I have seen a new trend and one that troubles me. Debt collectors are not being the big mean jerks we expect. Rather, they are trying to be your friend. I even had a guy call me on behalf of…
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California Debt Blog: Frederick J Hanna & Associates
If you have been unfortunate enough to get a letter from Frederick J Hanna & Associates (sometimes they go by FJH, sometimes Frederick J Hanna and Associates), you should tread carefully. I have dealt with a lot of debt collectors…
I’ll Say it Again: Don’t Post Damaging Information Online!
On this blog, I have warned before about the dangers of posting personal information online when involved in a personal injury lawsuit. I have also warned about debt collectors using social networking sites to find debtors. If you are involved…
California Debt Blog: Senator Plans Reforms to Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Minnesota Senator Al Franken recently announced that he plans on introducing additional protections for consumers under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Franken’s actions were prompted by a newspaper’s investigative reporting which uncovered some of debt collectors’ shadier tactics, including…
Football Helmets Under Scrutiny After College Player’s Suicide
Earlier this summer, I reported about new standards for metal bats that will be used for high school baseball teams in California. The latest piece of athletic gear to come under fire is the football helmet, after the suicide of…
California Debt Blog: Stolen Credit Card Numbers Sell for $1.50
You may be surprised to learn that your credit card information, which many of us go to great lengths to protect, is worth only about $1.50 on the black market. A Washington Post reporter recently shopped for stolen credit and…
Are Underground Gas Lines Safe?
Last week, a huge gas explosion in San Bruno killed four people, injured over 60, and destroyed dozens of homes. The explosion was caused by the rupture of an underground gas pipe. The pipe had been installed in 1956, had…
California Debt Blog: Former Debt Collector Ran Collection Business from Prison
If you believe that most professional debt collectors are honest, hardworking, salt of the earth type people, this story may change your mind. Lamont Cooper, age 38 and from New York, owned a business called Legal Action Recovery, which was…
Finding Unclaimed Property
Did you know that you may be owed money and may not even know it? Unclaimed property, also known as abandoned property, is money held by companies or financial institutions that have not generated any activity or been claimed by…
California Debt Blog: Consumers Choosing Debit Over Credit
In today’s uncertain economy, increasing numbers of consumers are choosing to use cash or debit cards, which immediately deduct money from a checking or savings account, over credit cards. In fact, in 2009 more consumers used debit cards than credit…