Welcome to Consumer Law Professionals, your trusted experts in Consumer Law. Our firm specializes in a comprehensive range of consumer protection statutes designed to safeguard your rights and ensure fair treatment in financial transactions. We focus on key laws such as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), and various amendments that enhance these protections. Each of these laws plays a crucial role in protecting consumers from unfair practices and ensuring transparency and fairness in financial dealings.
Below are the laws which fall under our purview. Contact us for a free case review to see if any of your rights under these laws have been violated, earning you a potential settlement.
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), codified at 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., is a U.S. federal law that governs the collection, dissemination, and use of consumer information, including credit information. Along with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), it forms the foundation of consumer credit rights in the United States. Enacted in 1970, the FCRA is enforced by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and private litigants.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), codified at 15 U.S.C. § 1692 et seq., was established in 1978 as part of the Consumer Credit Protection Act. The FDCPA aims to eliminate abusive debt collection practices, promote fair debt collection, and provide consumers with a means to dispute and validate debt information, ensuring its accuracy. The Act outlines guidelines for debt collectors, defines consumer rights, and specifies penalties and remedies for violations. It is often used alongside the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (TCPA), enacted by the United States Congress, is primarily codified at 47 U.S.C. 227. This act is the main U.S. law regulating telephone solicitations, including telemarketing. The TCPA limits the use of automatic dialing systems, artificial or prerecorded voice messages, SMS text messages to cell phones, and unsolicited advertisements sent via fax machines. It also sets technical requirements for fax machines, autodialers, and voice messaging systems, mainly mandating that messages include the identification and contact information of the entity using the device.
Truth in Lending Act (TILA)
The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) of 1968 is a U.S. federal law aimed at promoting the informed use of consumer credit. It mandates disclosures about credit terms and costs to standardize how borrowing costs are calculated and presented. TILA also grants consumers the right to cancel certain credit transactions involving a lien on their principal dwelling, regulates specific credit card practices, and ensures fair and timely resolution of credit billing disputes.
Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA)
This amendment to the Truth in Lending Act mandates that creditors promptly acknowledge consumer billing complaints in writing and investigate billing errors. It prohibits creditors from taking actions that negatively impact a consumer's credit standing until the investigation is completed and provides additional protections during disputes. The amendment also requires creditors to promptly post payments to the consumer's account and either refund overpayments or credit them to the consumer's account.
Electronic Funds Transfer Act (EFTA)
This statute defines the rights, liabilities, and responsibilities of participants in electronic fund transfer systems. It mandates that financial institutions adopt specific practices for transaction accounting and error resolution. The Act also requires procedures for preauthorized transfers and sets liability limits for losses due to unauthorized transfers.
