Tag Archives: companies
Widespread Data Breaches Uncovered on P2P File Sharing Networks
February 22nd, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Fraud, Scams. No Comments.
Yet another reason to not install P2P file sharing software on a computer that contains your personal information. FTC Warns of Improper Release of Sensitive Consumer Data on P2P File-Sharing Networks The Federal Trade Commission has notified almost 100 organizations that personal information, including sensitive data about customers and/or employees, has been shared from the organizations’ computer networks and is available on peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing networks to any users of those networks, who could use it to commit identity theft or fraud. The agency also has opened non-public investigations of other companies whose customer or employee information has been exposed on P2P networks. To help businesses manage the security risks presented by file-sharing software, the FTC is releasing new education materials that present the risks and recommend ways to manage them. Peer-to-peer technology can be used in many ways, such as to play games, make online telephone calls, and, through P2P file-sharing software, share music, video, and documents. But when P2P file-sharing software is not configured properly, files not intended for sharing may be accessible to anyone on the P2P network. “Unfortunately, companies and institutions of all sizes are vulnerable to serious P2P-related breaches, placing consumers’ sensitive information at risk. For example, we found health-related information, financial records, and drivers’ license and social security numbers–the kind of information that could lead to identity theft,” said FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz. “Companies should take a hard look at their systems to ensure that there are no unauthorized P2P file-sharing programs and that authorized programs are properly configured and secure. Just as important, companies that distribute P2P programs, for their part, should ensure that their software design does not contribute to inadvertent file sharing.” As the nation’s consumer protection agency, the FTC enforces laws that require companies in various industries to take reasonable and appropriate security measures to protect sensitive personal information, including the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and Section 5 of the FTC Act. Failure to prevent such information from being shared to a P2P network may violate such laws. Information about the FTC’s privacy and data security enforcement actions can be found at www.ftc.gov/privacy/privacyinitiatives/ promises_enf.html . The notices went to both private and public entities, including schools and local governments, and the entities contacted ranged in size from businesses with as few as eight employees to publicly held corporations employing tens of thousands. In the notification letters, the FTC urged the entities to review their security practices and, if appropriate, the practices of contractors and vendors, to ensure that they are reasonable, appropriate, and in compliance with the law. The letters state, “It is your responsibility to protect such information from unauthorized access, including taking steps to control the use of P2P software on your own networks and those of your service providers.” The FTC also recommended that the entities identify affected customers and employees and consider whether to notify them that their information is available on P2P networks. Many states and federal regulatory agencies have laws or guidelines about businesses’ notification responsibilities in these circumstances. Samples of the notification letters can be found at: http://www.ftc.gov/os/2010/02/100222sampleletter-a.pdf , http://www.ftc.gov/os/2010/02/100222sampleletter-b.pdf , http://www.ftc.gov/os/2010/02/100222sampleletter-c.pdf . The fact that a company received a letter does not mean that the company necessarily violated any law enforced by the Commission. Letters went to companies under FTC jurisdiction, as well as entities such as banks and public agencies over which the agency does not have jurisdiction. The FTC appreciates the assistance of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of Thrift Supervision, and the Office of Comptroller of the Currency. The new business education brochure – titled Peer-to-Peer File Sharing: A Guide for Business – is designed to assist businesses and others as they consider whether to allow file-sharing technologies on their networks, and explain how to safeguard sensitive information on their systems, and other security recommendations. This information is available at www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/idtheft/bus46.shtm . Tips for consumers about computer security and P2P can be found at www.onguardonline.gov/topics/p2p-security.aspx . The Federal Trade Commission works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, click http://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or call 1-877-382-4357. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,700 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. For free information on a variety of consumer topics, click http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm .
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Widespread Data Breaches Uncovered on P2P File Sharing Networks
FTC Warns 78 Retailers, Including Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart, to Stop Labeling and Advertising Rayon Textile Products as "Bamboo"
February 3rd, 2010. Published under Business Scams, Fraud, Scams. No Comments.
Seventy-eight companies nationwide have received Federal Trade Commission letters warning that they may be breaking the law by selling clothing and other textile products that are labeled and advertised as “bamboo,” but actually are made of manufactured rayon fiber. The letters, which the agency’s staff sent last week, make the retailers aware of the FTC’s concerns about possible mislabeling of rayon products as “bamboo,” so the companies can take corrective steps to avoid Commission action. “We need to make sure companies use proper labeling and advertising in their efforts to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers,” said David C. Vladeck, Director of the agency’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Rayon is rayon, even if bamboo has been used somewhere along the line in the manufacturing process.” The FTC sued several companies last year for allegedly selling products labeled or advertised as “bamboo” that in reality were made of rayon. Rayon is a man-made fiber created from the cellulose found in plants and trees and processed with harsh chemicals that release hazardous air pollution. Any plant or tree – including bamboo – could be used as the cellulose source, but the fiber that is created is rayon. “While we have seen action by some retailers to correct mislabeled clothing and textile products, our hope is that these warning letters will serve as a wake-up call to all companies, regardless of their size,” Vladeck said. The FTC staff letter outlines the requirements for proper labeling and advertising of textile products derived from bamboo. The letter states, “Rayon, even if manufactured using cellulose from bamboo, must be described using an appropriate term recognized under the FTC’s Textile Rules. . . . Failing to properly label and advertise textiles misleads consumers and runs afoul of both the Textile Rules and the FTC Act.” In the letter, the FTC tells the companies they should review the labeling and advertising for the textile products they are selling and remove or correct any misleading bamboo references. Along with the warning letters, the agency sent each company a synopsis of FTC decisions finding that the failure to use proper fiber names in textile labeling and advertising was deceptive and violated the FTC Act. Under the Act, the FTC can seek civil penalties of up to $16,000 per violation against any company that receives this information but fails to correct its advertising and labeling. A complete list of the companies sent warning letters can be found on the FTC’s Web site and as a link to this press release. They include small and large retailers, with both online and brick-and-mortar stores, and firms selling textile products labeled or advertised as “bamboo” that may be made of rayon. The more commonly known retailers include: Amazon.com, Barney’s New York, Bed Bath & Beyond, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Bloomingdale’s, Costco Wholesale, Garnet Hill, Gold Toe, Hanes, Isotoner, JC Penney, Jockey, Kmart, Kohl’s, Land’s End, Macy’s, Maidenform, Nordstrom, Overstock.com, QVC, REI, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sears, Shop NBC, Spiegel, Sports Authority, Target, The Gap, The Great Indoors, Tommy Bahama, Toys R’ Us, Wal-Mart, and Zappos.com . Recent Enforcement Actions. Today’s announcement comes on the heels of four FTC enforcement actions brought against companies selling rayon products that were misleadingly labeled and advertised. According to the Commission’s complaints, filed in August 2009, the companies falsely claimed that their rayon clothing and other textile products were “bamboo fiber,” marketing them using names such as “ecoKashmere,” “Pure Bamboo,” “Bamboo Comfort,” and “BambooBaby.” The complaints also challenged a number of other deceptive “green” claims, including that the products retained the bamboo plant’s antimicrobial properties, were made using environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, and are biodegradable. The four companies have settled the FTC’s charges and agreed to modify their labels to ensure their claims are not misleading or deceptive. (One of the cases still needs final FTC approval.) Press releases announcing the complaints and related settlements can be found at: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/12/dynabamboo.shtm and http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/bamboosa.shtm , respectively. Business and Consumer Information. The FTC has a publication designed to help businesses that sell clothing and textile products that are labeled as bamboo to market their products in ways that are truthful, non-deceptive, and in compliance with the law. “Avoid Bamboo-zling Your Customers” can be found at http://www.ftc.gov/bamboo . The FTC also has an alert entitled “Have You Been Bamboozled by Bamboo Fabrics?” that provides useful information for consumers shopping for bamboo-based fabrics. It also can be found at http://www.ftc.gov/bamboo . The Commission vote to publicly disclose the warning letters was 4-0. Copies of the letters and a complete list of companies that received them can be found on the FTC’s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov/bamboo and as a link to this press release. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, click: http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/complaint.shtm or call 1-877-382-4357. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,700 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. For free information on a variety of consumer topics, click http://ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm .
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FTC Warns 78 Retailers, Including Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart, to Stop Labeling and Advertising Rayon Textile Products as "Bamboo"
Mortgage Broker Who Dumped Consumer Records Settles FTC Charges
January 20th, 2010. Published under Fraud, Scams. No Comments.
A mortgage broker who discarded consumers’ personal financial records in a publicly- accessible dumpster paid a $35,000 civil penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission charges. According to an FTC complaint filed in December 2008, the defendant improperly disposed of about 40 boxes of sensitive consumer records collected by companies he had owned, including tax returns, mortgage applications, bank statements, photocopies of credit cards and drivers’ licenses, and at least 230 credit reports. In addition, two mortgage brokerage companies he previously owned failed to provide reasonable and appropriate security for sensitive consumer information, despite promising they would do so.
Corrections Officer Arrested for Allegedly Giving Inmate Tobacco – WSAZ-TV
January 9th, 2010. Published under Political Scams. No Comments.
Corrections Officer Arrested for Allegedly Giving Inmate Tobacco WSAZ-TV Then, to top it off, they peddle carbon credits , ie, “indulgences” in the church of global warming, and own the companies that sell them, profiting from … and more
Two Dead in Lawrence Co. Shooting; Names Released – WSAZ-TV
January 8th, 2010. Published under Political Scams. No Comments.
Two Dead in Lawrence Co. Shooting; Names Released WSAZ-TV Then, to top it off, they peddle carbon credits , ie, “indulgences” in the church of global warming, and own the companies that sell them, profiting from … and more
West Virginia State Troopers Say Their Ranks are Dwindling – WSAZ-TV
January 8th, 2010. Published under Political Scams. No Comments.
West Virginia State Troopers Say Their Ranks are Dwindling WSAZ-TV Then, to top it off, they peddle carbon credits , ie, “indulgences” in the church of global warming, and own the companies that sell them, profiting from … and more
Woman Offering Big Screen TV for Return of Her Missing Pet – WSAZ-TV
January 7th, 2010. Published under Political Scams. No Comments.
Woman Offering Big Screen TV for Return of Her Missing Pet WSAZ-TV Then, to top it off, they peddle carbon credits , ie, “indulgences” in the church of global warming, and own the companies that sell them, profiting from … and more
Woman Offering Big Screen TV for Return of Her Missing Pet – WSAZ-TV
January 7th, 2010. Published under Political Scams. No Comments.
Woman Offering Big Screen TV for Return of Her Missing Pet WSAZ-TV Then, to top it off, they peddle carbon credits , ie, “indulgences” in the church of global warming, and own the companies that sell them, profiting from … and more
Cabell Schools Make-Up Days Scheduled – WSAZ-TV
January 6th, 2010. Published under Political Scams. No Comments.
Cabell Schools Make-Up Days Scheduled WSAZ-TV Then, to top it off, they peddle carbon credits , ie, “indulgences” in the church of global warming, and own the companies that sell them, profiting from … and more
Mom of Point Pleasant Teen Killed by Filing Cabinet Sues Doctor – WSAZ-TV
January 6th, 2010. Published under Political Scams. No Comments.
Mom of Point Pleasant Teen Killed by Filing Cabinet Sues Doctor WSAZ-TV Then, to top it off, they peddle carbon credits , ie, “indulgences” in the church of global warming, and own the companies that sell them, profiting from … and more
Foul Play Not Suspected in Death of Woman Found Along Railroad Tracks – WSAZ-TV
January 5th, 2010. Published under Political Scams. No Comments.
Foul Play Not Suspected in Death of Woman Found Along Railroad Tracks WSAZ-TV Then, to top it off, they peddle carbon credits , ie, “indulgences” in the church of global warming, and own the companies that sell them, profiting from … and more
NEW INFO: Kentucky Native Tortured and Killed in Missouri – WSAZ-TV
January 5th, 2010. Published under Political Scams. No Comments.
NEW INFO: Kentucky Native Tortured and Killed in Missouri WSAZ-TV Then, to top it off, they peddle carbon credits , ie, “indulgences” in the church of global warming, and own the companies that sell them, profiting from … and more
Child Duct Taped and Forced to Sleep in Child Safety Seat, Police Say – WSAZ-TV
January 4th, 2010. Published under Political Scams. No Comments.
Child Duct Taped and Forced to Sleep in Child Safety Seat, Police Say WSAZ-TV Then, to top it off, they peddle carbon credits , ie, “indulgences” in the church of global warming, and own the companies that sell them, profiting from … and more
Several Apartment Building Tenants Evicted Due to Safety Concerns – WSAZ-TV
January 4th, 2010. Published under Political Scams. No Comments.
Several Apartment Building Tenants Evicted Due to Safety Concerns WSAZ-TV Then, to top it off, they peddle carbon credits , ie, “indulgences” in the church of global warming, and own the companies that sell them, profiting from … and more
If Hackers Attack Your Business Then You Can Be Held Legally Responsible
January 4th, 2010. Published under Fraud. No Comments.
The next step for mostly anyone that has a brick and mortar store set up out in the real world is to create an online virtual space for their customers to shop in. Of course anyone that is in business has heard of the great advantages that can be gained when you bring your store online. You have access to a lot more customers in a global arena. Plus the use of the latest and greatest software allows your transactions to be made easily without any problems. All you have to do is to take the credit card, process it, and get ready to take the order, right? Wrong, having your business online is a great way to make extra money but there are some considerations that are there that you can not take lightly. One of those are the very serious security issues that can arise from taking someone’s credit card online. If this is handled the wrong way you can be held legally responsible. Right now there is a case going on between the financial institution Capital One and an electronic testing firm from Louisiana. The name of the company is JM test systems and they had more than $97,000 stolen through the use of illegal bank transfers. Capital One is stating that it is not their fault and they are not involved with the transaction beside letting it go through their systems. How this case will pan out is anyone’s guess and will, undoubtedly, be expensive in either case. Therefore, it pays to take sure security seriously. When you are a company that takes a person’s credit card number, you must have the best security that you can possibly afford. You have to be certain that the protection of the numbers is your number one priority and that you take it seriously. If you are a small business the best thing that you can do is to allow a third party entity that is trusted to handle your credit card processing. Look at the companies that get the best reviews and use them. These people are professionals and handle security threats on a daily basis. They will be able to handle the security of your customers personal data better than you can. You have to make sure that when you decide to take orders online that you do not take this responsibility lightly. People are entrusting their credit card numbers in your hands. If you are the one that slips up by not providing enough security then you can be legally liable. If Hackers Attack Your Business Then You Can Be Held Legally Responsible is a post from: Scam Types dot Com Check out The Best Internet Security Programs Of 2009
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If Hackers Attack Your Business Then You Can Be Held Legally Responsible
I Can’t Say This Enough: When Sued By a Debt Collector You Need to Respond and Show Up
December 25th, 2009. Published under Business Scams. No Comments.
According to a Scripps News article ( read it here ) upwards of 70 percent of consumers sued over credit card (or other) debts never show up, either because they don’t think showing up will help any, or they are too embarrassed or never receive notification of the lawsuit. Debt collectors are filing lawsuits and winning judgments against thousands of Americans every year, often without having any concrete evidence to support their claims. That’s because the defendants often don’t appear at the hearing. Not showing up in court results in an automatic win for the collectors, and that, in turn, often gives them the legal right to tap a debtor’s bank account or salary. “I’m behind the eight ball,” said James Flanagan, a Suffolk County, N.Y. judge who oversees 25 debt collection cases a day. In all but one or two of Flanagan’s cases, the defendant does not show up, Flanagan said. “I can’t do anything about it.”
Reader Comments – U.S. News & World Report
November 30th, 2009. Published under Political Scams. No Comments.
Reader Comments U.S. News & World Report With Al Gore looking to be a billionaire (among the millions in research grants) from his companies involved in a Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, …
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Reader Comments – U.S. News & World Report
Using A Virtual Machine To Protect Your Computer
November 22nd, 2009. Published under Fraud, Scams. No Comments.
If you are a person who works with a computer on a daily basis then you will gather a lot of data on your computer that you are going to want to keep secure. The first level of protecting your data is to create back ups that will make sure that your data is available if anything goes wrong. Also, if your operating system supports it, you can create a kind of restore point for your data and installed programs on your computer. This will create an image that will bring your computer to its form on the date of the restore point that you set. Virtual Machine If you do not have time for that or a back up, a great way to protect your data when you are surfing the web or doing other dangerous activities is to use a virtual machine. A virtual machine is a program that you can set up on your computer that will allow you to use another operating system on top of the one that you are already using. It will give you the same rights and abilities that using the host operating system gives you. You can run programs and surf the web, all in an protected environment. There are ways for hackers to get around this security blanket but they are very complicated and not widely distributed. With software like this you can now run a Windows machine and if you feel an operation is not safe for that machine you can open up the VM and run it in Linux. VMWare The most popular virtual machine that is out there right now is called VMWare . This is the leader in the world of Virtual machines as of right now. They give you a very good free version of their software that you can run indefinitely. This is great when you already have a VM Image already set up. If you want to create your own virtual machine then you will have to use the paid version of the software. Alternatives Other companies that are in the same space include Microsoft and several open source versions that are available on Linux and Windows. The Microsoft version is called Virtual PC. They also give away a free version that will allow you to run other operating systems. There are several different variants of virtual machines on Linux. The most popular being Xen and Virtual box (which also runs on Windows). Also if you want to run a VM without a lot of hassle, there is a Linux distribution that is call Wubi. It is sort of a virtual machine but instead of being a program that runs an operating system, it is itself the operating system. You can install this on Windows just like any other program and when you open it up it will be running the Ubuntu distro of Linux. This is also a very reliable way to keep your data secure from any dangerous operations. I have given you several ways that you can keep your computer’s data secure from any unruly virus that might infect your computer. If you have important files and you need to go the extra mile past antivirus then running a virtual machine is a good way to go.
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Using A Virtual Machine To Protect Your Computer
Oil Companies Support Global Warming Alarmists, Not Skeptics – Prison Planet.com
November 3rd, 2009. Published under Political Scams. No Comments.
Prison Planet.com Oil Companies Support Global Warming Alarmists, Not Skeptics Prison Planet.com According to Exxon Mobil chief executive Rex Tillerson, the cap and trade nightmare being primed for passage in the Senate doesn't go far enough – Tillerson …
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Oil Companies Support Global Warming Alarmists, Not Skeptics – Prison Planet.com
Daily Show Hits Democrats For Giving Polluters Free Pass On Cap … – Huffington Post (blog)
October 6th, 2009. Published under Political Scams. No Comments.
Daily Show Hits Democrats For Giving Polluters Free Pass On Cap … Huffington Post (blog) The Daily Show criticized the cap-and-trade bill put forth by the Democrats because it completely appeases the companies who created the problem in the …
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Daily Show Hits Democrats For Giving Polluters Free Pass On Cap … – Huffington Post (blog)
Dish Network Dealers Settle With FTC Over ‘Do Not Call’ Charges
September 24th, 2009. Published under Business Scams, Fraud. No Comments.
I (Allen Harkleroad) don’t have problems with DISH Network dealers calling me, but I get at least one call every freaking day from 703-547-6025, which is DISH network itself. I keep filing Do Not Call complaints and hopefully at some point the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will do something about Dish network for violating the DNC list. I have never done business with Echostar or Dish nor will I ever. From the Federal Trade Commission Two authorized dealers of the satellite television provider Dish Network, formerly known as EchoStar, have agreed to settle charges that they violated the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule by calling consumers whose numbers are on the Do Not Call Registry. At the FTC’s request, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed complaints against the dealers in March of this year, and at the same time charged Dish Network itself with violating the Telemarketing Sales Rule, both on its own and through its authorized dealers (see press release at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/echostar.shtm ). The lawsuit against Dish Network is still in litigation. Under two separate agreed-upon court orders announced today, the Dish Network dealers and their owners are prohibited from calling any phone number on the Do Not Call Registry and from violating any other provision of the Telemarketing Sales Rule. The settlement orders also include monitoring terms to ensure the companies’ compliance. The final court orders are against Vision Quest, LLC, and its principal Brian K. Cavett, and against New Edge Satellite, Inc., and its principal Derek LaVictor. The court orders impose a $690,000 civil penalty against Vision Quest and Cavett, and a $570,000 civil penalty against New Edge Satellite and LaVictor. The penalties have been suspended because of the defendants’ inability to pay. However, the court may order the defendants to pay if it later finds that they misrepresented their financial conditions. In the summer of 2008, on the Commission’s behalf, the DOJ also filed complaints against and settlements with two other Dish Network dealers, Planet Earth Satellite, Inc., and Star Satellite, LLC, as well as their principals, for Telemarketing Sales Rule violations (see press release at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/07/dishtm.shtm ). The Commission votes approving the stipulated final orders announced today were 4-0. Both lawsuits were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The order against Vision Quest and Cavett was signed by the judge and entered by the court on August 10, 2009, and the order against New Edge Satellite and LaVictor was signed by the judge and entered by the court on August 28, 2009. NOTE: Stipulated court orders are for settlement purposes only and do not necessarily constitute an admission by the defendants of a law violation. Stipulated orders have the force of law when signed by the judge. Copies of the stipulated orders are available from the FTC’s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,700 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics .
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Dish Network Dealers Settle With FTC Over ‘Do Not Call’ Charges
Mid state Group Financial of Jonesboro Georgia 770-473-6976 Email Spamming
August 4th, 2009. Published under Business Scams, Scams. No Comments.
This state of Georgia spammer claims to be Mid State
Litigation (Lawsuit) is Not a Permissible Use of a Consumers Credit Reports
August 3rd, 2009. Published under Fraud, Scams. No Comments.
Have you been sued by a third party debt collection law firm? Did they pull your credit report? You may have a case against them for violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Litigation is not permissible use of a consumers credit report as litigation is not a business to consumer transaction and thus violates the FCRA. In the 1990 Commentary on the FCRA, the Federal Trade Commission (”Commission”) stated that “[t]he possibility that a party may be involved in litigation involving a consumer does not provide a permissible purpose for that party to receive a consumer report on such consumer . . . because litigation is not a ‘business transaction’ involving the consumer.” 16 C.F.R.
Many Questionable Debt Collectors, One Man and a Hedge Fund to Rule Them All
July 24th, 2009. Published under Business Scams, Fraud, Scams. No Comments.
It kinds of sounds like the beginning of a J.R.R. Tolkien movie… Apparently in the debt collection business having a lot of money keeps regulators, law makers and industry enforcement out of your hair. Hopefully with the true nature and operation of Accretive Technologies being exposed and publicized perhaps regulators, enforcement and law makers will take swift action. Slowly but surely opaque layers are being peeled away and exposing just who and what are behind the National Arbitration Forum (NAF) and several national debt collection law firms. Namely Mann Bracken LLC / LLP, Wolpoff and Abramson and Eskanos and Adler. All of which are “owned” by Axiant, which is in turned owned by a hedge fund, Accretive Technologies, which in turned it owned/run by one man. His name is J. Michael Cline.