Don’t Feel Bad, Get Mad. Stand Up To Consumer Abuse.
Protecting the rights of consumers in Minnesota and nationwide.
Minnesota Consumer Rights Blog
3 countermeasures to take with predatory debt collectors
If you have ever been behind or unable to pay a consumer debt that you owe, you have probably had the unfortunate experience to deal with a high-pressure debt collector. At best, debt collector tactics are annoying, but at their worst, they can be unethical and, in...
Invasion of privacy and the protection of driver’s license data
We live in a hyperconnected world where information is currency and disinformation can scorch across the internet and social media. Confidential information is incredibly valuable to hackers and data traffickers who can leverage our most sensitive details into profit....
What is caller ID spoofing?
In a digital society, it is nearly impossible to avoid unwanted calls. It is rare for the average Minnesotan to be without a cell phone; therefore, the ringing or buzzing of a call from an unknown number is an inevitable occurrence. But who are these calls from? And...
How long does adverse information remain on your credit report?
If you've ever tried to qualify for a credit card or a personal, car or home loan and have been denied for it, then it likely has something to do at least in part with the negative information contained on your credit report. If you're wondering how long your bad...
To what lengths will a repo agent go to pick up a car?
You shouldn't have to worry about your car being picked up by the repo agent if you've made timely payments on your car loan. Vehicles sometimes get repossessed even when borrowers pay on time though. While this often happens because of computer glitches or bad...
Questions to ask a debt collector who contacts you
It doesn't matter if you're surprised to hear from a debt collector or you were expecting the call, nothing changes the fact that you have legal rights that you need to protect. If you don't know what you should and shouldn't do, it's possible that you'll make a...
How long do creditors get to investigate disputed charge claims?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a piece of federal legislation that aims to protect consumers from unethical creditors. It places a high value on transparency. This is one of the reasons why this piece of legislation gives consumers the right to request a free...
What does abusive debt collection look like?
When you're in debt, the last thing you need is someone constantly reminding you of your financial situation. Unfortunately, if your account has been sent to debt collection, you can expect some level of interaction with a debt collector. But there's something you...
When can sales promotions be perceived as deceptive?
You were likely tempted by numerous sales this winter holiday season that just wrapped up. While you may be good at deciding between wants versus needs, there are plenty of other individuals that haven't yet mastered making such decisions. Many advertisers invest...
Emailed faxes don’t violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on Dec. 9 that emailed faxes aren't illegal under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). A spokesperson for the federal agency gave the FCC's reasoning for reaching such a conclusion when announcing their...
