Jeff's Blog 
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act for Pennsylvania Consumers
- Jeff Suher represents Pittsburgh consumer whose credit card was stolen by Buffalo Debt Collector
- A Debt Collection Company that "May" Train and Encourage Employees to Violate the FDCPA - sued in Pennsylvania
- What to do if a Debt Collector Sues You.
- A Need to Know Debt Collection Tactic to Harass and Threaten you into paying an Old Debt
- National Action Financial Services, NAFS - Typical debt collection company and numerous consumer complaints!
- What can I do to stop debt collection calls about OLD DEBT
- Harassing Debt Collection Calls from India to the U.S.
- Debt Collection Complaints going UP; what to do if you get a telephone call in Pittsburgh. CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE
- 10 Ways to Curb Sleazy Debt Collectors In Pittsburgh
- Haunted and harassed by old debts?
Fair Credit Reporting Act for Consumers Rights
- The only website to obtain all 3 credit reports for free every year
- Jeff Suher to Host Workshop about the Fair Credit Reporting Act
General
- The Tale of a Dead Man Walking....
- Credit Card Companies vs. College Student - Who is responsible for the financial future of college students?
- Does your credit card debt die with you, or can it come back to to haunt those you left behind???
- VIDEO - Outrageous Debt Collection Calls, and how a debt collector becomes "Mr. Mean"
- The Bureau of Collection Recovery Inc. - Calls a Pittsburgh Consumer a deadbeat and a liar!
- Fast Cash - Payday Loans, The Facts
- Tina's Personal Credit Story!
- Credit Card Debt, Read this article for a few tips on how to handle it.
- Debt Collectors are SOOO Sleazy, Watch This Video!
- The Vicious Cycle of Debt Collection: The Universal Default Clause, is it in your Credit Card Agreement?
News
- Debt Collector Accused of Stealing Pittsburgh Customer's Debit Card and Goes on a Shopping Spree!!!!
- Pittsburgh Study: College Students Pile on Credit Card Debt
- Consumer Complaints! What Consumers are the Globe Complaint About the Most!!
- Man sets himself on FIRE after receiving so many debt collection calls
- Indian Call Center Workers Demand Money
- UPDATE: IRS REFUSES TO STOP USING PRIVATE DEBT COLLECTORS
- Debt Collectors on a Rampage, Pittsburgh Attorney Jeff Suher Can Help
- Debt Collectors Pushing to Get Their Day In Court
- Banks vs. Consumers
- IRS Faulted for Lax Identity Theft Protection Efforts
Library
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act for Pennsylvania Consumers
- 10 THINGS DEBT COLLECTORS DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW!!
- The Six Taboos of Debt Collectors!
- Consumer Advocate Bud HIbbs' Worst Debt Collector List
- FTC Annual Report Summary of Debt Collection Violations
- RipOff Reports Article: National Enterprise Systems Intimidation at work
- RipOff Report Articles: National Action Financial Services, Inc. (NAFS)
- Debt Collector Accuses Pittsburgh Consumer of Committing a Crime and Threatens Jail Time
- Debt Collector Harasses Pittsburgh Consumer and Threatens Physical Harm
Do you Know What's on Your Credit Report? How to obtain a free report and file disputes...
- Fair Credit Report Act - Workshop to Help Pennsylvania Consumers Understand and Dispute Information on Their Credit Reports!
- Facts for Pittsburgh Consumers About Your Credit Report
Fair Credit Reporting Act for Consumers Rights
- Debt Reduction Defendant Settles FTC Charges
- 5 Ways to DESTROY your credit score
- How Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Affect You and Your Credit Score?
BLOG
General
- Fast-Cash Predatory Lending - what you need to know
- Prohibited Debt Collection Practices
- Debt Collector Directory
- Games Credit Card Companies Play
- One Month With The Credit Card Companies
- Debt Collection Agencies: Big Money in Bad Debt
- "Rehabilitation:" What Debt Collectors Don't Want You To Know
- JEFF SUHER TO PRESENT SEMINAR ON “MAXED OUT”
- Attend a Free Viewing of the Film MAXED OUT and Win a $250 Gift Certificate
- Tips for Consumers against Credit Card Fraud
What's New
Maxed Out shows how the modern financial industry really works, explains the true definition of "preferred customer" and tells us why the poor are getting poorer and the rich getting richer. By turns hilarious and profoundly disturbing, Maxed Out paints a picture of a national nightmare which is all too real for most of us!!
Do you Know What's on Your Credit Report? How to obtain a free report and file disputes...
All Pennsylvania consumers should check their credit reports every year. Even if you think your credit history is good and your FICO score is above average, please check your reports. You never know what you may find. You could find the wrong social security number, the wrong address, or the wrong middle name. Even worse, you could find old unsatisfactory accounts that should be deleted that are bringing your score down, you could find re-aged debts, or even identify theft.Why wait until you try to obtain a credit card, a car, or a house to find out that your credit report is wrong? Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) there are statutes that dictate what is and what is not allowed on a person's credit report. For example, a defaulted debt is only allowed to stay on your credit history for seven (7) years. That is seven years from the date of the first day of default. After the seven years is over, the debt should be removed.
It is also very important to monitor the debts on your report to make sure nothing is re-aged. The re-aging of debts is very common and often overlooked. The re-aging of debts could happen for a couple of reasons. However, the most common way a debt is re-aged is a scenario as follows:
Jane Doe obtains a credit card. The last payment made on her credit card is June 1, 2006. Jane Doe's credit card debt is sold to debt collector A on November 1, 2006. The day of default on your credit report should be listed as July 1, 2006 (approximately 30 days from the date of last payment). If Debt collector A sells the debt to debt collector B on April 1, 2007, the debt should not be re-reported by debt collector B and the day of default re-aged from July 1, 2006 to April 1, 2007. Thus re-tolling the seven (7) year limit for that debt to remain on your credit report.
Where can I obtain my free credit report?
Consumers by law, are permitted to obtain one free credit report from each credit agency (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) a year. You can obtain all three free credit report by ordering on-line at www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228.
IMPORTANT! There are several companies on the internet that use website names that are very similar to the "real free site". Please, only order from the above official site. If the so-called "free" credit report websites are asking for a credit card number, it is a scam. You DO NOT need to purchase anything to get your free credit reports.
What do I do if I find something inaccurate on my credit report?
If you find something wrong in your report, you need to write to the credit agency (whether it be Experian, TransUnion, Equifax, or all 3) about exactly what information is inaccurate.
I recommend that this dispute is done in writing, via certified mail. Also, if you have any documentation that supports your dispute, please mail a copy of the documentation along with your certified letter. The agency will then have time to investigate your claim. Usually, you should hear back from the agency within 45 days from the date of your dispute.
I also recommend that you send the same dispute letter with the documentation via certified mail to the original creditor and/or the debt collection company that provided this information to the credit reporting agency.
Here are the addresses and phone numbers for disputes:
Equifax: PO Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374, 1-800-797-7033
Experian: NCAC PO Box 9595, Allen, TX 75013, 1-800-583-4080; and
TransUnion: PO Box 200, Chester PA 19022, 1-800-916-8800.
If you have any questions or need any help filing disputes over inaccurate information on your credit report(s), please contact consumer Attorney Jeff Suher for a free consultation of your Fair Credit Reporting Act rights.
Library for Do you Know What's on Your Credit Report? How to obtain a free report and file disputes...:
- Fair Credit Report Act - Workshop to Help Pennsylvania Consumers Understand and Dispute Information on Their Credit Reports! [PDF]
Description: Jeff Suher, Pittsburgh consumer attorney, to host a workshop held by Single Step Strategies. Come learn about the information on your credit report, learn how to file disputes with the credit agenies and your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. - Facts for Pittsburgh Consumers About Your Credit Report
Description: Information from Pittsburgh Attorney Jeff Suher about credit reports. What to do if your credit report contains wrong information, how to file disputes with each credit agency and where to obtain your free credit report.
Web Resources for Do you Know What's on Your Credit Report? How to obtain a free report and file disputes...:
- The real free credit report
Description: To obtain "the real" free credit report you are entitled to use this link.
Jeffrey L. Suher, PC
4328 Old William Penn Highway, Suite 2J
Monroeville, PA 15146
Phone: (412) 374-9005
Fax: (412) 374-0799
Videos
General:
FAQs
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act for Pennsylvania Consumers
- What debts are covered?
- Who is a debt collector?
- How may a debt collector contact me?
- Can I stop a debt collector from contacting me?
- What if I'm represented by an attorney?
Fair Credit Reporting Act for Consumers Rights
- What happens if I dispute the debt?
- Can a debt collector take me to Court?
- How long does a delinquent debt stay on your credit report?