Debt Defense Law: Miami Attorney Erik Kardatzke

03/23/2023

Portfolio Associates is once again being penalized by the CFPB for their dirty debt collection practices. If you are being sued or harassed by a debt collector, contact a local consumer attorney for help!

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) took action today against Portfolio Recovery Associates, one of the largest debt collectors in the nation, for violating a 2015 CFPB order and engaging in other violations of law.

03/10/2023

From the article below--"More than two-thirds of hospitals sue patients or take other legal action against them, such as garnishing wages or placing liens on property, according to a recent KHN investigation. A quarter sell patients' debts to debt collectors, who in turn can pursue patients for years for unpaid bills. About 1 in 5 deny nonemergency care to people with outstanding debt."
If you are facing a medical debt lawsuit, contact a local consumer attorney to review your case.

More than 50 consumer and patient groups want the Biden Administration to aggressively protect Americans from medical bills and debt collectors. The effort follows a KHN/NPR investigation.

02/15/2023

"As balances rise, so have delinquencies..."
Florida consumers, be aware of your rights regarding credit card debt. If you are being sued or harassed by credit card companies or their debt collectors, contact a local consumer attorney.

Inflation and higher interest rates boosted credit card debt to a record $930.6 billion at the end of 2022, a 18.5% jump from a year earlier, TransUnion found.

10/22/2022

Biden's student debt relief plan is temporarily blocked. However, APPLICATIONS ARE STILL OPEN AND BEING PROCESSED.
Here's what you need to know:

Nearly 22 million people — more than half of qualifying borrowers — have signed up. The Biden administration says it is continuing to accept and review applications during the temporary hold.

10/20/2022

NOW LIVE: Click the link below to start the Biden-Harris student loan debt relief application, or to learn more about the program.

09/08/2022

Payday loan scams are on the rise. Check out the attached article for an overview on how these scammers operate, who they target, and how to avoid their dirty tricks.

Consumers are being targeted by scammers who are impersonating debt collectors, lenders and others. Don't assume the text you just got is real.

08/31/2022

This brief but thorough overview of FDCPA protections to consumers is worth a read. Credit card spending is rising with inflation, and debt collectors continue to actively pursue payment on past due accounts. Know your rights! Contact a local consumer attorney for help if your rights described in the FDCPA have been violated.

Getting hounded by debt collectors? Check out the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. It’s a collector’s book of rules. Here’s everything you need to know.

07/24/2022

Florida's back-to-school tax-free weekend runs from July 25 - August 7! Click below for details on items that qualify, online purchase rules, gift card use, and refunds.https://floridarevenue.com/backtoschool/Documents/2022/2022%20Florida%20Back-to-School%20Sales%20Tax%20Holiday%20-%20External%20FAQs%20-%20Consumers.pdf

07/04/2022

Happy Fourth of July Miami! Our office is closed today so our amazing Debt Defense staff can relax, recharge, and celebrate! We will be back in the office bright and early tomorrow, July 5. (Photo: Colton Duke)

05/03/2022

FPL has settled a class action lawsuit involving consumers contacted between 11/16/19 and 11/15/21. "Under FCCPA, several collections practices are prohibited — including sending any debt-collection communications to customers between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. local time." Always remember--consumers have rights! If you are being harassed by telephone or electronic communication about debt collection issues, consult a local consumer attorney for details of what is and is not permitted!

Florida Power & Light Co. agreed to pay $500,000 to resolve claims it violated Florida debt collection law with excessive emails.