by John Skiba, Esq. | Jun 9, 2015 | Collection Law Suits, Debt Collection Lawsuits, Newsletter
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...
by John Skiba, Esq. | Jun 8, 2015 | Collection Law Suits, Debt Collection Lawsuits, Uncategorized
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...
by John Skiba, Esq. | May 30, 2015 | Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Debt Settlement, Newsletter
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....
by John Skiba, Esq. | May 20, 2015 | Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Newsletter
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...
by John Skiba, Esq. | May 12, 2015 | Collection Law Suits, Debt Collection Lawsuits, Fair Debt Collection, FDCPA Claims, Newsletter
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...
by John Skiba, Esq. | May 1, 2015 | Collection Law Suits, Debt Collection Lawsuits, Newsletter
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...
by John Skiba, Esq. | Apr 25, 2015 | Debt Settlement, Newsletter
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...
by John Skiba, Esq. | Apr 22, 2015 | Debt Collection Lawsuits, Newsletter, Podcasts
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...
by John Skiba, Esq. | Apr 16, 2015 | Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Debt Collection Lawsuits, Debt Settlement, Newsletter, Podcasts
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...
by John Skiba, Esq. | Apr 15, 2015 | Bankruptcy, Bankruptcy A to Z, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Newsletter
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...
by John Skiba, Esq. | Apr 14, 2015 | Fair Debt Collection, FDCPA Claims, Newsletter, Podcasts
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...
by John Skiba, Esq. | Apr 8, 2015 | Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Newsletter, Podcasts
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...
by John Skiba, Esq. | Apr 7, 2015 | Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Newsletter, Podcasts
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...
by John Skiba, Esq. | Apr 2, 2015 | Bankruptcy, FDCPA Claims, Newsletter, Podcasts
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...
by John Skiba, Esq. | Mar 31, 2015 | Debt Settlement, Newsletter, Podcasts
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...
