Categories
Judge’s Decision to Hit Bank of America with a $46 Million Award in Bankruptcy Case May Set New Precedent
A ruling by a judge in California, who found that…
Bank of America, Chase To Change Credit Reporting Practices For Discharged Debts
According to the New York Times, Bank of America and JPMorgan…
DOJ Settling With Citi and (Maybe) BoA Over Mortgage Securities
The Department of Justice took a lot of flak for…
Bank of America Liable For Mortgage Fraud
On October 23, 2013, Bank of America was found liable for…
Working On A Loan Modification With Bank of America? Here Are Some Tips.
As anyone who has tried to secure a loan modification can tell…
Department of Justice Sues Bank of America, Confirms What We’ve Always Known
On Tuesday, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Bank…
Bank Of America
Trash and Lock Out – Banks Try to Bypass the Law
If you miss a couple of mortgage payments, there are…
Forget About Trump, Look At Our Blighted Neighborhoods
Dawn Turner Trice, a columnist for the Chicago Tribune, wrote a…
20% of Vacant Properties In Chicago Have Been Empty For More Than Five Years
That’s right. According to the Chicago Reporter, one in five vacant…
The City of Chicago’s Abandoned Property Pivot
When the City of Chicago first began addressing the challenge…
Banks & Mortgage Servicers
Did Your Lender Sell Your Mortgage to Another Bank?
Did you take out a loan from a mortgage company…
Where There are More Underwater Mortgage Homes Than Not
According to information recently released by ATTOM Data Solutions – a company…
Case Law Update: John Wick v. GreenPoint Mortgage Funding, Inc.
In a case involving GreenPoint Mortgage Funding, Inc., a motion…
The Dangers of a Reverse Mortgage
Although the number of reverse mortgages backed by the U.S. Department of…
CFPB Report Reveals Mortgage Servicers Using Deficient Technology
Earlier this year, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) reported that some…
Trash and Lock Out – Banks Try to Bypass the Law
If you miss a couple of mortgage payments, there are…
Case Result
Judge Refuses to Dismiss Class-Action Lawsuit Over Collection Letter
McMahon v. LVNV Funding, Resurgent Capital Services, Alegis Group, and…
Atlas Law Center Obtains Successful Result Against One of Nation’s Largest Debt Collectors Over Time-Barred Debt Collection
Atlas Law Center is pleased to announce that our Chicago…
Case Law: FCRA Investigation May Require Examination of Account-Level Documentation
The 11th Circuit Court recently reversed in part a trial court’s…
Summary of Judgment Reversed in Prescott v. Seterus, Inc.
In April of 2004, Kevin Prescott obtained a loan of…
RCS’s Post-Trial Motions Denied in Hammer v. Residential Credit Solutions, Inc.
In our previous blog, we reported that national mortgage loan servicer…
Residential Credit Solutions Ordered to Pay $1.5M in Punitive Damages
Earlier this year, Alena Hammer, a resident of Illinois’ DuPage…
Case Updates
Amazon Faces Lawsuit for Alleged Retaliation and Discrimination Against Non-Heterosexual Employee
In a lawsuit filed on June 17, 2024, in the Illinois federal…
Apple Sued for Purposefully Slowing Down iPhones
Have you suspected that your iPhone 6 or iPhone 7…
Judge Refuses to Dismiss Class-Action Lawsuit Over Collection Letter
McMahon v. LVNV Funding, Resurgent Capital Services, Alegis Group, and…
Case Law Update: Brunner v. New York State Higher Educ. Servs. Corp.
A recent case has been reviewed and re-reviewed by a…
Case Law Update: Bald v. Wells Fargo
A federal appellate case from Hawaii, Bald v. Wells Fargo, recently…
Atlas Law Center Obtains Successful Result Against One of Nation’s Largest Debt Collectors Over Time-Barred Debt Collection
Atlas Law Center is pleased to announce that our Chicago…
Citigroup
Amazon Faces Lawsuit for Alleged Retaliation and Discrimination Against Non-Heterosexual Employee
In a lawsuit filed on June 17, 2024, in the Illinois federal…
Apple Sued for Purposefully Slowing Down iPhones
Have you suspected that your iPhone 6 or iPhone 7…
Judge Refuses to Dismiss Class-Action Lawsuit Over Collection Letter
McMahon v. LVNV Funding, Resurgent Capital Services, Alegis Group, and…
Case Law Update: Brunner v. New York State Higher Educ. Servs. Corp.
A recent case has been reviewed and re-reviewed by a…
Case Law Update: Bald v. Wells Fargo
A federal appellate case from Hawaii, Bald v. Wells Fargo, recently…
Atlas Law Center Obtains Successful Result Against One of Nation’s Largest Debt Collectors Over Time-Barred Debt Collection
Atlas Law Center is pleased to announce that our Chicago…
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The CFPB Seeks to Update Regulations on Voicemail and Contact Frequency
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released an Outline of…
CFPB Report Reveals Mortgage Servicers Using Deficient Technology
Earlier this year, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) reported that some…
CFPB Hearing on Debt Collection
Debt collection is a $13.7 billion industry in the United…
The CFPB Orders A Law Firm and A Debt Buyer To Discontinue Illegal Processes
According to an article published by Time, the federal Consumer Financial…
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s October 2015 Complaint Report Highlights Credit Cards and Chicago Consumers
The CFPB issues monthly complaint reports. These reports highlight the…
CFPB Takes Action Against Encore Capital Group and Portfolio Recovery Associates
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced on September 9,…
Consumer Rights
Man Sues Kingston Data in FDCPA Lawsuit, Represented by Atlas Law Center
Our team of consumer protection attorneys from Atlas Law Center…
Capital One Data Leak Impacts 100 Million Consumers – Can You Sue?
In late July, Capital One admitted that a single hacker…
Ten Attorneys of Atlas Law Center Named to 2019 Super Lawyers® or Rising Stars? Lists
Ten attorneys of Atlas Law Center in Chicago have been…
Consumer Protection Agency Will Not Pursue Lawsuit Against Lender Who Hit Consumers with 950% Interest Rates
In April 2017, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed a…
How Are Consumer Class Actions Different from Other Cases?
The idea behind class action lawsuits is that one trial…
Consumer Bureau Faces Major Set-Backs from Senate Republicans
Senate Republicans recently voted against a new rule that would…
Credit Card Debt
What Happens to Credit Card Debt When You Die?
Credit card debt is a pesky burden that impacts 55%…
5 Things Debt Collectors Can Legally Do
Debt collectors have been known to unfairly harass debtors, which…
Bikram Yoga Founder in Hiding from Debt Collectors in Mexico
Bikram Choudhury, the founder of international exercise sensation Bikram Yoga,…
Scare Tactics: How Debt Collectors Profit Off Fear
In America, debt is as stigmatized as it is necessary….
How Do I Get Rid of My Credit Card Debt?
Did you know that the average American household owes $15,956…
Legal Defenses for Credit Card Debt Lawsuits
If you are being sued by a credit card company…
Credit Harassment
What Constitutes Creditor Harassment?
Financial struggles are immensely stressful. Whether it’s because of credit…
Give the Gift of Peace of Mind: Stop Creditor Harassment
The holiday season often means an increase in expenditures for…
Navient Ordered to Pay $300,000 for Robocall Harassment
Robocall harassment is a growing problem in the United States….
Debt Collection Harassment: How to Protect Yourself
As debt has become a profitable business, debt collection agencies…
Protect Yourself! Recognize the Warning Signs of Creditor Harassment
By law, creditors are not allowed to contact debtors to…
Credit Repair
How Do Credit Repair Organizations Like Lexington Law Fix Credit Scores?
Should You Seek a Debt Consolidation Loan? In or near…
Credit Repair Scammers Pay Up
We’ve all heard the saying, “where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”…
Credit Reporting
The Importance of Monitoring Your Credit Report for Errors
What Kinds of Errors May Appear on a Credit Report?…
Two Credit Reporting Agencies Caught in Fraud | Chicago Bankruptcy Attorney
Many people rely on credit scores to determine their financial…
Can You Sue if a Credit Reporting Mistake Ruined Your Credit?
Credit inaccuracies can be very problematic for anyone trying to…
Bank of America, Chase To Change Credit Reporting Practices For Discharged Debts
According to the New York Times, Bank of America and JPMorgan…
U.S. Supreme Court To Decide Fair Credit Reporting Act Case
On April 27, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court granted a…
Changes in credit reporting may be good news for consumers
Some recent changes in credit reporting could be good news…
Debt Buyers
Debt Collection, Debt Buyers, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The CFPB has issued a request for comments regarding debt collection practices….
Debt Collectors, Debt Buyers, and Collection Agency Act
I recently attended Max Gardner’s Debt Buyer Boot Camp. During…
FTC Releases Report on Debt Buyers
The Federal Trade Commission has released a report on the…
Debt Collectors
How to Deal with Aggressive Debt Collectors: A Consumer’s Guide
Are You Struggling? Many of us have been in a…
What Happens to Credit Card Debt When You Die?
Credit card debt is a pesky burden that impacts 55%…
5 Things Debt Collectors Can Legally Do
Debt collectors have been known to unfairly harass debtors, which…
Bikram Yoga Founder in Hiding from Debt Collectors in Mexico
Bikram Choudhury, the founder of international exercise sensation Bikram Yoga,…
Scare Tactics: How Debt Collectors Profit Off Fear
In America, debt is as stigmatized as it is necessary….
How Do I Get Rid of My Credit Card Debt?
Did you know that the average American household owes $15,956…
Debt Relief
Can a Debt Settlement Company Legally Negotiate Down Medical Bills?
Are You Contending with Overwhelming Medical Debt? It’s not difficult…
What Happens to Credit Card Debt When You Die?
Credit card debt is a pesky burden that impacts 55%…
5 Things Debt Collectors Can Legally Do
Debt collectors have been known to unfairly harass debtors, which…
Bikram Yoga Founder in Hiding from Debt Collectors in Mexico
Bikram Choudhury, the founder of international exercise sensation Bikram Yoga,…
Scare Tactics: How Debt Collectors Profit Off Fear
In America, debt is as stigmatized as it is necessary….
How Do I Get Rid of My Credit Card Debt?
Did you know that the average American household owes $15,956…
Fair Credit Reporting Act
Two Credit Reporting Agencies Caught in Fraud | Chicago Bankruptcy Attorney
Many people rely on credit scores to determine their financial…
Case Law: FCRA Investigation May Require Examination of Account-Level Documentation
The 11th Circuit Court recently reversed in part a trial court’s…
Motions to Dismiss Denied in FDCPA/FCRA Case
A recent FDCPA/FCRA case out of the U.S. District Court Northern District…
Can You Sue if a Credit Reporting Mistake Ruined Your Credit?
Credit inaccuracies can be very problematic for anyone trying to…
Bank of America, Chase To Change Credit Reporting Practices For Discharged Debts
According to the New York Times, Bank of America and JPMorgan…
U.S. Supreme Court To Decide Fair Credit Reporting Act Case
On April 27, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court granted a…
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Judge Makes Ruling on TCPA & FDCPA Violations
An Illinois District Court judge partially denied summary judgment in…
Debt Collector Makes FDCPA Bona Fide Error Defense, but Loses Case
At our firm, we work hard to hold debt collection…
$25 Medical Bill Results in TCPA & FDCPA Court Case
Debt collection agencies must abide by federal regulations when contacting…
InsideARM Spotlight: June FDCPA Case Law Review
Each month, insideARM puts out a list of some of…
Motions to Dismiss Denied in FDCPA/FCRA Case
A recent FDCPA/FCRA case out of the U.S. District Court Northern District…
insideARM Spotlight: April FDCPA Case Law Review
Each month, insideARM provides a case law review highlighting positive,…
Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac
Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac to Offer Principal Reductions Under New Loan Modification Program
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have announced the first-ever principal…
Fannie Mae Lowers Mandatory Waiting Period to Two Years
New changes from Fannie Mae will make it easier for…
Goldman Sachs to Settle Federal Probe for $5.1B
Investment bank Goldman Sachs Group is set to settle a…
FHFA Finds Principal Forgiveness Ineffective
Are you an underwater borrower? Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae…
How Dishonest Wall Street Bankers Managed to Stay Out of Jail
The dishonesty and profligacy of Wall Street bankers, traders, and…
Freddie and Fannie: Principal Reductions Make Sense
As first reported by Pro Publica and NPR News, Freddie Mac…
Firm News
Man Sues Kingston Data in FDCPA Lawsuit, Represented by Atlas Law Center
Our team of consumer protection attorneys from Atlas Law Center…
Ten Attorneys of Atlas Law Center Named to 2019 Super Lawyers® or Rising Stars? Lists
Ten attorneys of Atlas Law Center in Chicago have been…
Atlas Law Center Obtains Successful Result Against One of Nation’s Largest Debt Collectors Over Time-Barred Debt Collection
Atlas Law Center is pleased to announce that our Chicago…
Attorney Jim Haller Authors Student Loan Debt Article Featured by The Hill
Chicago Consumer Attorney and Atlas Law Center Associate Jim Haller…
We’re Seeking a Paralegal – Apply Today!
Atlas Law Center is currently looking for an outstanding paralegal…
RCS’s Post-Trial Motions Denied in Hammer v. Residential Credit Solutions, Inc.
In our previous blog, we reported that national mortgage loan servicer…
Fraud
Angelo Mozilo Fraud Case Dropped By Justice Department
According to a recent article, the United States Justice Department…
Apple Customers File Class Action Lawsuit Against the Cupertino-Based Company for Deliberately Slowing Older iPhones
Apple may be on the verge of becoming the first…
Illinois Joins California in Suspending Wells Fargo from Bond & Investing Work
Illinois has announced that it is taking after California and…
Senator Warren Says Wells Fargo Should Give Bonuses Back
Last week, Democratic lawmakers amplified the Wells Fargo controversy by…
HAMP
Not Too Shocking: HAMP Has Not Helped Many People
The Home Affordable Modification Program was designed to help homeowners…
HAMP Extended Two More Years — But Are Loan Modifications Working?
The Obama Administration recently announced that it was extending HAMP for two…
Has There Been Significant HAMP Oversight?
It is pretty well-known that HAMP has not been the…
HAMP Study: Mortgage Servicers Could Have Done Better
A study recently conducted by economists from the Federal Reserve…
Are Lawsuits Based On HAMP Guidelines Viable?
The Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) has been the subject…
Housing Market
When to Hire a Real Estate Law Attorney
When it comes to real estate, using the services of…
Moody’s Corp. Pays $864 Million Settlement for Inflated Ratings
Moody’s Corp. agreed to pay nearly $864 million to settle…
What “The Big Short” Missed about the 2008 Mortgage Meltdown
The Academy Award-winning and Oscar-winning film “The Big Short” received…
Private Equity Firms Repeating Banks’ Mistakes After Housing Crisis
Millions of people lost their homes when the housing crisis…
Legal & Economic Issues in Subprime Litigation
A Harvard Law School discussion paper from 2008, right around…
Kansas Supreme Court Ruling Challenges Validity of MERS
Systemic foreclosure fraud was rampant in the years leading up…
In The News
Amazon Faces Lawsuit for Alleged Retaliation and Discrimination Against Non-Heterosexual Employee
In a lawsuit filed on June 17, 2024, in the Illinois federal…
Understanding Recent Changes in Employment Discrimination Law
The Supreme Court’s latest ruling marks a pivotal change in…
The Push for Change: Biden’s Plan to Expand Overtime Pay for Salaried Workers
The American workforce is on the brink of a transformative…
Illinois Adds Rights and Safety Protections for Temporary Workers
In a significant move toward safeguarding the rights and safety…
Pregnant Workers Have New Protections: Here’s What to Expect from Your Boss
In a significant step towards workplace equality, the Pregnant Workers…
Clarification by NLRB: Understanding the Burden of Proof in Anti-Union Retaliation Cases
In a recent development that carries implications for labor relations…
JPMorgan Chase
DOJ Announces $50 Million Settlement With JP Morgan Chase Over Robosigned Docs In Bankruptcy Cases
According to the DOJ’s press release, JP Morgan Chase has agreed…
JP Morgan Chase To Settle With U.S. Government — But Is The Settlement A Tax Break?
Over the last two weeks, we have seen the Too…
American Banker: Chase Halts Credit Card Debt Sales
According to American Banker, Chase has quit selling credit card debt…
JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America Claim That They Have Satisfied The Terms of The National Mortgage Settlement
In an attempt to get ahead of next month’s National…
California’s Attorney General Sues Chase, Re-Exposes Chase’s Unlawful Credit Card Practices
Every once in a while, a state-level official picks up…
Loan Modification
Did Your Lender Sell Your Mortgage to Another Bank?
Did you take out a loan from a mortgage company…
Loan Service Defense Motion Denied in Ongoing Breach of Contract Case
Plaintiff S. Azeem used a mortgage loan with Guaranty Bank…
Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac to Offer Principal Reductions Under New Loan Modification Program
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have announced the first-ever principal…
Residential Credit Solutions Ordered to Pay $1.5M in Punitive Damages
Earlier this year, Alena Hammer, a resident of Illinois’ DuPage…
Not Too Shocking: HAMP Has Not Helped Many People
The Home Affordable Modification Program was designed to help homeowners…
Loan modification options for heirs inheriting mortgages
If a loved one has died and left his or…
National Mortgage Settlement
Updates on the National Mortgage Settlement
Early in 2012, five banks agreed to a $25 billion…
National Mortgage Settlement Update — Tightening Up Dual-Tracking
According to this article, the initial compliance reports from the National…
JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America Claim That They Have Satisfied The Terms of The National Mortgage Settlement
In an attempt to get ahead of next month’s National…
Mailing Checks To Consumers — National Mortgage Settlement Version
Any reader of this blog knows that the Independent Foreclosure…
The National Mortgage Settlement and Dual Tracking
On October 2, 2012, the National Mortgage Settlement’s servicing regulations…
October 2, 2012 — The National Mortgage Settlement Servicing Standards Are In Effect
As of October 2, the servicing standards included in the…
News
Amazon Faces Lawsuit for Alleged Retaliation and Discrimination Against Non-Heterosexual Employee
In a lawsuit filed on June 17, 2024, in the Illinois federal…
The Push for Change: Biden’s Plan to Expand Overtime Pay for Salaried Workers
The American workforce is on the brink of a transformative…
Illinois Adds Rights and Safety Protections for Temporary Workers
In a significant move toward safeguarding the rights and safety…
Pregnant Workers Have New Protections: Here’s What to Expect from Your Boss
In a significant step towards workplace equality, the Pregnant Workers…
Clarification by NLRB: Understanding the Burden of Proof in Anti-Union Retaliation Cases
In a recent development that carries implications for labor relations…
Peer-To-Peer Lending
Peer To Peer Lending — Great Idea or Major Pitfall?
We’re back from a long hiatus. We’ve seen the usual…
Reverse Mortgages
The Dangers of a Reverse Mortgage
Although the number of reverse mortgages backed by the U.S. Department of…
Here’s What You Should Know About Reverse Mortgages
Reverse mortgages are mortgages available to older adults (age 62…
Have you inherited a home affected by a reverse mortgage?
A number of individuals in the financial industry convinced a…
Safeguard Properties, LLC
Lisa Madigan Files Suit Against Safeguard Properties, LLC
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced on Tuesday that she has filed…
Social Security
Are You Wondering When to Start Social Security?
If you are approaching retirement and are wondering how to…
Strategic Default
Strategic Default: What Is It and Can It Help Me?
Strategic default can be useful to relieve yourself of the burdens…
Can I Force The Bank To Take Back My Home?
I have been asked this question more times than I…
Strategic Default Increasingly Common Among Baby Boomers
According to YouWalkAway.com, Baby Boomers are increasingly likely to strategically…
Student Loans
U.S. Waives Federal Student Loan Payments
The Trump Administration is acknowledging the strain that COVID-19 is…
Education Department Rejects 99% of Student Loan Forgiveness Applicants
Last year, Congress members approved the Temporary Expanded Public Service…
Report Reveals Navient Pushed High-Cost Plans on Struggling Borrowers
According to a Department of Education audit, Navient Corp., the…
Advocate Group Sues Betsy DeVos for Failing to Implement Automatic Student Loan Forgiveness
The Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA) filed a new…
Education Secretary Tries to Make It Harder for Students Seeking Debt Relief
The U.S. Education Department has proposed new changes to rules…
Do Student Loans Affect Your Credit Score?
With recent studies showing that college students graduate with an…
TCPA
Class Action Lawsuit Regarding Cruise Robocalls
Under federal laws, consumers have a right to be protected…
$25 Medical Bill Results in TCPA & FDCPA Court Case
Debt collection agencies must abide by federal regulations when contacting…
Your Rights Under the TCPA
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act, also known as the TCPA,…
$9.25 Million TCPA Class Action Settlement Against American Express
Earlier this year, in July, Judge John Z. Lee approved…
Minnesota Automatic Dialing Statute: Liability for Calling a Wrong Number
According to an insideARM article, any and all companies and debt…
Preventing Robocalls Or Fighting Back
If you are like most of the people throughout the…
Telephone Consumer Protection Act
Judge Makes Ruling on TCPA & FDCPA Violations
An Illinois District Court judge partially denied summary judgment in…
$25 Medical Bill Results in TCPA & FDCPA Court Case
Debt collection agencies must abide by federal regulations when contacting…
Your Rights Under the TCPA
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act, also known as the TCPA,…
$9.25 Million TCPA Class Action Settlement Against American Express
Earlier this year, in July, Judge John Z. Lee approved…
Telephone Consumer Protection Act Multi-District Litigation Settlement Reached
In a case involving alleged violations of the Telephone Consumer…
Caribou Coffee to Face Class Action for TCPA Violations
Caribou Coffee Co. Inc. was recently hit with a class action…
Unsolicited Faxes
How to Stop Unsolicited Faxes
Junk faxes are not only irritating, but they also waste…
Zombie Debt
John Oliver Gives Away $14M on Last Week Tonight
On last night’s episode of Last Week Tonight, host John Oliver gave…
“Zombie Title” — When Homeowners Remain On The Hook
The press loves to use the word, “zombie,” as an…
Zombie Mortgages
Zombie Mortgages In The News
WGN-TV picked up on my posts about zombie title and…
Zombie Mortgages Are “Back”
The housing crash and foreclosure crisis news cycle doesn’t move…
Safeguard Properties, LLC
Lisa Madigan Files Suit Against Safeguard Properties, LLC
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced on Tuesday that she has filed…