Readers of our blog in Pennsylvania and elsewhere have likely heard the adage, “If you’re stuck with a lemon, make lemonade.”The meaning of that expression is not hard to decipher and can be alternatively expressed quite readily in many different...
Consumer Protection
Fighting back against unprincipled collectors: Help is available
Unscrupulous debt collectors often act with cavalier disregard for the rights of the people they shamelessly pursue for money allegedly owed. Although there are strict rules -- both state and federal enactments -- that place limits on collection agency behaviors,...
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: focus on consumers’ rights
Debt collection.Those two words strung together can elicit myriad reactions and feelings from consumers across the country, including in Pennsylvania, who are on the receiving end of a third party’s effort to collect on money allegedly owed.Let’s be frank....
What protections are available for consumers’ financial data?
Many people have heard of FICO, the American public company that provides the credit scores of consumers to lenders and other persons or business entities with a legitimate need to see such information.Very few people in Pennsylvania or elsewhere, though, are privy to...
Auto dealer fraud: It could happen to you; what to do about it
Many automobile dealerships and car salespersons across the country, including in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania, are of course painstakingly honest in their dealings with consumers. They are acutely aware of the value of trust and work hard to earn it, and...
“Buyer beware” when it comes to old and high-mileage cars
Few people in Pennsylvania or elsewhere willingly turn their backs on a good deal.In fact, that is the essence of what being an aware and prudent consumer is all about. Smart buyers generally don’t scoop up the first option available of the consumer good they...
State goes after energy companies that gouged consumers
Spokespersons for a number of energy companies operating in Pennsylvania are reportedly not responding to media inquiries into their business practices.It’s certainly not hard to see why they are preferring to let their phones ring off the hook in lieu of trying...
Home builder in hot water over deceptive financing practices
One Pennsylvania-based home building company has found itself in trouble with the Federal Trade Commission over the home financing programs it offered to customers. The company apparently offered mortgage packages that contained a number of hidden fees. The company...
Focus: aggressive debt collection efforts; fighting back
Many consumers in Pennsylvania and across the rest of the country have been on the receiving end of intimidating behavior by debt collection agencies that test the boundaries of law -- or simply surpass them by acting unlawfully -- in their efforts to extract money on...