Arizona Consumer Law Group
Consumer BlogThe Unknown World of Junk Debt Buying
This past weekend I attended a workshop in Seattle that was set up for consumer protection lawyers like myself who help people fight back against junk debt buyers like Midland Funding, Cavalry SPV, CACH, LLC (too name a few). The presenter was Peter Holland, a...
Bank of America / FIA Card Services Found to Engage in “Unsound , Unsafe, and Illegal” Debt Collection Practices
On May 29, 2015 Bank of America and its affiliate FIA Card Services, were fined $30 million by the Department of the Treasury through the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) for engaging in “unsound, unsafe” and illegal behavior...
The 1099-C Issue: Potential Tax Liability in Debt Settlement and Bankruptcy
When you owe debts that you cannot pay most will look to one of two options – debt settlement or bankruptcy. What many don’t realize is that in some circumstances there is the potential for additional tax liability even if you pay off most of your debt....
What You Can Learn from Dave Ramsey’s Bankruptcy
Today I attended the 2015 Bankruptcy Leadership Summit in Nashville, Tennessee at the Dave Ramsey headquarters. In his introductory remarks this morning Dave Ramsey discussed his own bankruptcy that he filed years ago to stop debt collectors from taking the furniture...
It’s Time for Arizona Courts to Stop Trusting Midland Funding
It has baffled me for years. Time and again I see courts give junk debt buyer Midland Funding the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the trustworthiness of their “evidence” and the testimony of their witnesses at trial – despite the fact that...
Sued by Midland Funding in Arizona? 3 Ways to Deal with the Lawsuit
When faced with a difficult situation it is comforting to know your options. If you have been sued by one of the junk debt buyers like Midland Funding, CACH, LLC, or Portfolio Recovery you are likely loosing a lot of sleep over what your options are and what, if...
3 Strategies to Getting the Lowest Debt Settlement Possible
Settling debt is the process of negotiating with your creditors a payment less than the total amount owed. Often times people feel that as a person who is struggling to pay your bills that you are negotiating from a weaker position – after all you owe money and...
CW17: Inside Job – Is the Debt Collection System Rigged Against Consumers?
Recently I watched the documentary “Inside Job” that discusses the build up and collapse of the financial system in 2008. It reminded me a lot of the debt collection system and how it tends to chew up consumers who aren’t aware of the rules of the...
CW16: Tony Robbins, Winning with Money, and How to Fight Low Dollar Debt Collection Lawsuits
Like pesky mosquitos, I am seeing more and more debt collection lawsuits that are being filed by junk debt buyers where the total amount being sought is less than $1,000. And while a thousand bucks is a thousand bucks, in the realm of civil lawsuits it is an...
Can Taxes Be Eliminated in Bankruptcy?
Tax Day is on us once again. I think it is kind of funny that my calendar I use here at work actually has a preset “holiday” alert for Tax Day – probably some sort of government conspiracy. But if you are preparing your taxes today and realize that...
CW15: Fight Back Against Debt Collector Harassment
For those who have fallen behind on their bills it is not surprise that their creditors begin calling to ask when they can expect payment. What does come as a shock is the despicable tactics many debt collector will use to try and separate you from your money. On...
CW14: Teaching My 6 Kids About Money
Over the last twelve years I have met with thousands of families who needed to file bankruptcy to deal with their serious debt problems. And for many bankruptcy is truly a needed tool in dealing with troubled finances. But what about after the bankruptcy is over? Do...
CW13: Can You Really Get By Without a Credit Card?
Credit cards. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them. Or can you? Without question the number one debt problem for most of my bankruptcy clients is credit card debt – a lot of credit card debt. On a regular basis I help clients who are facing...
CW12: Timing is Everything in Dealing with Debt
It seems easy enough. You are in debt and want to get out. But surprisingly, when you decide to finally deal with your debt can make a big different on whether it is a short, efficient process, or whether it is a long drawn-out nightmare. In today’s episode of...
CW11: How to Settle Your Debts in 3 Steps
On today’s show I answer the following questions: Who is a good candidate for debt settlement? Does it matter how many creditors you have? Are there any good debt consolidation companies out there? What is the “S.L.O.” method to debt settlement? How...
Should You Write Post-Dated Checks to a Debt Collector?
Debt collectors will often ask you set up a payment plan for to pay a debt over time. And typically they going to want more than just a promise to make the payments, they want you to give them your bank account information and sometimes even ask you to write them...
CW10: Dave Ramsey, Bankruptcy, and Paying Your Debts
In the world of bankruptcy lawyers Dave Ramsey is somewhat of a controversial figure. If you don’t know who Dave Ramsey is, he is an author and national radio talk show host who helps people get out of debt through his The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition:...
CW09: When Banks Go Bad
When it comes to banks, brand loyalty is a real thing. I am always somewhat surprised when meeting with clients who are preparing to file for bankruptcy and they express such remorse at filing bankruptcy on a certain credit card account because “they have always...
Before You Represent Yourself Against Midland Funding, Consider This…
Recently I met with a great woman who had been battling hard against junk debt buyer Midland Funding here in an Arizona court. Her preparation was more than adequate – she had a three-inch three-ring binder with all of her research, motions, and trial notes...
CW08: Are Your Creditors Lurking Out There?
So much of the stress associated with serious debt problems comes from the uncertainty of the whole process. Often creditors will not take any action for months and even years. This can even lull you into a false sense of security that you are finally through the...
CW07: Ignore Facebook Trolls! Why You Should Fight Back Against Abusive Debt Collectors.
Almost without exception when I post an article dealing with debt collection or bankruptcy on the Facebook Page for the Consumer Warrior Project someone will leave a comment like “pay your bills, then you won’t have any problems!” or “life...
CW06: When Can They Garnish My Wages?
One of the most misunderstood aspects of the debt collection process is knowing when a creditor can garnish your wages. Most families in the United States live paycheck to paycheck – meaning that an interruption in pay via a wage garnishment can create total...
Recent Uptick in Collection Lawsuits from FIA Card Service (Bank of America) in Arizona
Lately I have seen an pretty significant increase in the number of lawsuits filed by junk debt buyers like Midland Funding, Unifund, and CACH, LLC on old charged-off Bank of America credit cards here in the Phoenix area. When junk debt buyers place accounts to be sued...
CW05: How to Know if Bankruptcy is a Good Option?
At times it can be difficult for people to even say the word “bankruptcy” let alone take a rational approach in determining whether or not it is a good option for their debt situation. If anything families wait far too long before making the decision to...
CW04: 3 Biggest Mistakes When Drafting an Answer to a Debt Collection Lawsuit
T.M.I. – Too Much Information. People often put way too much unnecessary, and potentially harmful, information in their Answers. This is one of the biggest mistakes I see consumers make when they decide to draft their own Answer to a Debt Collection lawsuit....
CW03: 3 Ways to Deal with Your Default Judgment
Did you know that over 95% of debt collection lawsuits end in a default judgment? Default judgments can wreck all kinds of havoc. Once a creditor is armed with a default judgment the creditor can do things like garnish wages, levy bank accounts, and even lien...
3 Ways to Use Your Tax Refund to Solve Your Debt Problem
It is the time of year when people are gearing up to get their taxes filed. Many will get a nice tax refund check and while what I am about to propose may be some of the least fun things you can do with a tax refund check, you might be surprised that you can wipe out...
CW02: How to Stop Debt Collectors from Calling Your Family, Friends, and Co-Workers
The job of a debt collector is to make you give them money. Debt collectors understand that if they can make you uncomfortable enough, whether it be through fear, embarrassment, or simply annoy unceasingly, that you will be more likely to cough up the dough. With...
CW01: Wrapping Your Mind around Solving Your Debt Problem
This may sound a little hippy-dippy of me, but in this episode I discuss the necessary mindset to finally deal with your overwhelming debt problems. Many people who are facing serious debt issues like foreclosure, debt collection lawsuits, and bankruptcy have been...
CW00: Relaunch (again) of the Consumer Warrior Podcast
In 2012 I launched the Consumer Warrior Podcast with the hope of being able to provide information and hope to people who are facing very difficult debt problems. Nearly two-and-half years later I have only released seventeen episodes and have been anything but...
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John Skiba, Esq.
We offer a free consultation to discuss your debt problem and help you put together a game plan to eliminate your debt once and for all. Give us a call at (480) 420-4028