Not long ago I wrote about a debt relief company, DMB Financial that sued the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in what looked like an effort to get out from under an investigation. See this post. Well, a few minutes ago, I was notified the CFPB went ahead and sued them. The CFPB said, “Today, … Read more
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Connecticut go after someone for debt adjusting or debt negotiation services. But it looks like they are back. The State alleges that Pedroso Legal Services LLC a/k/a ELAWNJ.COM accepted money from one Connecticut consumer for debt help. “7. Legal Services is a New Jersey limited liability company … Read more
In researching my last post on DMB Financial about the lawsuit they filed against the CFPB I could not help but notice recent suit against them by a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee in NC. I can’t imagine there are many fun days in DMB Financial these days unless you like conflict. On October 14, 2020, … Read more
DMB Financial filed suit yesterday agains the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). DMB Financial says, “In 2016, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts initiated an investigation against DMB that was designed to seek retribution for DMB’s Chief Operating Officer exercising his right to appear in front of the State Legislature to oppose legislation the Commonwealth’s Attorney General … Read more
Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) filed a lawsuit against FDATR, Inc., and its owners, Dean Tucci and Kenneth Wayne Halverson. The Bureau alleges that FDATR, Tucci, and Halverson violated the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) by engaging in deceptive and abusive telemarketing acts or practices and the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 (CFPA) … Read more
[Update November 19, 2020 – I heard from GreenPath and they confirmed they do not engage in debt settlement or credit repair as the second suit alleges. I fully expect that suit to be dismissed quickly. The two suits against GreenPath are unfortunate news, not necessarily because of the technical issues that can be resolved … Read more
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) just announced a lawsuit against Performance SLC, Performance Settlement, and CEO Daniel Crenshaw. As part of that suit, the CFPB also had some strong feelings about settlement companies that draw in consumers with hope of getting an unsecured loan and instead wind up pitched a debt-settlement solution. The claims … Read more
Theron Jay Marrs, formally of Living Free and Clear, has agreed to head to federal prison for tax evasion. TJ Marrs popped up on one of my old alerts. He came to my attention in 2010 for his role in the mortgage scheme of Living Free and Clear. I could not help see the irony … Read more
What began as an action by the Federal Trade Commission against Brandon Frere, AFB, AF Student Services, Ameritech Financial, and Financial Education Benefits Center has almost reached its conclusion, reporting to prison. As a result of Frere’s student loan assistance activities, he was nabbed by the FBI at the airport. Frere was to report to … Read more
American Financial Support Services, and others were sued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over debt relief practices. It appears that Carey Howe, Anna Howe, Shunmin Hsu, Ruddy Palacios, and Oliver Pomazi have finally reached an agreement with the FTC to close their involvement in the case. Under the proposed stipulated order for permanent injunction … Read more
Last week we had the messy divorce between Albert Kim and Kaine Wen and their attorneys at Venable in the action against Premier Student Loan Center. Venable was caught in a tough spot with the “it’s not us, it’s you” dilemma, and anyway it was said Wen and Kim were not going to be able … Read more
There is nothing earth-shattering in this court filing by Kaine Wen in the case where the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) went after Premier Student Loan Center. However, if you wanted to see a client-attorney relationship meltdown in public, this is the document for you to read. The full document is at the end. Kaine … Read more
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) settled with Timemark, Inc., a company based in Deerfield Beach, Florida, that provides debt-relief services to consumers with federal student-loan debt, and with its owners and officers, Timothy Lenihan, Sr., Mark Nagler, and Casey Gassaway. The Bureau alleged that the defendants charged illegal advance fees in violation of the … Read more
Brandon Frere seems to be nearing the end of his legal issues with both the FTC and U.S. Attorney. A recent court filing in the American Financial Benefits Center case said, “As the Court is aware, on December 20, 2019, Defendant Brandon Frere entered a plea of guilty to one count each of wire fraud … Read more
Ice Legal out of Lake Worth Florida has found a target in firms that were engaged in debt settlement. I’ve just discovered a complaint filed in Florida in March 2020 that targets Strategic Financial Solutions, F.Solutions, Strategic Client Support, Summit Client Services, Ryan Sasson, Kimberly Celic, Lauren Montanile, Wyolaw, Jason Blust, Guillermo Geisse, Timothy Burnette, … Read more