Weekly Top 10 – Week of August 15, 2010
Each week we bring you 10 of our most favorite stories from around the industry.
Week of August 15, 2010
1. ‘The Huckebee Show’ Features ‘Debt Collectors Gone Wild’ (VIDEO)
(TVSquad.com, 08/17/10)
The Huckebee Show‘ (weekdays, syndicated) on Tuesday featured the cautionary tale of Michelle Minton. The mother of two young children received a call from a bill collector — who also represented himself as a lawyer — claiming she owed $4,500.”
2. Judgments Are Not Worth The Paper They’re Printed On
(JD SUPRA, 08/19/10)
The current economic crisis is making the debt collectors scared. When there’s no money to put food on the table, even a favorable judgment through the courts means nothing. The judgment by itself doesn’t get you paid, according to Cincinnati debt collection law firm Slovin & Associates partner Randy Slovin.”
You can download a .pdf copy of the story here.
3. Minnesota orders debt collector out of business
(Star Tribue, 08/19/10)
A Wayzata debt collector who allegedly told a debtor “I will hunt you down like a dog” was ordered by state regulators to cease operations in Minnesota.”
4. Local debt-collection business expands to Sartell
(sctimes.com, 08/19/10)
A local debt collector’s business is booming — and its space is growing along with it. Array Services is building a new home for one of its companies, ProSource Billing. Later this fall it will move into a new 23,000-square-foot facility in Sartell. Construction has already begun.”
5. SMITH v. ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
(Leagle.com, 08/17/10)
This is a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”) case in which Plaintiff Pamela E. Smith alleges that Defendant violated provisions of the Act through three voicemail messages and one email exchange. Defendant’s position is that both the voicemails and emails were left or sent in response to a specific request by Plaintiff at least a year into an ongoing and regular communication between Plaintiff and Defendant, and therefore were not in violation of the Act.”
6. Five men detained over debt collection released
(IrishTimes.com, 08/19/10)
FIVE MEN arrested by gardaí investigating aggressive debt collecting practices in the building trade in Dublin have been released without charge.”
7. Actions taken by debt collection agencies are limited by law in Oklahoma
(NewsOK, 08/18/10)
Seniors, beware. If you’re being harassed by calls from debt collectors, don’t be bullied into paying anything before knowing the law. In Oklahoma, the statute of limitations on most debt is three years and if you pay even as little as $5 on an old debt, you’ll reset the clock.”
8. Collection effort pays off
(TribToday.com, 08/18/10)
Warren’s debt collection agency has netted nearly $340,000 for city coffers since it started working on delinquent accounts four months ago.”
9. ANCHONDO v. ANDERSON, CRENSHAW & ASSOCIATES, L.L.C.
(Leagle.com, 08/16/10)
Defendant Anderson, Crenshaw & Associates, L.L.C. (ACA) appeals from a district court order awarding plaintiff Elsa Anchondo $63,333.52 in attorney fees, gross receipts tax, and costs under 15 U.S.C. § 1692k(a) after ACA agreed to a settlement in favor of Ms. Anchondo and the class she represents on their claims against ACA under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). ACA contends the district court erred in certain respects in determining the amount of the attorney fee award. We review the district court’s award for an abuse of discretion, see, e.g., Jane L. v. Bangerter, 61 F.3d 1505, 1509 (10th Cir. 1995), and affirm for the reasons expressed below.”
10. Collection Agency Opens Case On Anthony’s Court Debt
(WESH.com, 08/17/10)
ORLANDO, Fla. — Court records show that a collection agency has opened a case to recover money Casey Anthony owes on her theft case.”
