In 1996, two bankers started giant debt-collection business Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC (PRA), with its headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, and other commonwealth offices in Danville and Hampton as well as in other states. In about 25 years, PRA has become one...

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Consumer Protection
FDCPA bans debt collectors from trying to collect stale debts
On April 26, 2023, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) reinforced its official stance that debt collectors may not attempt to collect stale consumer debts. The agency did so in a new Advisory Opinion about this prohibition of the Fair Debt...
Identity theft ruin your good credit? Fight to correct your score.
Did someone steal your identity and use it to spend your money, use your good credit to open fraudulent accounts or take out loans in your name? The ways an identity thief can exploit your personal identifying information are endless. You may be surprised at the...
Permissible purposes for release or use of consumer reports
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a relatively new federal agency primarily responsible for protecting consumer use of financial products and services through enforcement of federal consumer financial laws. This responsibility includes oversight of...
Travel scams: Buyer beware
After two years of lockdowns and various restrictions, consumers want to regain a sense of normalcy and naturally “consume.” For many, that means taking a long-awaited vacation. While travel companies are at the ready to map out the dream getaway, consumers should be...
The benefits of the Truth in Lending Act
Prior to 1968, consumers applying for a credit card, a place to live, or a vehicle to drive were beholden to lenders running amok with unethical and outright predatory lending practices. Within the fine print of an agreement, they would bury important data to conceal...
Another day, another so-called “COVID cure”
The moment that COVID-19 breached the borders of the United States, less than ethical people have tried to make money off the misery of others. However, attempting to generate a fast buck by playing into legitimate fear of a deadly virus has consequences. The...
The lure of so-called free tax services
Once a year, consumers rely on TurboTax to help them with the drudgery that is income tax preparation. The convenience and automation make an often painful process a bit easier. Yet, for a company that made $2 billion in 2021, Inuit, the maker of the tax software,...
Good credit means little in today’s automotive market
Having a good credit rating requires discipline and diligence. The rewards of a high FICO score mean lower interest rates when applying for a credit card or purchasing a vehicle. However, a recent Consumer Reports investigation revealed that consumers looking to...
The problem with tenant screening reports
Most residential landlords rely on tenant screening reports to decide if lease applicants are good candidates. A property owner can see in a report if a prospective tenant has had steady employment and a history of paying bills on time. The report could also reveal...