Scott Owens Obtains Summary Judgment
September 9, 2008 (West Palm Beach, Florida) Scott D. Owens, Esq. obtained summary judgment today against Capital One Bank on a 3.5 year old credit card debt. After a four hour hearing before the Honorable Ted Booras, the Court ultimately decided in favor of Defendant ruling that the creditor was subject to Virginia law. In a five page ruling, the Court held that the cardholder agreement was not a written contract for statute of limitations purposes and thus subject to Va. Code 8.01-246(4).
A New Shakedown?
Debt collectors in a down economy are like yellow jackets in the fall: While their sting is as painful as ever, they have a harder time getting fed and can easily become more frenetic and annoying.
Business Is Booming— For Bill Collectors
Many industries are hurting these days, but not the debt collections business.
Consumer credit delinquencies have reached their highest levels since 1992, according to the American Bankers Association.
Many of those late on their bills have gotten calls from debt collectors and have had less-than-pleasant experiences.
Debtors' Prison: Escape Collectors' Calls
In a tough economy, more people are likely to be hearing from debt collectors. But guess what? With one simple step, you have the power to make them stop calling. If you're in debt, it's probably your own fault and it's definitely your responsibility. But you don't have to take abuse. Debtors' prisons don't exist anymore, but debtors' rights do.
Aggravated Cardholder Turns The Tables
This is the story of one man who, in some small way, is fighting back. It's the story of a man who, driven by the sarcasm of another, decided take on the system.
20 Sneaky Credit Card Tricks
Credit card companies can be as slippery as a handful of greased Jell-O. They have all kinds of tricks to gouge your wallet and drive up your bill. While arguably unfair, all these tricks are legal, leaving you no alternative but to stay as informed as possible to protect yourself.
Banks vs. Consumers (Guess Who Wins)
The business of resolving credit-card disputes is booming. But critics say the dominant firm favors creditors that are trying to collect from unsophisticated debtors
Hospitals Put
Patients' Debt
Up for Auction
In a move that consumer groups say could increase pressure on people with unpaid medical bills, some hospitals are trying out a new tactic to recoup patients' debts: They're auctioning the debt online.
Hospitals have long relied on outside collection agencies to go after debtors. Under traditional arrangements, these agencies receive a percentage of any money they get from a debtor; the more they collect, the more they earn.
Buyers' Give Old Debts New Life
Used to be, banks didn't waste much time chasing credit card deadbeats.
Their staffs would hound debtors by phone for six or seven months, then invite outside collection agencies to take a crack. Few debtors were sued. Those who hunkered down long enough could escape without paying.
Zombie Debts Refuse To Die
Bankruptcy is supposed to get rid of bad pennies.
Prince Ella Green thought so. She and her husband, James, who live in League City, fell on hard times and filed bankruptcy in 1995.
The case was a Chapter 13, meaning the Greens submitted a plan for repaying most of their debt, which they did during the next five years.