Bankruptcy Attorney News – Peter Francis Geraci Law, call us at 800 CALL PFG

This week the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) sued the multiple law firms, and attorneys, who charged illegal fees to consumers.  The law firms accepted illegal fees as debt relief agencies.  The lawsuit has been filed in Federal Court and alleges that the law firms, Williamson Law Firm, LLC, Howard Law P.C., and Williamson & Howard, LLP exploited consumers.  The CFPB director Richard Cordray said,

“The defendants exploited consumers who were already suffering financial difficulties by tricking them into paying steep, illegal fees, we put a stop to this scam once already, and we intend to do it again.”

According to rules, generally, debt relief agencies are not allowed to charge a fee until a debt has actually been settled, reduced or the terms of the debt have charged.

The complaint, filed by the CFPB, indicates the law firm’s debt relief program started in 2007, when Vincent Howard and Lawrence Williamson joined Morgan Drexen, Inc.  Vincent Howard moved “Howard Law” into Morgan Drexen’s office and utilized the Morgan Drexen computer platform to develop intake procedures, contracts, and other documents to manage a debt relief program.  According to the complaint, part of the debt relief program included accepting “advance fees” prior to settlement.  Accepting these fees is a violation of Telemarketing Sales Rule under 16 CFR 310.4(a)(5)(i)(a)-(B).  The debt relief agency grew to 100 attorneys and, according to the complaint, collected millions of dollars in unlawful fees.

The suit, filed by the CFPB, asserts the law firms violated statutes in the Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act, the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud Rule, and the Consumer Financial Protection Act.  The CFPB is seeking civil penalties, refunds to consumers, court costs, in addition to stopping the lawyer’s debt relief program.

The complaint can be read: http://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/201701_cfpb_Howard-Williamson-complaint.pdf

 

January 31, 2017: “Thank you, PFG! You helped in my most desperate moment. I thought that I had nowhere to turn because of the creditors. Your law firm showed myself a way out of my debt that was easy to understand every part of the way. 3 years later, Chapter 13 complete!!!”

G+ “a week ago”:  “My experience has been nothing but amazing. They are pros at helping you with your student loans. And there help is there long after you’ve filed if you need anything. Ashley is amazing!”

G+ “a week ago”: “Very professional and informative. My attorneys contacted and followed up with all my creditors and most of all show me ways I can manage my finances. I’m pleased with my services with Mr. Geraci office.”

G+ “2 weeks ago”: “I was recommended to the Geraci law office 3 years ago and was very pleased with the initial interview and continued service that I received. All of the lawyers at Peter Francis Geraci understand how nervous clients can be when it comes to facing over whelming financial debt, even when I called in several times about questions that I had forgotten to ask while in the office. I would also like to thank Attorney Ashley N. Chike for her help and assistance in my case.”

G+ “2 weeks ago”: “I have a great experience dealing with the Geraci law firm they have made this very easy to deal with. I was overwhelmed and they were kind, informative and I was well educated on the whole procedure . I recommend using them I am 110 satisfied. Everyone I came across from the geraci law firm were great”

January 26, 2016:  “My Attorney Joseph D at the 95th office but in Chicago was very helpful in my time of distress I would recommended him to anybody very funny which was a calm down method for me.”

January 26, 2016:  “I couldn’t be any happier. Everything went smoothly, with my case. Anytime I needed something or had a question, they were willing to help. No complaints here.”

January 26, 2016:  “They took the time to explain every detail and answer every question, very professional and helpful firm.” 

January 26, 2016:   “It was during the time, experienced my 2nd Heart Attack it relieved a lot of stress off of me.”

January 25, 2016:  “I am glad to say, I feel I have top, professional help using Peter Francis Geraci’s law firm. I would highly recommend this Law Firm to my friends, family and any one else seeking relief from dept.”

January 24, 2016:  “THE STAFF WAS GREAT AND VERY MUCH KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT ME FILING BANKRUPTCY. THEY WAS QUICK AND EFFICIENT. I WOULD REFER EVERYBODY TO THEM. THANK YOU AGAIN”

January 24, 2016:  “I am making my last payment on a Chapter 13 next month. Geraci Law has been fantastic every step of the way. From our initial meeting 5 yrs ago, to every time I met with or called Andy they were professional and courteous. Have recommended them to others!”

January 25, 2017:  “I am glad to say, I feel I have top, professional help using Peter Francis Geraci’s law firm. I would highly recommend this Law Firm to my friends, family and any one else seeking relief from dept.”

January 23, 2017:  “Geraci Law was professional and efficient. They were able to stop a garnishment immediately. It was a pleasure working with Brent and Abe.”

January 20, 2017:  “From the very first moment I stepped into the office I have been more than satisfied. The attorneys Tarek ****** and Ricardo ***** were amazing I felt like they were genuinely helpful and seemed very happy and pleased in helping me restore my credit. I feel as if I was getting helped instead of being judged of my problems. I’m glad to be working with such GOOD people and can’t wait to see how it turns out.”

January 18, 2017:  “Morgan D***** and Geraci Law were both a big relief! Morgan helped me immensely and was a big relief to my problem. It took a lot of stress off; I thought I was doing the right thing by paying my creditors through a debt consolidation company and basically got taken. I was in debt but paying minimum payments and I thought the consolidation company could help me and it did not. I came to Geraci Law and got protection within two weeks. I am glad so glad to be done with the debt!”

January 16, 2017:  “I would like to congratulate the Peter Francis Geraci Law Offices for their professionalism and non-judgmental attitudes as they worked collectively to solve the problems of their clients. I would like to personally thank my lawyer, Ashley N. Chike, who always responded in a timely and professional manner.”

January 13, 2017:  “I saw commercials about PFG and decided to give them a call. They have been very helpful through the process of getting things started for me and setting me more at ease. I would recommend them to my friends and family if they were ever in this position of financial trouble.”

January 11, 2017:  “I met with Wylie and Lizette at the Cicero office and they were both wonderful. They made the process EASY and answered all of my questions and took great care of me”

January 11, 2017:  “The legal team at Peter Francis Geraci Law firm have been extremely helpful during this stressful time. At no time did they make me feel like a bad person and I appreciated that. I need the help and they are great to work with during this process.”

 

The consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) reports, “one-in-four consumers contacted by debt collectors felt threatened” and more than 40 percent of consumers asked debt collectors to stop contacting them.

Debt collection is a common practice.  More than 6,000 debt collection firms operate in the United States.  When a person defaults on either a bank loan, payday loan, medical bill or other debt, the lender of the debt can sell the debt to a third party.  The lender will typically sell the debt for pennies on the dollar to receive some return on the debt.

Debt collectors are required to stop contacting debtors upon proper request.  Unfortunately, 75% of consumers continue to be harassed after requesting the debt collector stop contacting them.  The CFPB also reported consumers are contacted at hours as late as 9PM and early as 8AM, which is prohibited by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

None of CFPB’s reports is news to Geraci Law.  One of the main motivators, for Geraci Law clients, is creditor harassment.  Clients report payday loan places threatening them over the phone, calls during work hours, and creditors contacting a client’s supervisor.  Why?  Because collection agencies have a history of being nasty and not following Fair Debt Collection Practices.

Approximately 15% of individuals, contacted by a debt collection agency, end up being sued.  The CFPB reports 75 percent of the sued individuals do not attend court.  As a result, the court puts a default judgment against the consumer.  The consumer’s wages can be garnished up to an allotted percentage of their income.

Geraci Law knows how to stop creditor harassment and wage garnishments.  With more than 40 years of consumer finance experience, Geraci Law L.L.C. has helped over 150,000 people obtain financial freedom.

The CFPB’s report is available on their site at: http://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/201701_cfpb_Debt-Collection-Survey-Report.pdf

January 14, 2017: “I chose Geraci law because they’ve the best reviews for my situation. They’ve been very helpful in the process from beginning to end and I highly recommend them for chapter 7 or 13 representation.”

January 12, 2017: “Back in October of 2011 I went to see attorney Brent Berning at the Geraci Law office on Mayfair Road in Wauwatosa Wisconsin. I was obviously very nervous and upset about my situation and from the minute I sat down Mr. Berning put me right at ease.

This whole experience was more than I could have hoped for. There have been absolutely no glitches and Gerace Law has kept me informed throughout the whole process. If I had a question I could easily use their online website as a regisered user to submit my questions. The responses I got were almost immediate and very professional.

I would definitely recommend Geraci Law to friends and family!”

January 12, 2017: “From the first conversation to actually meeting an attorney I was pleasurable. David out of the Berwyn, Il location is very humble and very understanding. I would recommend him and the company to anyone that’s considering filing and don’t know where to start”