Monthly Archives: March 2023
When Auto Lenders Violate Consumer Laws
Auto lenders can violate consumer laws by engaging in predatory lending and unfair practices with auto title loans in violation of the Consumer Financial Protection and Truth in Lending Acts. Specifically, a number of these entities are privately held companies that operate using multiple trade names and offer automobile title loans and unsecured loan… Read More »
Partner Andrew Gerling Presenting At National Business Institute’s Upcoming Course, Real Estate Foreclosure In Ohio
Andrew Gerling is a partner at Kohl & Cook Law Firm, LLC. He oversees the firm’s consumer litigation and small business practices. Please consider joining Andrew as he presents, with other distinguished counsel, a course through the National Business Institute (NBI) entitled “Real Estate Foreclosure in Ohio, Step by Step” on Wednesday, May 03, 2023. Course Content: Foreclosure:… Read More »
Consumer Class Actions Filed Against PayPal For Breaches
In March, consumer law lawsuits were filed against PayPal in conjunction with a data breach that affected 35,000 users. Specifically, one class action lawsuit accuses the company of failing to adequately safeguard the private information of its users, leaving them vulnerable to identity theft. In the litigation, plaintiffs have accused PayPal of failing to… Read More »
Airlines & Consumer Law Violations
In January, the US Department of Transportation announced that airlines have regularly been violating consumer protection laws. There are thousands of complaints every year involving systematic failures to provide required credits to those who lost travel opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent examples include Southwest Airlines canceling close to 16,000 flights to date and… Read More »
Conflicts Of Interests Inside Homeowners Associations
As attorneys who work on consumer protection, real estate, and Homeowners Association (HOA) foreclosure disputes, we frequently receive questions about general conflict of interest queries. One example of where conflict of interest issues can arise in these areas can involve HOA board members and the various interests that they represent. For example, if an… Read More »
Harassing & Threatening Debt Collection Practices
More than 60 percent of consumers have indicated that they have been contacted far too frequently by creditors and/or debt collectors, and every year, there are thousands of consumer complaints related to debt collection. While consumer debt is on the rise, unfortunately, there are a number of entities out there hired to engage in… Read More »
When Messy Contractor Disputes Cause Damage
When you enter into a work agreement with a contractor, you expect that work to be done with professionalism and in accordance with the highest standards. Unfortunately, for a number of people who enter into these contracts, it can become frustrating and sad to come home, depending upon whether and to what extent damage… Read More »
Amazon Home Warranty And Amazon Warranty Administrators Found Violating The Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act
Over the last five years, more than 1,000 Columbus, Ohio consumers have filed consumer law complaints with the Better Business Bureau over violations of the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act by Amazon Home Warranty and Amazon Warranty Administrators. The companies are accused of using online platforms to advertise residential service contracts to homebuyers and… Read More »
Mortgage Fraud Is On The Rise
Mortgage fraud is unfortunately on the rise as one of the top consumer law violations – specifically, income and property value fraud. Mortgage fraud can occur when lenders prey on unsuspecting consumers in order to falsely inflate the value of property to obtain equity or cash from homeowners or lenders. It can also come… Read More »
Avoiding Foreclosure When You Have Equity In Your Home
For those who are delinquent on their home payments, a mortgage loan modification, deferral, or standalone partial claim can sometimes help them to stay in the home. However, there are also some circumstances under which homeowners struggling with foreclosure might choose to sell their home instead of pursuing a loan modification in an attempt… Read More »