law was a violation of the FDCPA. LVNV claimed it was exempt from Tenn. Code Ann. § 62-20-105 licensing requirement because it hired the law firm to carry out its collection efforts. The court recognized that <em>Smith v. LVNV Funding, LLC</em>, 809 F. Supp. 2d 1045, 1049 (E.D. Tenn. 2012), held that the failure to obtain the necessary licensing could give rise to a FDCPA violation for threatening and or taking legal action which it was not authorized to do. However, in this case, the court held that LVNV was not required to obtain a collection service license from the Tennessee Collection Service Board (“TCSB”). The court fully relied on a “clarification statement” issued by the TCSB, which states as follows:</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">It is currently the opinion of the Tennessee Collection Service Board that entities who purchase judgments or other forms of indebtedness will be deemed a ‘collection service’ if they collect or attempt to collect the debt or judgment subsequent to their purchase of the debt or judgment. However, entities who purchase debt or judgments in the manner described above but who do not collect or attempt to collect the purchased debt or judgment, but rather assign collection activity relative to the purchased debt to a licensed collection agency or a licensed attorney or law firm shall not be deemed to be a ‘collection service.’</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">The Court noted that the TCSB had reaffirmed the statement as recently as May 2012. Thus, because the only evidence on the record showed that the law firm conducted all collection activity related to the plaintiff’s account, then LVNV would not be a collection service according to the clarification statement and did not need a license. The court also recognized its own contrary finding in <em>Lilly v. RAB Performance Recoveries, LLC</em>, No. 2:12-CV-364, 2013 WL 38344008 (E.D. Tenn. Aug. 2013), this summer and stated simply that “the Court was not made aware of the existence or import of the Clarification Statement”. The court found LVNV was entitled to summary judgment on 1692e(5), 1692f, and 1692f(1) claims.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Third, the plaintiff argued that the civil warrant and affidavit were initial communications and that the defendants violated 1692e(11) and 1692g by failing to include the required disclosures. The court first granted summary judgment for the defendants on the plaintiff’s 1692g claim. The defendants submitted an affidavit testifying that the law firm had sent a letter prior to the filing of the civil warrant and affidavit. Despite having no copy of the letter, the court found that the affidavit testifying that the records indicated a letter was sent and that the same disclosures are included in all correspondence was sufficient to prove the civil warrant and affidavit were not the initial communications because the plaintiff offered no evidence to dispute that fact. Next, the court looked at the plaintiff’s 1692e(11) claims and found that both the civil warrant and the sworn affidavit are formal pleadings. The court even went on to analyze a contrary finding in <em>Collins v. Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC</em>, No. 2:12-CV-138 (E.D. Tenn. June 7, 2013), and it picked apart its analysis there and found <em>Collins</em> is both non-binding and not persuasive. The court granted summary judgment in favor of defendants for the 1692e(11) and 1692g claims.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Fourth, the plaintiff claimed LVNV was responsible for the acts and omissions of the law firm it hired. The court found that the nature of the attorney-client relationship gives the client the power to control its agent. Thus, the court found simply that “LVNV may be held liable for any of [the law firm's] FDCPA violations, making summary judgment improper.”</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Finally, the court ruled on the plaintiff’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. The plaintiff moved for summary judgment on the licensing, disclosure, and wrong venue claims. The court had already dealt with the licensing and disclosures issues, finding in favor of the defendants, and only had the venue issue to address. Section 1692i(a)(2) of the FDCPA requires a debt collector to bring an action in the judicial district where the consumer signed the contract or where the debtor resides. The plaintiff argued that the civil warrant was issued in Knox County, but listed the residence as Sevier County. The defendants acknowledged that the civil warrant may have been filed in the wrong county, but that they had a good faith belief as to the plaintiff’s address based on credit reports. The court made no determination as to whether the defendants could carry the burden of proving the bona fide defense at trial, but found that they had created a genuine issue of material fact. The court denied plaintiff’s motion in its entirety.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">In conclusion, the only one of the plaintiff’s claims that survived was the 1692i(a)(2) claim.</font></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:8c3c2f51-b967-412a-b727-2c04084e0e2a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Debt+Defense+Lawyers" rel="tag">Tennessee Debt Defense Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Debt+Defense+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Debt Defense Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+Debt+Defense+Lawyer" rel="tag">Nashville Debt Defense Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+FDCPA+Lawyer" rel="tag">Nashville FDCPA Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+FDCPA+Lawyers" rel="tag">Tennessee FDCPA Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+FDCPA+Lawyers" rel="tag">Nashville FDCPA Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+FCRA+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee FCRA Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+FCRA+Lawyer" rel="tag">Nashville FCRA Lawyer</a></div> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-778363458275498652013-10-23T09:55:00.001-07:002013-10-23T09:55:13.972-07:00Sued By A Debt Collector in Tennessee?<p><a title="Tennessee Debt Collection Defense" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag"><img title="Consumer" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Consumer" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZWrMNfgKkGU/Umf9u4i7UfI/AAAAAAAACKc/0OAOUYsIHLM/Consumer%25255B5%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="444" height="132" /></a></p> <p><font color="#000000">Have you been sued in General Sessions Court in Tennessee by a <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">debt collector</a> or <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">debt purchaser</a>?  They go by many names such as <a href="http://www.bsattys.com/" target="_blank">CACH, LLC</a>, <a title="Tennessee Debt Collection Defense" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Cavalry SPV I</a>, <a title="Tennessee Debt Collection Defense" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Midland Funding, LLC</a>, <a title="Tennessee Debt Collection Defense Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Unifund CCR</a>, <a href="http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/" target="_blank">Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC</a>, and the list goes on and on.  Think that there is nothing you can do?  You’re mistaken to believe that.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">First, debt collectors and debt purchaser must comply with the <a title="Tennessee Debt Defense Lawyer" href="http://easttnconsumerlawyer.blogspot.com/2013/03/sued-by-cavalry-spv-i-cach-llc-midland.html" rel="tag" target="_blank">Tennessee Collection Services Act</a> in order to have standing to sue you.  Secondly, the must comport to the new provisions within <a title="Tennessee Debt Defense Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Tennessee Rule of Evidence 803</a>.  They do not.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000"><a title="Tennessee Consumer Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Jason Barnette, Esq.</a> routinely gets lawsuits filed in General Sessions Court, Circuit Court, and Chancery Court dismissed with prejudice.  If you’ve been sued by <a title="Fight Tennessee Debt Collectors" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Buffaloe and Associates, Morgan & Pottinger, McLemore & Edington, Thompson & Booth, Hosto and Buchan</a>, or any debt collection law firm either through a Civil Warrant in Debt, Summons, or even a simple letter, contact the <a title="Tennessee Debt Collection Defense Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Tennessee Debt Collection Defense Lawyers</a> at <a title="Tennessee Debt Collection Defense Lawyer" href="http://tennesseeconsumerlawyer.blogspot.com/2013/03/sued-by-cavalry-spv-i-cach-llc-midland_3.html" rel="tag" target="_blank">Barnette Law Offices</a> today.</font></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:98818269-50c6-44ae-9981-5f8001b80f6c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Debt+Collection+Defense" rel="tag">Tennessee Debt Collection Defense</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Debt+Collection+Defense+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Debt Collection Defense Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Consumer+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Consumer Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sued+in+General+Sessions+Court+in+Tennessee" rel="tag">Sued in General Sessions Court in Tennessee</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+Conumer+Lawyer" rel="tag">Nashville Conumer Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+Debt+Collection+Defense+Lawyer" rel="tag">Nashville Debt Collection Defense Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+Debt+Defense+Lawyer" rel="tag">Nashville Debt Defense Lawyer</a></div> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-2505885138288249862013-10-23T09:47:00.001-07:002013-10-23T09:47:57.097-07:00Sued By A Debt Collector in General Sessions?<p><a title="Tennessee Debt Collection Defense" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag"><img title="Consumer" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Consumer" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZWrMNfgKkGU/Umf9u4i7UfI/AAAAAAAACKc/0OAOUYsIHLM/Consumer%25255B5%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="444" height="132" /></a></p> <p><font color="#000000">Have you been sued in General Sessions Court in Tennessee by a <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">debt collector</a> or <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">debt purchaser</a>?  They go by many names such as <a href="http://www.bsattys.com/" target="_blank">CACH, LLC</a>, <a title="Tennessee Debt Collection Defense" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Cavalry SPV I</a>, <a title="Tennessee Debt Collection Defense" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Midland Funding, LLC</a>, <a title="Tennessee Debt Collection Defense Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Unifund CCR</a>, <a href="http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/" target="_blank">Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC</a>, and the list goes on and on.  Think that there is nothing you can do?  You’re mistaken to believe that.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">First, debt collectors and debt purchaser must comply with the <a title="Tennessee Debt Defense Lawyer" href="http://easttnconsumerlawyer.blogspot.com/2013/03/sued-by-cavalry-spv-i-cach-llc-midland.html" rel="tag" target="_blank">Tennessee Collection Services Act</a> in order to have standing to sue you.  Secondly, the must comport to the new provisions within <a title="Tennessee Debt Defense Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Tennessee Rule of Evidence 803</a>.  They do not.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000"><a title="Tennessee Consumer Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Jason Barnette, Esq.</a> routinely gets lawsuits filed in General Sessions Court, Circuit Court, and Chancery Court dismissed with prejudice.  If you’ve been sued by <a title="Fight Tennessee Debt Collectors" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Buffaloe and Associates, Morgan & Pottinger, McLemore & Edington, Thompson & Booth, Hosto and Buchan</a>, or any debt collection law firm either through a Civil Warrant in Debt, Summons, or even a simple letter, contact the <a title="Tennessee Debt Collection Defense Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Tennessee Debt Collection Defense Lawyers</a> at <a title="Tennessee Debt Collection Defense Lawyer" href="http://tennesseeconsumerlawyer.blogspot.com/2013/03/sued-by-cavalry-spv-i-cach-llc-midland_3.html" rel="tag" target="_blank">Barnette Law Offices</a> today.</font></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:98818269-50c6-44ae-9981-5f8001b80f6c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Debt+Collection+Defense" rel="tag">Tennessee Debt Collection Defense</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Debt+Collection+Defense+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Debt Collection Defense Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Consumer+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Consumer Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sued+in+General+Sessions+Court+in+Tennessee" rel="tag">Sued in General Sessions Court in Tennessee</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+Conumer+Lawyer" rel="tag">Nashville Conumer Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+Debt+Collection+Defense+Lawyer" rel="tag">Nashville Debt Collection Defense Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+Debt+Defense+Lawyer" rel="tag">Nashville Debt Defense Lawyer</a></div> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-82709654073990803432013-03-07T06:08:00.001-08:002013-03-07T06:08:34.882-08:00Credit Reports Contains Errors? Do Something About it - Call The Tennessee Fair Credit Reporting Act Lawyers!<p><font color="#333333">According to a study conducted by the United States Public Interest Research Group, <a title="Tennessee Credit Reporting Errors" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">more than 79 percent of credit reports from the national credit bureaus (Experian®, TransUnion®, and Equifax®)</a> contain either serious errors or mistakes. These errors have serious consequences on people, as <a title="Sue Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">credit reports</a> are used for everything from granting credit and setting interest rates to obtaining insurance and employment. </font></p> <p><font color="#333333">The <a title="Tennessee Fair Credit Reporting Act Lawyers" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Fair Credit Reporting Act</a> (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) is the federal legislation that regulates the credit reporting industry, including the national credit bureaus <a title="Sue the credit reporting agencies" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Equifax®, Experian®, and TransUnion®.</a> The Fair Credit Reporting Act, or “FCRA,” was enacted to protect <a title="Tennessee Fair Credit Reporting Act" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Tennessee consumers</a> from the damage that errors in their credit reports cause. While the FCRA established a very flawed mechanism used to “dispute” inaccuracies appearing on consumers' credit reports, this mechanism doesn’t often work. Once an inaccuracy (i.e. an account that is not the person's, but is showing up on his or her credit report, or an account that is reported as derogatory but was never past due, etc.) is disputed to the credit bureau that is reporting the inaccuracy, the credit bureau has 30 days to perform a <a title="Tennessee Credit Lawyers" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">reasonable investigation</a> of the disputed item. They usually don’t and thus, the item remains. The FCRA also requires that the credit bureau relay the consumer's dispute to the company that furnished the disputed information (called the “furnisher of information”) who then must also reasonably investigate the dispute. Again, this seldom occurs. Once the "investigation" is complete, the credit bureau must send an updated copy of the credit report to the consumer, showing the results of the investigation which usually convey that the item and/or items remain.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">The <a title="Sue credit reporting agencies in Tennessee" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">credit bureaus often fail to perform the reasonable investigation required by the FCRA</a>. When that happens, the consumer has a claim under 15 U.S.C. § 1681i. If the furnisher fails to perform a reasonable investigation, which also happens quite often, the consumer has a claim under 15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2(b). We at the <a title="Sue credit reporting agencies" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Tennessee Fair Credit Reporting Act</a> firm of <a title="Fix your credit reports in Tennessee" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Barnette Law Offices</a> sue both the credit reporting agencies and furnishers of information for these claims.  Our consultations are free and most cases are accepted on contingency plans.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">The FCRA also requires credit bureaus to follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of the credit reports they generate under 15 U.S.C. § 1681e(b). Despite this requirement, the credit bureaus often publish credit reports that contain obvious errors, such as when the credit bureaus combine the credit information of one consumer with that of another consumer who has a similar name and/or social security number. </font></p> <p><font color="#333333">If the credit bureau and/or furnisher negligently violate the FCRA, the consumer can recover his or her actual damages, plus attorneys' fees and expenses under 15 U.S.C. § 1681o. If the violation is willful, i.e. if it was done either intentionally or with reckless disregard, consumers can also recover punitive damages under 15 U.S.C. § 1681n.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">The typical lawsuits fall under three categories:</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">One is the identity theft victim, who has his or her identity stolen when the imposter opens credit cards, etc. using a fraudulent name and social security number. Of course, the identity thief doesn't pay the bill, resulting in the credit card being charged off and reported onto the identity theft victim's credit report as a bad credit item. The victim learns of the fraud account(s) when he or she is denied credit and requests a credit report to learn why. The victim then disputes the fraud account(s) but because the credit bureaus and furnishers almost never go beyond simply comparing the name and social security number of the victim to the name and social security number on the account (which in identity theft cases almost always match, hence the identity theft), the fraud accounts do not get removed, thus ruining the person's credit.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">Another common case is the mixed file case where the credit bureau mixes the credit files of two people with similar names and/or social security numbers. If one of these people has bad credit, it lands on the other person's credit report, ruining his or her credit. The same dispute process is used and sometimes works, but often just for a short while because, when the report is regenerated in the future, the same loose matching logic is used and the two credit files become mixed again.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">The last common case is when something is just misreported by the furnisher - i.e. a credit card company reports an account as late that, in fact, was never late. If the credit bureau and/or credit card company fails to correct the error after it is disputed to the credit reporting agency, the consumer has a claim under 15 U.S.C. § 1681i.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333"><a title="Tennessee Credit Lawyers" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Barnette Law Offices</a> is one of the few law firms in Tennessee that routinely represents consumers in <a title="Tennessee Credit Report Lawyers" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Fair Credit Reporting Act litigation</a> and one of the few such firms in the nation. </font></p> <p><font color="#333333">In addition to Tennessee, Barnette Law Offices has represented consumers in FCRA cases all over the nation, including cases in Texas, D.C. and Michigan.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">The recent amendments to the FCRA require the credit bureaus to each give you one free credit report per year. A website called www.annualcreditreport.com was set up to facilitate requesting your free credit reports. However, DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE as the credit bureaus insert arbitration clauses into your online requests for your credit report, which could potentially waive your right to a damages trial. To request your free credit report from each of the three national credit bureaus, use the written form (which does not contain an arbitration clause) which you can download from </font><a href="https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/requestformfinal.pdf"><font color="#333333">https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/requestformfinal.pdf</font></a><font color="#333333"> and then mail to the address on the form. </font></p> <p><font color="#333333">If you need to dispute errors on your credit report, write letters (sent certified mail, return receipt requested, if possible) disputing the errors to the following addresses: </font></p> <p><font color="#333333">Experian Information Solutions <br />701 Experian Pkwy <br />Allen, TX 75013</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">Equifax Information Services <br />P.O. Box 740241 <br />Atlanta, GA 30374</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">Trans Union <br />P.O. Box 2000 <br />Chester, PA 19022 </font></p> <p><font color="#333333">In your dispute letter to the credit bureau, be sure to include your full name, Social Security number, date of birth, address and phone number in your dispute letter and itemize each error/account that you are disputing. </font></p> <p><font color="#333333">To schedule a case consultation with our attorneys, </font><font color="#333333">contact <a title="Tennessee FCRA Lawyers" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Barnette Law Offices</a></font><font color="#333333"> today at <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank">615-585-2245</a> or <a href="mailto:info@barnettelawoffices.com">info@barnettelawoffices.com</a></font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b0e1e668-73ff-4a2e-bc0c-7ed061aa9f1a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Fair+Credit+Reporting+Act+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Fair Credit Reporting Act Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Credit+Report+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Credit Report Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sue+Credit+Reporting+Agencies+in+Tennessee" rel="tag">Sue Credit Reporting Agencies in Tennessee</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Credit+Lawyers" rel="tag">Tennessee Credit Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Fix+Credit+Report+in+Tennessee" rel="tag">Fix Credit Report in Tennessee</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+FCRA+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee FCRA Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+FCRA+Litigation" rel="tag">Tennessee FCRA Litigation</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sue+Experian+in+Tennessee" rel="tag">Sue Experian in Tennessee</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sue+Transunion+in+Tennessee" rel="tag">Sue Transunion in Tennessee</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sue+Equifax+in+Tennessee" rel="tag">Sue Equifax in Tennessee</a></div> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-16690332805342172782013-03-07T05:32:00.001-08:002013-03-07T05:32:42.059-08:00Midland Credit Management Calling? Call Us!<p><font color="#333333">If <a title="Telephone Consumer Protection Act" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Midland Credit Management or Midland Funding</a> is calling you on your cell phone or sending you letters for collection, call us at <a title="Stop Midland Funding in Tennessee" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Barnette Law Offices</a> at <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank">615-585-2245</a>.  First, it is usually unlawful for them to call you under the <a title="Debt Collection Defense" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Telephone Consumer Protection Act</a> with each violation being worth $500.00 to $1,500.00.  Secondly, it is just annoying.  Third, if they are sending you letters or calling, that is a violation of the <a title="Tennessee Telephone Consumer Protection Act Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Fair Debt Collection Practices Act</a> because they – Midland Funding – do not have a <a title="Tennessee Collection Services Act" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Tennessee Collection Services License</a> necessary to collect from <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">Tennessee consumers</a>.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">If you’ve been contacted by Midland Funding, LLC, <a href="http://www.bsattys.com/" target="_blank">CACH, LLC</a>, Asset Acceptance, Cavalry Portfolio or any other <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">debt collector</a>, call us today before they sue you in your local General Sessions Court.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">Our consultations are free and most cases are accepted on contingencies.</font></p> <p><a title="Tennessee Debt Collection Defense" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="consumer header" border="0" alt="consumer header" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcM0TYYXHzKEoDPmodBDVz4CzwZMHASsvwrKnRfFOC2kK2tdaqrKqG5LLWnmk4jTh6nDPYdw10EwP6CB2xoFtmqjIKdX7dWAxPkxeXe_UDFq9ORt2iU-MagtZ12aBzbyUyFYjpgHugnouu/?imgmax=800" width="439" height="133" /></a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e996a809-932f-476c-8619-8587ab5cef65" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Telephone+Consumer+Protection+Act" rel="tag">Tennessee Telephone Consumer Protection Act</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/MIDLAND+FUNDING" rel="tag">MIDLAND FUNDING</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/CACH+LLC" rel="tag">CACH LLC</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ASSET+ACCEPTANCE" rel="tag">ASSET ACCEPTANCE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/CAVALRY+PORTFOLIO" rel="tag">CAVALRY PORTFOLIO</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DEBT+COLLECTION+DEFENSE" rel="tag">DEBT COLLECTION DEFENSE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/TENNESSEE+COLLECTION+SERVICES+ACT" rel="tag">TENNESSEE COLLECTION SERVICES ACT</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/NASHVILLE+CONSUMER+LAWYER" rel="tag">NASHVILLE CONSUMER LAWYER</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/TENNESSEE+CONSUMER+LAWYER" rel="tag">TENNESSEE CONSUMER LAWYER</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/TENNESSEE+TELEPHONE+CONSUMER+PROTECTION+ACT+LAWYER" rel="tag">TENNESSEE TELEPHONE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT LAWYER</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/TENNESSEE+FAIR+DEBT+COLLECTION+PRACTICES+ACT+LAWYER" rel="tag">TENNESSEE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT LAWYER</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/TENNESSEE+FAIR+CREDIT+REPORTING+ACT+LAWYER" rel="tag">TENNESSEE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT LAWYER</a></div> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-31779998783274392712013-03-03T18:12:00.001-08:002013-03-03T18:12:15.263-08:00SUED BY CAVALRY SPV I, CACH, LLC, MIDLAND FUNDING, ASSET ACCEPTANCE IN TENNESSEE?<p><font color="#333333">Have you been sued by </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#333333">CACH, LLC, Midland Funding, LLC, Cavalry Portfolio Services (Cavalry SPV I), or another debt purchaser in Tennessee</font></a><font color="#333333">? Think there is nothing you can do as a </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#333333">Tennessee consumer</font></a><font color="#333333"> to defend yourself? Well, there is something you can do to defend yourself and </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#333333">counter-claim Tennessee debt purchasers</font></a><font color="#333333">.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">Under the </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#333333">Tennessee Collection Services Act</font></a><font color="#333333">, debt purchasers such as </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#333333">LVNV Funding, Portfolio Recovery Associates, Calvary Portfolio Services, Asset Acceptance and all others must have a collection license</font></a><font color="#333333"> and meet other certain requirements in order to lawfully be able to sue you. Most, if not all, debt purchasers are in violation of the </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#333333">Tennessee Collection Services Act</font></a><font color="#333333"> because they do not meet even half of the requirements. Indeed, </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#333333">CACH, LLC, Midland Funding, and many other debt purchasers in Tennessee</font></a><font color="#333333"> do not even have licenses.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">What does this mean, 1) </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#333333">Tennessee consumer lawyer Jason Barnette</font></a><font color="#333333"> can get the case filed against you dismissed; and, 2) in some cases, </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#333333">Tennessee FDCPA and FCRA lawyer Jason Barnette</font></a><font color="#333333"> can recoup damages for you against the debt purchaser that has unlawfully sued you.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">If you’ve been </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#333333">sued in Tennessee</font></a><font color="#333333"> by any of the above, particularly </font><a title="Cavalry SPV I" href="http://www.cavalryportfolioservices.com/" rel="tag" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">Cavalry SPV I</font></a><font color="#333333">, call us at </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/"><font color="#333333">615-585-2245</font></a><font color="#333333"> or visit us at </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#333333">Tennessee FDCPA and FCRA Lawyers</font></a><font color="#333333">.</font></p> <p><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#333333"><img title="header_barnettelaw" border="0" alt="header_barnettelaw" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmGpkQ2Gi4T0wBMwmEoZB62vhnzWwsuxVZ5DAztgYU3Z1oz7VTqBi3A0eBWZrO-8DPeyDm_1TRcQDkKNlNjxUPjedcA8o-AOOyAtyfuJ-0q1fWlw5Q6o6AchJ4Ik_TJpYcxmWQsX0NRY/?imgmax=800" width="455" height="151" /></font></a></p> <p><font color="#333333">Technorati Tags: </font><a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+FDCPA+Lawyer"><font color="#333333">Tennessee FDCPA Lawyer</font></a><font color="#333333">,</font><a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+FCRA+Lawyer"><font color="#333333">Tennessee FCRA Lawyer</font></a><font color="#333333">,</font><a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Consumer+Lawyer"><font color="#333333">Tennessee Consumer Lawyer</font></a><font color="#333333">,</font><a href="http://technorati.com/tags/CACH+LLC"><font color="#333333">CACH LLC</font></a><font color="#333333">,</font><a href="http://technorati.com/tags/MIDLAND+FUNDING"><font color="#333333">MIDLAND FUNDING</font></a><font color="#333333">, </font><a title="Cavalry SPV I" href="http://www.cavalryportfolioservices.com/" rel="tag" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">Cavalry SPV I</font></a><font color="#333333">, </font><a title="Asset Acceptance" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">Asset Acceptance</font></a></p> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-35745036113582786992013-01-26T15:38:00.001-08:002013-01-26T15:38:23.311-08:00Tennessee Foreclosure Defense<p><font color="#333333"><a title="Tennessee Foreclosure Defense" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" rel="tag" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="consumer header" border="0" alt="consumer header" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgW2KXW7IOE8xw6_DoIKcGgNdBotY1T_SxjXQCyLn9vbtv6HI7aLudfeBm3Zc1MZHQfPOOMyNC5cyFShu7ge1fksSV4t1yFNZd-oNGKXb8HsGmgnW4h8HwTzbdWwFDN00GMvWtidN-y-H/?imgmax=800" width="401" height="157" /></a> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e31d3c42-210e-4235-b546-84a541ba741e" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Foreclosure+Defense+Lawyers" rel="tag">Tennessee Foreclosure Defense Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Foreclosure+Defense" rel="tag">Tennessee Foreclosure Defense</a></div> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:58fb2296-b551-4c5b-be7e-01838be88852" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Foreclosure+Lawyers" rel="tag">Tennessee Foreclosure Lawyers</a></div> </font></p> <p><font color="#333333">Are you facing a <a title="Tennessee Foreclosure Defense Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" rel="tag" target="_blank">foreclosure in Tennessee</a>?  Have you been foreclosed upon in Tennessee and are now facing a unlawful detainer suit from the bank?  If so, the <a title="Tennessee Foreclosure Defense" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" rel="tag" target="_blank">Tennessee Foreclosure Defense Lawyers</a> at <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">Barnette Law Offices</a> may be able to help you keep your home.  </font></p> <p><font color="#333333">How do we accomplish this: we use the carrot and the stick.  </font><font color="#333333">The carrot is clients that can afford the mortgage and just need a second chance<strong>.</strong>  Do not call us if you’re foolish enough to believe “free houses” actually exist.  </font><font color="#333333">The stick is suing mortgage companies (and Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac) when they have violated the law.  They face money damages if we win.  They may face having to pay our hourly rate of $425.00 for every hour we work on the case.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">So we use the positive (“get paid by the clients”) and the negative (“let’s try the case in front of a jury”) and if everybody will act reasonably, then the case can be settled with the foreclosure undone.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">Bottom line — it may not be too late before of after a foreclosure for you to be able to avoid the foreclosure or to get rid of the foreclosure. You have to act in the right time, and you have to have the right type of case, but if you do then you certainly have the opportunity to void out the foreclosure so it will be viewed as never having happened.</font></p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#333333">If you have questions about your options in Tennessee, give us a call at 615-585-2245 or contact us at <a title="Tennessee Foreclosure Defense Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Barnette Law Offices</a></font><a href="http://www.alabamaconsumer.com/contact-us/"><font color="#333333">.</font></a></p></blockquote> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-55736354364265620162013-01-26T14:43:00.001-08:002013-01-26T14:43:59.986-08:00Debt Collector Harassment in Tennessee<h5><font color="#333333">Autodialed calls and robo calls from debt collectors in Tennessee</font></h5> <p><a title="Debt Collector Abuse Tennessee" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" rel="tag" target="_blank"><font color="#333333"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="consumer header" border="0" alt="consumer header" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2ZVQDU_XSFg/UQRcLpamypI/AAAAAAAABZc/H8zYInFagEI/consumer%252520header%25255B5%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="494" height="144" /></font></a></p> <p><font color="#333333">Are debt collectors harassing you in Tennessee?  Are they calling your cell phone?  Know this: impermissible robocalls are important because they can violate the The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The TCPA provides wide protection against robocalls, calls using automatic dialers, and automated messages. For the most part, the TCPA comes into play when debt collectors make collection calls to consumer cell phones. If a debt collector makes impermissible robocalls to a consumer’s cell phone, the debt collector is liable for $500 per call. If it can be proven that the calls are willful, the damages are $1,500 per call.  If a </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">debt collector</font></a><font color="#333333"> such as </font><a href="http://www.hosto.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">Midland Funding, LLC</font></a><font color="#333333">, </font><a href="http://www.bsattys.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">CACH, LLC</font></a><font color="#333333">, </font><a href="http://www.assetacceptance.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">Asset Acceptance, LLC</font></a><font color="#333333">, </font><a href="http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC</font></a><font color="#333333">, </font><a href="http://www.lvnvfunding.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">LVNV Funding</font></a><font color="#333333">, etc., is harassing you, contact </font><a title="Stop Debt Collectors in Tennessee" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" rel="tag" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">Tennessee Telephone Consumer Protection Act</font></a><font color="#333333"> lawyer Jason Barnette at </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">Barnette Law Offices</font></a><font color="#333333"> </font></p> <p><font color="#333333">The trickiest part to proving a TCPA violation is the issue of consent—whether there was consent to call a consumer’s cellphone. In 2008, the FCC determined that there must be </font><a href="http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-232A1.pdf"><font color="#333333">prior written consent</font></a><font color="#333333"> in order to call a consumer’s cellphone. In that declaratory order, the FCC also explained that the creditor bears the burden of establishing consent, as they are in the best position to prove that.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">In a more recent decision, however, a Federal Court of Appeals refined that definition, holding that consent is only given if the consumer provided their cellphone number at the time of the credit application. In addition, the application must relate to the debt that is being collected on. In other words, if you did not list your cellphone on your original credit card application, you may not have consented.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">In many cases, it’s easy to prove there was no consent, because the consumer did not even have a cellphone, or their current cellphone number, when they opened the account.</font></p> <h5><font color="#333333">Are you receiving illegal robocalls?</font></h5> <p><font color="#333333">If you receive more four a calls a day on your cellphone from a debt collector, a debt collector may be calling you with an autodialer or computer program. If you answer a call and nobody is there, that’s another sign of an autodialer. Or if you receive voicemails from a debt collector with a prerecorded message or part of the message includes a computerized voice, you might be receiving robocalls.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">As noted above, however, there is still an issue of whether you provided express consent to receive the calls.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333">If you think you are receiving robocalls, it’s a good idea to contact Jason Barnette and </font><a title="Tennessee Consumer Rights" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank"><font color="#333333">Barnette Law Offices</font></a><font color="#333333">. We can help you figure out if you are receiving robocalls, what your rights are, and what the next steps are.</font></p> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-72608089229855313112013-01-23T15:32:00.001-08:002013-01-23T15:32:25.252-08:00HAVE YOU BEEN SUED BY A DEBT COLLECTOR IN TENNESSEE?<h5> </h5> <p><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/"><font color="#333333"><img title="header_consumerprotection" border="0" alt="header_consumerprotection" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_e0PCd_BDE0A/S4GEBTbyfrI/AAAAAAAAA8M/rblH9QfR5kU/header_consumerprotection%5B10%5D.gif?imgmax=800" width="349" height="152" /></font></a></p> <p><font color="#333333">Debt collectors use the General Sessions Courts of Tennessee as a hunting ground to illegally obtain money from Tennessee consumers. This is because there are very few law firms such as </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/"><font color="#333333">Barnette Law Offices, LLC</font></a><font color="#333333"> in Tennessee which will fight for consumers in Tennessee Courts.</font></p> <p><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/"><img title="prelim" border="0" alt="prelim" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_e0PCd_BDE0A/S4GECH0snlI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/KDf6AjxDyzw/prelim%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="140" height="95" /></a> <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/"><img title="Davidson County Criminal Court" border="0" alt="Davidson County Criminal Court" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_e0PCd_BDE0A/S4GECV3WmuI/AAAAAAAAA8U/kP8jjB5_Z2k/Davidson%20County%20Criminal%20Court%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="124" height="138" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/"><font color="#333333">Jason Barnette and his Tennessee Consumer Protection team at Barnette Law Offices, LLC</font></a><font color="#333333"> know the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and most importantly, the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act inside and out. </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/"><font color="#333333">Tennessee Consumer Protection Attorney Jason Barnette</font></a><font color="#333333"> will utilize the aforesaid Acts to fight for you against debt collectors and purchasers. </font></p> <p><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/"><font color="#333333"><img title="Debt Collect" border="0" alt="Debt Collect" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_e0PCd_BDE0A/S4GEDFxApoI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/S1DbEBkF45w/Debt%20Collect%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="125" height="117" /></font></a><font color="#333333"> </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/"><font color="#333333"><img title="debt law" border="0" alt="debt law" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWQUmUg1HOG10dekg3blheMuVaR7DztK5zEBi2lyeHX3EtB7IBI5h0XlwI7TdNfHJm5D0Bs3ZW1H4gWWSW1iw5VNQUCDSZowYn_lvzN3TOSnp8FdlkJ-mj2_OU-6p-2sDct8rkN1REMw/?imgmax=800" width="138" height="88" /></font></a></p> <p><font color="#333333">Contrary to popular belief, debt collectors and debt purchasers must prove what they allege in their Warrants in Debt. At </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/"><font color="#333333">Barnette Law Offices, LLC</font></a><font color="#333333"> we attack the Affidavits debt collectors and debt purchasers try to put on as proof. They are hearsay. Moreover, we assert counter-claims on our clients behalf for violations of the FCRA, FDCPA, and TCPA. This is because debt collectors and debt purchasers always report inaccuracies on consumer credit reports, fail to properly validate debts and take misleading and deceptive acts in an effort to collect monies not justly owed to them.</font></p> <p><strong><font color="#333333">Please contact </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/"><font color="#333333">the Tennessee Consumer Protection team at Barnette Law Offices, LLC</font></a><font color="#333333"> at 615-585-2245 or </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#333333">http://www.barnettelawoffices.com</font></a><font color="#333333"> if you’ve been sued by debt collectors such as Arrow Financial, Midland Funding, Asset Acceptance, Calvary Portfolio, Gault Financial, etc. We can help you defeat the suit and often times, put cash in your pocket at the same time.</font></strong></p> <p><font color="#333333">Technorati Tags: </font><a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Consumer+Protection+Attorney"><font color="#333333">Tennessee Consumer Attorney</font></a><font color="#333333">, </font><a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Consumer+Lawyer"><font color="#333333">Tennessee Consumer Lawyer</font></a><font color="#333333">, </font><a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Consumer+Protection+Lawyer"><font color="#333333">Tennessee Consumer Protection Lawyer</font></a><font color="#333333">,  </font><a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Jason+Barnette"><font color="#333333">Jason Barnette</font></a><font color="#333333">, </font><a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Barnette+Law+Offices+LLC"><font color="#333333">Barnette Law Offices LLC</font></a></p> <p><font color="#333333">Labels:</font><a href="http://barnettelawoffice.blogspot.com/search/label/Tennessee%20Consumer%20Lawyer"><font color="#333333">Tennessee Consumer Lawyer</font></a><font color="#333333">, </font><a href="http://barnettelawoffice.blogspot.com/search/label/Tennessee%20Consumer%20Protection%20Lawyer"><font color="#333333">Tennessee Consumer Protection Lawyer</font></a></p> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-11990329696392594172013-01-12T18:03:00.001-08:002013-01-12T18:03:28.455-08:00Tennessee FDCPA Lawyers<p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:ffbce7d4-4361-4e40-9256-baf1ccaada6a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+FDCPA+Lawyers" rel="tag">Tennessee FDCPA Lawyers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Stop+Tennessee+Debt+Collection" rel="tag">Stop Tennessee Debt Collection</a></div> <a title="Tennessee Consumer Protection" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="header_barnettelaw" border="0" alt="header_barnettelaw" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0hbfAq4Eicis2KNoRBTJqIYcHR6-e4riAPB9EkZJ4yj5TKVIvQIutWC7JvSAlemdEbHJxS-rq7sr98cRBDnTqduroF1TE3AWY1CJOBJY9Mvqg7Ed2Lz4Vp17q_yLkq_yKUlTFhqoP12m/?imgmax=800" width="448" height="141" /></a> <p><font color="#000000">Has a <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">debt collector</a> or <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">debt purchaser</a> contacted or sued you?  Are you a <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">consumer in Tennessee</a> and need to <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">stop unlawful debt collection</a> action taken against you?  If so, contact <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">Tennessee Consumer Protection</a> lawyer Jason Barnette at <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">Barnette Law Offices</a> to stand up for your rights.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Did you know that <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">in Tennessee, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act</a> imposes a standard of conduct that debt collectors and debt purchasers such as <a href="http://www.bsattys.com/" target="_blank">CACH, LLC</a>, <a href="http://www.assetacceptance.com/" target="_blank">Asset Acceptance, LLC</a>, <a href="http://www.hosto.com/" target="_blank">Midland Funding, LLC</a>, <a href="http://www.portfoliorecovery.com/" target="_blank">Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC</a>, <a href="http://www.lvnvfunding.com/" target="_blank">LVNV Funding</a>, and many more are supposed to abide by, but often do not.  Generally, neither debt collectors  or debt purchasers  can engage in harassing, abusive or unfair practices, nor make false or misleading statements; which includes inaccurate reporting on your credit reports.  The <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">FDCPA</a> provides that <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">Tennessee consumers</a> can recover actual damages</font> <font color="#000000">incurred by a violation of the Act, plus an additional amount up to $1,000, plus attorney fees. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Contact the <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">Tennessee FDCPA lawyers</a> at <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank">615-585-2245</a> or <a href="mailto:info@barnettelawoffices.com">info@barnettelawoffices.com</a></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"> </font></p> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-45502890172721276872013-01-11T16:24:00.001-08:002013-01-11T16:24:13.568-08:00Tennessee FCRA Lawyer<p><font color="#000000"><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="header_barnettelaw" border="0" alt="header_barnettelaw" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GFaYCt_32KU/UPCtK9OkxlI/AAAAAAAABXQ/PtKoAL3acIA/header_barnettelaw%25255B5%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="435" height="151" /></a></font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Are you a <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">Tennessee resident that has been denied for credit</a>?  Do you know what is on your credit reports?  If so, are there inaccuracies?  Are these inaccuracies preventing you from getting the credit you need</font><font color="#000000">?  </font></p> <p><font color="#000000"><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">If you live in Tennessee and inaccuracies on your credit reports contact us</a>.  <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank">Barnette Law Offices</a> in Nashville has helped many Tennessee consumers correct their credit reports and obtain compensation for damages they’ve incurred from the errors that had to first be corrected.  The end result could be that you have the errors corrected that you need corrected or deleted, you obtain the financing you would have absent the errors, and that you are compensated for any damages suffered.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Any <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">Tennessee consumer</a> has the right under the <a href="http://ww.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">Fair Credit Reporting Act</a> to dispute any information which is inaccurate and/or incomplete.  If such information is verified as being accurate and/or complete, the furnisher of information; i.e., a debt collector, debt purchaser, creditor directly, etc., can be held liable under the <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">Fair Credit Reporting Act in Tennessee</a>.  </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">If you are a <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.coom" target="_blank">Tennessee consumer with credit reporting problems</a> first dispute the problems through the major three credit reporting agencies which are <a href="http://www.equifax.com" target="_blank">Equifax</a>, <a href="http://www.experian.com" target="_blank">Experian</a>, and <a href="http://www.transunion.com" target="_blank">Trans Union</a>.  If the item is verified and is still inaccurate, contact <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">Tennessee FCRA Lawyer Jason Barnette</a> at <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank">615-585-2245</a> or <a href="mailto:info@barnettelawoffices.com">info@barnettelawoffices.com</a>.  </font></p> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-33438888526369713152013-01-04T16:42:00.001-08:002013-01-04T16:42:59.403-08:00Sued by CACH, LLC, Midland Funding, LLC, Asset Acceptance, or a Debt Purchaser in Tennessee?<p><font color="#000000">Have you been sued by <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">CACH, LLC, Midland Funding, Asset Acceptance, or another debt purchaser in Tennessee</a>? Think there is nothing you can do as a <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">Tennessee consumer</a> to defend yourself?  Well, there is something you can do to defend yourself and <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">counter-claim Tennessee debt purchasers</a>.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Under the <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">Tennessee Collection Services Act</a>, debt purchasers such as <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">LVNV Funding, Portfolio Recovery Associates, Calvary Portfolio must have a collection license</a> and meet other certain requirements in order to lawfully be able to sue you.  Most, if not all, debt purchasers are in violation of the <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">Tennessee Collection Services Act</a> because they do not meet even half of the requirements.  Indeed, <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">CACH, LLC, Midland Funding, and many other debt purchasers in Tennessee</a> do not even have licenses.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">What does this mean, 1) <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">Tennessee consumer lawyer Jason Barnette</a> can get the case filed against you dismissed; and, 2) in some cases, <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">Tennessee FDCPA and FCRA lawyer Jason Barnette</a> can recoup damages for you against the debt purchaser that has unlawfully sued you.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">If you’ve been <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">sued in Tennessee</a>, call us at <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank">615-585-2245</a> or visit us at <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank">Tennessee FDCPA and FCRA Lawyers</a>.</font></p> <p><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="header_barnettelaw" border="0" alt="header_barnettelaw" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmGpkQ2Gi4T0wBMwmEoZB62vhnzWwsuxVZ5DAztgYU3Z1oz7VTqBi3A0eBWZrO-8DPeyDm_1TRcQDkKNlNjxUPjedcA8o-AOOyAtyfuJ-0q1fWlw5Q6o6AchJ4Ik_TJpYcxmWQsX0NRY/?imgmax=800" width="455" height="151" /></a> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:0c9d24c4-d21f-47af-885b-c12bbfb2e96a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+FDCPA+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee FDCPA Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+FCRA+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee FCRA Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Consumer+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Consumer Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/CACH+LLC" rel="tag">CACH LLC</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/MIDLAND+FUNDING" rel="tag">MIDLAND FUNDING</a></div></p> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-10245167788518672462012-12-26T07:26:00.001-08:002012-12-26T07:26:03.413-08:00DEBT COLLECTORS CALLING YOUR CELL PHONE–CALL BARNETTE LAW OFFICES TODAY!<p><font color="#000000">Are </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#000000">debt collectors and/or debt purchasers calling you on your cell phone</font></a><font color="#000000">?  Did you ever give them permission to do so?  Do you live in Tennessee?</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">If the answers to the above three questions are yes, then call </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#000000">Jason Barnette</font></a><font color="#000000"> at </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#000000">the Tennessee debt collection protection firm</font></a><font color="#000000"> of </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#000000">Barnette Law Offices</font></a><font color="#000000">.  Did you know that it is unlawful for a debt purchaser or debt collector to call you on your cell phone -  or residential line - without your consent under the </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#000000">Telephone Communication Protection Act</font></a><font color="#000000">.  Each time they do, it can be worth $500.00 to $1,500.00 pursuant to the </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#000000">Telephone Communications Practices Act</font></a><font color="#000000">.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Call us at </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#000000">Barnette Law Offices</font></a><font color="#000000"> to make them stop and – potentially – make them pay for your damages at </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#000000">615-585-2245</font></a><font color="#000000">, </font><a href="mailto:info@barnettelawoffices.com"><font color="#000000">info@</font>barnettelawoffices.com</a><font color="#000000"> or at </font><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank"><font color="#000000">http://www.barnettelawoffices.com</font></a><font color="#000000">.</font></p> <p><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="consumer header" border="0" alt="consumer header" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mg09GHl5mgM/UNsXCXNGgsI/AAAAAAAABWQ/czp13SQyg3M/consumer%252520header%25255B5%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="546" height="176" /></a> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:8bc1b8b1-9b6c-43bb-8a55-05438873e70f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Telephone+Communication+Protection+Act" rel="tag">Telephone Communication Protection Act</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Debt+Protection+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Debt Protection Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Telephone+Communnictation+Protection+Act" rel="tag">Tennessee Telephone Communnictation Protection Act</a></div> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-40754075906538705072012-12-22T09:08:00.001-08:002012-12-22T09:08:07.849-08:00Sued by a Debt Purchaser in Tennessee?<p><font color="#000000">Barnette Law Offices is accepting new clientele which have been sued by Debt Purchasers – or in some cases originally creditors – throughout the General Sessions, Circuit, and Chancery Courts of Tennessee.  We offer aggressive defense against such claims and where applicable, assert counter-claims under the FDCPA and FCRA.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Call us at <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank">615-585-2245</a> or contact <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank">Tennessee Consumer Protection Lawyer Jason Barnette</a> at <a href="mailto:info@barnettelawoffices.com">info@barnettelawoffices.com</a></font></p> <p><a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="consumer header" border="0" alt="consumer header" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JD06SiW1pAfceeofx496VLxBbsDgE9k9g4EwabMZXjHJ3N7LRvV6RQ2enmrRlWOotrOxOvVv-SUtFwnNdToXFThQi8K7aon5rf7KQrj_7uuAhVoJR3b8LWS4jBerCbLXL-wUQOVT-OrG/?imgmax=800" width="356" height="144" /></a></p> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-30368510730878040212012-07-13T08:01:00.001-07:002012-07-13T08:01:13.461-07:00LVNV Funding–Tennessee Court of Appeals<p><font color="#000000">In a recent case of <u>LVNV Funding, LLC v. Kevin Mastaw</u>, the Tennessee Court of Appeals at Nashville struck a blow to all debt purchasers that sue Tennessee consumers.  No. M2011-00990-COA-R3-CV - Filed April 30, 2012.  The Court got it right and affirmed our position that – essentially – robo-signed Affidavits on sworn accounts are indeed hearsay inasmuch as they are not “business records”.  The ruling can be reviewed at <a title="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/lvnvfunding_opn.pdf" href="http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/lvnvfunding_opn.pdf">http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/lvnvfunding_opn.pdf</a></font></p> <p><font color="#000000">When defending <a title="Tennessee Consumer Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Tennessee consumers</a>, we always object to any debt purchaser’s attempt to introduce Affidavits that are once removed or even twice removed from the personal knowledge of the witness.  While, <a title="Tennessee Consumer Law" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Jason Barnette</a> “typically” gets most cases dismissed before hearing, he has made the argument time and time again that Affidavits submitted by debt purchasers are prepared for litigation and are therefore, not subject to the business record exception to hearsay.  Our Court of Appeals confirmed that.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">What does that mean for you if you’ve been sued <a title="Tennessee Consumer Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">by LVNV, Portfolio Recovery Associates, CACH LLC, Gault, Midland Funding or any host of other debt purchasers</a>?  It means that in order to win, a debt purchaser must now authenticate any document they intend to use to prove up the debt through witness testimony and said witness better of personal knowledge as to the contents of the documents.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">If you’ve been sued by a debt purchaser or have one hounding you through a law firm, contact <a title="Tennessee Consumer Law" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Jason Barnette</a> at Barnette Law Offices.  We can be reached at 615-585-2245 and <a title="Tennessee Consumer Lawyer" href="mailto:info@barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">info@barnettelawoffices.com</a>.</font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:7daed065-2508-4938-86fd-7c3197bd04f5" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Consumer+Law" rel="tag">Tennessee Consumer Law</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Consumer+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Consumer Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Fight+Debt+Purchasers" rel="tag">Fight Debt Purchasers</a></div> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-23258089158995071232012-06-26T04:00:00.001-07:002012-06-26T04:03:38.895-07:00Debt Purchasers–If You’ve Been Sued Call Us!<p><font color="#000000">Have you been sued in a General Sessions Court in Tennessee?  Is the Plaintiff a debt purchaser?  If so, call <a title="Tennessee Consumer Protection" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">us</a> at 615-585-2245 or email us at <a href="mailto:info@barnettelawoffices.com">info@barnettelawoffices.com</a>.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Debt purchasers go by many names – Portfolio Recovery Associates, Midland Funding, Asset Acceptance, CACH, LLC, LVNV, Gault Financial – but there are many.  Essentially, they all have the same business model.  Buy old credit card debts – or any debt really – for cents on the dollar and sue you for it.  However, you have options and <a title="Tennessee Consumer Protection Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Jason Barnette - Tennessee Consumer Protection Attorney – </a>will fully explain those to you during  a free consultation.</font></p> <p><a title="Tennessee Consumer Protection Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="header_barnettelaw" border="0" alt="header_barnettelaw" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Jp0xrIFER3Q/T-mWZsrHi4I/AAAAAAAABSM/fUvo_I2KcDs/header_barnettelaw%25255B5%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="448" height="153" /></a></p> <p><font color="#000000">Debt purchasers – regardless of their name – must show a chain of title in order to prove up their claim.  This is often difficult for them.  Moreover, they typically must authenticate said chain of title through witness testimony.  Some may argue that their affidavits are not hearsay and rather, “business records” but do businesses; i.e., make affidavits for all the accounts they have?  Of course, no they don’t because such documents are prepared for litigation alone.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Furthermore, debt purchasers are subject to the <a title="Stop Debt Collection in Tennessee" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag" target="_blank">Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and the Tennessee Collection Services Act</a>.  Chances are, the debt purchaser that is now suing you has violated one of the Acts cited above.  Indeed, they may not even be lawfully permitted to sue you in Tennessee.</font></p> <p><a title="Tennessee Debt Collection Protection" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" rel="tag"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="debt purchaser" border="0" alt="debt purchaser" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JzqKGsm1ySQ/T-mWaZecFqI/AAAAAAAABSU/fukLyMemrlw/debt%252520purchaser%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="256" /></a></p> <p><font color="#000000">If you’ve been sued by a debt purchaser, call us at 615-585-2245 or email us at <a href="mailto:info@barnettelawoffices.com">info@barnettelawoffices.com</a>.  We can help.</font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e95510cb-32d5-47b7-b974-28ad7ca8354c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Consumer+Protection+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Consumer Protection Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Fight+Debt+Purchasers" rel="tag">Fight Debt Purchasers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nashville+Consumer+Protection+Lawyer" rel="tag">Nashville Consumer Protection Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Consumer+Law" rel="tag">Tennessee Consumer Law</a></div> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589903584827231483.post-553826556882966152012-04-17T14:40:00.001-07:002012-04-17T14:43:07.361-07:00BEEN SUED BY A DEBT PURCHASER?<p><a title="Tennessee Consumer Protection Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank" rel="tag"><img title="header_consumerprotection" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="152" alt="header_consumerprotection" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14a_93kGkkA30GZEn7-tUnpNvLst-3X60YdFc_PLzZ-mlJhH-NzrwWFuw7GaA3Ny6DU50OnLe_sPlIpp4cS6vn0UwGyyZDfy00YcUspc17XOuCamOTyE0FTNEK4M-uD8NErQsrObzVky4/?imgmax=800" width="349" border="0" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font color="#000000">Debt purchasers such as Midland Funding, LLC, Cavalry Portfolio Services, Gault Financial, Portfolio Recovery Associates, CACH, LLC, etc., use the General Sessions Courts of Tennessee to frequently sue consumers who may have defaulted on an account long ago.  Unfortunately, many of said consumers do not know what to do and simply fail to appear.  This is because most people feel that there is nothing they can do and moreover, there are very few attorneys such as <a title="Tennessee Consumer Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank" rel="tag">Jason Barnette</a> in Tennessee which assist consumers when they’ve been sued.</font></p> <p><a title="Tennessee Consumer Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank" rel="tag"><img title="prelim" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="125" alt="prelim" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eJjMNECFwV8/S4GDeGEr_CI/AAAAAAAABP4/6iMOV_rb9sU/prelim%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="132" border="0" /></a> <a title="Tennessee Consumer Protection Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank" rel="tag"><img title="Davidson County Criminal Court" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="125" alt="Davidson County Criminal Court" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ABSzWXWjHdg/S4GDemd708I/AAAAAAAABP8/_o-Mf-6K9pU/Davidson%252520County%252520Criminal%252520Court%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="139" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font color="#000000">Many times these junk debt purchasers will not have sufficient evidence.  They all file what are called “sworn accounts” which is essentially a Summons to appear on an account that someone has sworn an affidavit wherein they state the consumer owes the account and what amount.  However, the Tennessee Rules of Evidence do apply as does the Tennessee Collection Services Act.  Moreover, some debt purchasers violate consumer protection statutes by illegally collecting, collecting “actively” without a collection service license, and unlawfully reporting inaccurate information upon a consumers credit reports.  In short, you can successfully defend and even file counter-complaints if sued by a debt purchaser.</font></p> <p><a title="Tennessee consumer lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank" rel="tag">Jason Barnette focuses on consumer protection</a> <font color="#000000">in defending consumers against debt purchasers.  He knows that an affidavit can be rebutted through a sworn denial.  He is aware that someone must authenticate any affidavit submitted as evidence in support of a sworn account.  He knows that affidavits should not be construed as business records – an exception to the hearsay rule – should a witness for a debt purchaser fail to appear.  Furthermore, he is cognizant that a right of assignment should be presented to show a chain of title that permits a debt purchaser to act as a real party in interest.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Moreover,</font> <a title="Tennessee consumer lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank" rel="tag">Tennessee consumer protection lawyer Jason Barnette</a> <font color="#000000">knows how to counter-claim under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act inside and out.  If the debt purchaser does not have a valid Tennessee collection service license and is actively collecting in violation of the Tennessee Collection Services Act, a dismissal is in order.  <a title="Tennessee Consumer Protection Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank" rel="tag">Tennessee Consumer Protection Attorney Jason Barnette</a> will utilize the aforesaid Acts to fight for you against debt purchasers.  </font></p> <p><a title="Tennessee Consumer Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank" rel="tag"><img title="Debt Collect" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="109" alt="Debt Collect" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJY2tSSKOjaiBEDtO2CGYE09kPHsW0oT5LVaxU6UlRwmwVDvGOvsFK34E7LNMARP4KnE_Y_QB3pRqjU8NiubtQ8CiuBXGhphWcXpBm-EyxndiVsOzaD8cqUgQmpMjzKnk_2A-_AFzzAZL1/?imgmax=800" width="117" border="0" /></a> <a title="Tennessee Consumer Protection Lawyer" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank" rel="tag"><img title="debt law" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="88" alt="debt law" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_e0PCd_BDE0A/S4GDe5XS8WI/AAAAAAAAA8I/NiXmMwQ49Hk/debt%20law%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="138" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font color="#000000">Again, debt purchasers must be able to prove what they allege in their cases against consumers.  At <a title="Tennessee Consumer Protection" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com" target="_blank" rel="tag">Barnette Law Offices</a>, we make them and if they can’t, we will assert counter-complaints.</font></p> <p><strong><font color="#000000">Please contact <a title="Tennessee Consumer Protection Lawyers" href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com/" target="_blank" rel="tag">the Tennessee Consumer Protection team at Barnette Law Offices, LLC</a> at 615-585-2245 or <a href="http://www.barnettelawoffices.com">http://www.barnettelawoffices.com</a> if you’ve been sued by debt collectors such as Arrow Financial, Midland Funding, Asset Acceptance, Calvary Portfolio, Gault Financial, etc.  We can help you defeat the suit and sometimes, put cash in your pocket at the same time.</font></strong></p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:19728f21-6ab3-470f-a75f-e528d0380065" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Consumer+Protection+Attorney" rel="tag">Tennessee Consumer Protection Attorney</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Consumer+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Consumer Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tennessee+Consumer+Protection+Lawyer" rel="tag">Tennessee Consumer Protection Lawyer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Jason+Barnette" rel="tag">Jason Barnette</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Barnette+Law+Offices+LLC" rel="tag">Barnette Law Offices LLC</a></div> Jason Barnette, Esqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10164870431601547857noreply@blogger.com0