Tag: debt collection calls

Debt Collection

How Federal Laws Protect You When Dealing with Debt Collectors

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Dealing with debt collectors can be stressful. Their job is to get the consumer to pay on a debt at any means necessary, which can often mean through coercion, harassment, and fear. Many debt collectors have been known to use aggressive or illegal tactics to collect on a debt, leaving many consumers to feel like they have no choice but to make payment to get them to go away. However, federal law offers certain protections when it comes to debt collectors. It is important that consumers understand what these protections are so that they are aware of what rights they do have when dealing with debt collectors.

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), nearly one in every four people have a debt in collections. Illegal debt collection practice is a common complaint made to the CFPB.  

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

How Filing for Bankruptcy Can Reinstate Your Driver’s License

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Filing for bankruptcy can provide different forms of relief for individuals facing financial crisis. Bankruptcy can help lift the burden that comes with facing collection calls, wage garnishment and related lawsuits, and provide you with a fresh financial start. However, many people are surprised to learn that you have options to have your driver’s license reinstated through bankruptcy.

The Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can suspend your driver’s license for a number of different reasons, and one of those reasons for suspension can include debt, although many individuals are not aware of this as a possible consequence.  If your license was suspended due to outstanding debt, it is possible that bankruptcy can help eliminate this debt, allowing your license to be reinstated.

The most common reason for why an individual’s license would be suspended due to debt is if the person was involved in a car accident and either did not have insurance or was under-insured. If he or she was found to be at-fault for the accident and did not have the money to pay for the other person’s injuries or property damages, the at-fault driver could end up losing his or her license, especially if a judgement is entered against them.

The consequences of losing your license can be far reaching. Not having the ability to drive can put you in an even more difficult financial situation, especially if you depend on driving to get to and from work or take your children to school or daycare. If you do not have adequate public transportation available to get you to your job and are not able to rely on the assistance of others, not having a license can result in you losing your job, thus making your financial situation even worse. It can be nearly impossible to make the money to repay the debt, digging that person further into a debt hole.

If your driver’s license has been revoked due to your debt, you can either pay the debt in full, or, if you do not have the funds available, consider filing for bankruptcy. Debts that are associated with car accidents are often considered dischargeable debts and are thus discharged when the bankruptcy case is successfully closed.

As long as you include the car accident and insurance company in your list of debts, you can have your driver’s license reinstated through bankruptcy. However, it is required that your license be eligible for reinstatement. For example, if you were not carrying auto insurance before the accident you will have to show proof of insurance before your license is reinstated.

See what one of our clients has to say about having their license reinstated through bankruptcy and their debt burden lifted…

Posted by Daniel on AVVO.com on December‎ ‎11‎, ‎2018
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Driver License Back – Thanks to the professional work from Timothy Kingcade I enjoy the pleasure to have My Driver’s License back. Now to make money selling cars… Thanks…

If you have questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

 

 

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

What happens if I ignore a debt collector?

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If you are unable to make payments on a debt, you may be tempted to turn a blind eye until you are able to come up with the money. But this is one of the worst things you can do.  You always have the right to ignore a debt collector, but it will not make the debt go away.  Here are some possible scenarios that can occur if you ignore a debt collector:

They leave you alone.  You might think this is a good thing and perhaps the debt collector has forgotten about your debt.  But this is unfortunately not the case.

Your credit score suffers.  A past due debt will appear on your credit report regardless of whether you respond to debt collection attempts or not.

Your debt is transferred to another company. If the first collector is unable to reach you after repeated attempts, your account can wind up with a different agency.  This can happen a number of times if the balance remains unpaid.

The debt continues to grow. Just because you stop paying your debt, does not mean the interest stops growing.  Add on collection costs and this can cause the debt to double over time.

They reach out to people you know.  Debt collectors can reach out to people who know you to try and locate you, especially if you have changed your phone number or address to avoid collection attempts.  They are not allowed to tell them about your debt.  Revealing debt to third parties (i.e. – family, neighbors, friends, co-workers, etc.) is a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

A lawsuit is filed against you. Ignoring a debt and failing to communicate with a debt collector can result in you being sued. You can try your best to defend yourself, but if a judgment is entered against you it can result in wage garnishment and even funds being withdrawn from your bank account to pay off the debt.

Stress mounts.  The stress of debt can cause anxiety, sleepless nights, even marital problems. Avoiding debt collectors can leave you on the edge, wondering when the next phone call will be or collection letter will arrive in the mail.

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If you have any questions on this topic or are struggling with out of control credit card debt, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

How to Spot a Real IRS Debt Collection Call from a Scam

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The IRS recently announced that it will be making collection calls to collect on delinquent taxes, something they maintained for years would never happen.  Not surprisingly, scammers are making the most of the opportunity.  According to the IRS, losses have mounted to more than $20,000,000, as a result of the IRS Imposter Scam.

If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, consider these important tips to determine if the call is real or a scam.

  • There are only four authorized firms nationwide, which include:
  1. CBE Group of Cedar Falls, Iowa;
  2. Conserve of Fairport, N.Y.;
  3. Performant of Livermore, Calif.; and
  4. Pioneer of Horseheads, N.Y.
  • If you owe taxes, only one of these firms will contact you.
  • You likely know who you are. You will not receive a call if you pay your taxes on-time and regularly. If you are delinquent in tax payments, you will receive multiple written notifications from the IRS, before your case is turned over to one of the listed debt collection firms.
  • The IRS will send a letter to notify you that your case has been turned over to one of these companies. The collection company will also send you a letter regarding their authorization to call on behalf of the IRS.
  • The company will not ask for payment to be made to them, nor will they ask for payment on a Money Card.
  • These companies will not threaten you.

If you are still unsure if you have unpaid tax debts from previous years, you can go to IRS.gov and check your account balance. If the account balance says zero that means nothing is due, and you should not be receiving calls from the IRS or one of these collection companies.

Click here to learn more on the IRS Imposter Scam.

If you are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.