Think Like A Lawyer Thursday
By Think Like A Lawyer Thursday
Providing Consumer Law Eye Openers since September 2016. On Thursdays S.C. consumer atty Susan Ingles gives her angle on state & federal consumer laws. After 22 years in private practice Susan started at S.C. Legal Services in 2004 where her law practice focuses on consumer protection law for low wealth South Carolinians & other special populations.She currently serves as S.C. State Chair for Nat'l Assoc. of Consumer Advocates.Susan has served on the S.C. Bar's Consumer Section Council & served as its Chair in 2017-18. NOT LEGAL ADVICE. PODCAST DOES NOT ESTABLISH ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP.
Think Like A Lawyer ThursdayApr 24, 2021
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13:30
Earth Day 2021 Two Things to Do if You Are Considering Solar Energy
If you want to save the planet and save money by going solar, you need to do two things first. 1) Educate yourself about the types of solar energy available and which one may be right for you. 2) Be aware of typical scams and fraud and how to avoid them. Listen to find out if you’ll truly save money and participate in saving the planet!
Apr 24, 202113:30
It’s April- Don’t be fooled by false threats from debt collectors!
In this episode we discuss the false threats debt collectors often make to SCARE people into making payment on a debt when they don’t have the money- often at the expense of paying for rent, food, utilities and other necessary bills. We review a recent case where a debt collection company was falsely threatening people with lawsuits on past due consumer debt. Yorba Capital Management consented to being banned from the business of debt collection to settle an enforcement case filed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. They also consented to a judgment against themselves for $860,000. Ironic that THEY were the ones that had legal action taken against THEM!
Apr 09, 202107:10
The Ides of March During the Pandemic- and Debt Settlement
To Romans the Ides of March was a time for settling debt. The first new moon of the year at this time was also a time for celebration. While we are celebrating the widespread rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines, many are struggling with debt. In this episode you’ll learn about dealing with your personal financial situation and free access to the book “Surviving Debt” a publication of the National Consumer Law Center.
Mar 18, 202108:32
Yo-yo Car Sales and Financing- Don’t Get Caught in this Trap
Many Car Dealers engage in a practice called yo-yo sales. They send you home thinking you have bought a car only to call you and say you have to bring it back because the financing “didn’t go through”. Learn the warning signs and what you can do to make sure this doesn’t happen to you. Know your rights and how to keep the original deal you made.
Jan 29, 202110:56
Beware of Early Wage Access Services
Susan Ingles discusses early wage access programs that are becoming more common. Learn how they can really be just like payday loans and not worth the risk of getting into what really amounts to just another cycle of debt.
Jan 08, 202110:02
Nationstar Mortgage, LLC dba Mr.Cooper settlement
SC Dept. Of Consumer Affairs and the Consumer Finance Division of SC State Board of Financial Institutions announce settlement of multi year investigation of state and federal laws. Tune in to find out what it means for you if your loan is serviced by “Mr. Cooper”.
Dec 26, 202006:36
FTC cracks down on CBD product sellers
The Federal Trade Commission announced the first 6 companies to fall victim to “Operation CBDeceit” enforcing rules against deceptive health claims by product makers that are unsupported by scientific evidence- here CBD -containing products.
Dec 18, 202004:53
Avoid COVID-19 scams offering vaccines, treatments & supplies or seeking your donation or investment
In this episode we review 7 scams surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and 7 ways to avoid them. Don’t let your fears, desire to help or need for investment returns cause you to let your guard down. Scammers really come out of the woodwork when disaster strikes and they prey on these facets of human nature. Don’t get caught unawares!
Nov 20, 202013:47
What Lenders Say to Get You to Borrow- Top 10
Lenders who lend money at high interest rates use these top ten statements and more to convince you to borrow from them. Take your time to think about what it really costs and whether you will be able to pay it back.
Nov 13, 202010:43
Economic Impact Payment registration deadline extended for non filers
If you aren’t required to file an income tax return due to the amount of your annual income, and you haven’t filed a return for 2019 and don’t plan to, you can still register until Nov. 21, 2020 to receive an Economic Impact Payment
Oct 09, 202004:31
Loss Damage Waiver product results in violation of Consumer Financial Protection Act
Lobel Corporation entered into a consent order with the CFPB last week requiring it to pay $1,345,224 to car loan borrowers and a civil money penalty of $100,000 for unfair practices related to the Loss Damage Waiver agreement it requires borrowers to agree to.
Oct 02, 202008:00
CFPB enters Consent Enforcement Orders with 8 Mortgage Companies that targeted Veterans
This episode reviews a recent sweep by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that resulted in 8 mortgage companies agreeing to enforcement orders. The companies were targeting veterans and military service-members with mailers that contained false and deceptive information. Listen for moee details!
Sep 25, 202008:35
Foreclosure Moratorium Extended to December 31, 2020
Congress has extended the foreclosure moratorium on federally backed mortgage loans contained in the CARES Act to December 31, 2020. This episode explains what that means, how to find out if your mortgage is covered and also how to get a forbearance of the payments during the moratorium.
Sep 18, 202014:17
CDC issues Eviction Moratorium until Dec. 31, 2020
Find out if you qualify and what you need to do NOW to get the benefit of the CDC’s moratorium on evictions if you can’t pay your rent right now.
Sep 03, 202008:35
Beware of scammers impersonating power companies and threatening to cut your power
This episode describes the scam where you get a call from a utility threatening to cut off service if you don’t pay within an hour using store bought debit cards or gift cards. If this happens to you, ask yourself- - does the power company operate this way? The answer is NO! They don’t call and demand payment this way. They send a cutoff notice and, if you don’t pay, they cut off the service. Beware the scammers! Also know that during the pandemic Duke Energy has suspended cutoff for nonpayment.
Aug 21, 202009:37
It’s Shark Week - Avoid these Dirty Dozen scams, ripoffs and abuses
Predatory lenders target people who are already in difficult financial situations. In this episode we list 12 scams, ripoffs and loan abuses that can take a bite out of your financial transactions.
Aug 14, 202006:29
Credit Reporting During The COVI-19 Pandemic
Rules about credit reporting under the CARES Act when a creditor provides you with an accommodation on payment
Aug 07, 202018:44
New Robocall Law To Provide More Protection for Consumers
TRACED The Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act.
Jan 03, 202007:50
Gift Cards are for Gifts, not for payments! Never get duped into paying a scammer with a gift card.
It’s the season of giving and many of us give gift cards. Watch out for the other use of gift cards. Ways that gift cards are used in scams where scammers demand payment by gift cards are examined.
Dec 20, 201909:06
Federal Trade Commission Shuts Down Advocare’s Illegal Pyramid Scheme
On October 2,2019 the FTC announced a 150 million dollar settlement w/Advocare in which the company, its CEO and 2 top promoters are permanently banned from multilevel marketing and “distributors” may get some of their money back.
Oct 18, 201909:04
Know Your Rights in auto warranties- express or implied
This episode reviews your rights when it comes to car warranties. They can be express or implied and even disclaimed by the dealer or manufacturer.
Oct 04, 201908:19
Post Disaster Financial Problems
Learn about the 9 financial issues you may face after a natural disaster and what you can do about them - common themes as compiled by the CFPB from what people called them about after experiencing a natural disaster.
Sep 06, 201911:56
Extreme Debt Collection by the SC Dept. of Revenue
Find out how the SC Dept of Revenue can collect gov't and quasi gov't debts from you using set off of your refund, wage garnishment, liens and levies. We see this most often with medical debt collection for public hospitals.
Aug 22, 201917:35
State law relief from student loan servicer abuses
Recent cases have addressed state law relief on student loan servicer abuses and the issue of federal preemption. These recent cases and a list of reported servicer abuses are discussed in this episode.
Aug 16, 201906:00
HOA Complaint Process in SC
This episode reviews the SC Homeowners Assoc. Act, the requirements of HOAs and it’s provisions for filing a complaint about disputes with the SC Dept. Of Consumer Affairs.
Aug 09, 201910:16
Debt Settlement Co. agrees to 25 million judgment to settle on claims by CFPB for improper practices
Freedom Debt Relief, LLC entered into a stipulated order with the CFPB in litigation related to its alleged improper practices and misleading advertisements and promises. The order enjoins the practices and provides 20 million in restitution to affected consumers and 5 million in fines and penalties. This episode gives you Ingles' Angle on the lawsuit and why you should avoid debt Settlement companies and settle your own debt.
Jul 19, 201910:43
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
Get Ingles’ Angle on the protections afforded our Servicemembers under the SCRA 50 USC 3901-4043
Jul 05, 201909:48
Criminal Justice Debt in the South
A review that provides highlights from A Primer for the Southern Partnership to Reduce Debt from Abby Shafroth at the National Consumer Law Center
Jun 27, 201911:05
FCRA and Consumer Reports Providing Tenant Background Screening
This episode reviews the existence of consumer reporting agencies that perform tenant background screening and how the Fair Credit Reporting Act applies.
Jun 14, 201909:53
Three Day Right To Cancel does not apply when buying a car but here’s when it can be used.
State is South Carolina Law and Federal law on the “Cooling Off Rule”
May 10, 201929:33
50th Episode!! Introducing “Clark” and the new online classrooms from S.C. Legal Services
Thanks to all my loyal listeners for the last 50 episodes! I look forward to the next 50!
Apr 26, 201904:25
Financial Literacy Month and Reentry Week-Thanks for Focus on Reentry CFPB!
Thanks to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau the "Your Money Your Goals Toolkit w/Focus on Reentry" helps justice involved individuals w/finances. www.consumerfinance.gov
National Financial Literacy Month is recognized in the United States in April in an effort to highlight the importance of financial literacy and teach Americans how to establish and maintain healthy financial habits.
Second Chance Month, observed in the United States during April since 2017, is a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction, and unlock second-chance opportunities for people who have paid their debt to society to become contributing citizens.
Hear Joel's story on the YouTube channel of S.C. Legal Services
Apr 18, 201906:51
Fed Increasing Bankruptcy Exemptions April 1st- No Fooling!
What are Bankruptcy exemptions and how do they work? Do the new federal exemptions affect you in S.C.?
Mar 28, 201941:35
Watch out! IRS releases list of Dirty Dozen Tax Scams for 2019
The IRS issues its annual list of 12 tax scams reminding taxpayers to be vigilant to these aggressive and evolving schemes throughout the year
Mar 22, 201909:07
Common Errors on Your Credit Report
How to find and dispute Common Errors on Your Credit Report
Mar 15, 201906:27
New Credit Protection for Servicemembers
Changes to credit reporting on medical debt and credit monitoring.
Feb 22, 201904:10
Sweetheart Swindlers- A Valentine’s Day warning
A discussion of romance scams. According to the FTC, complaints have risen substantially in just the last 3 years with monetary losses quadrupled during that period.
Feb 15, 201907:13
Credit Unions and Cross Collateralization
This episode explains the dragnet clause of Cross Collateralization with credit union loans and accounts. We also provide information about filing consumer complaints involving credit unions.
Feb 01, 201905:55
Before you join a gym in S.C., listen to this!
S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs published a news release on January 9, 2019 entitled New Year New You outlining 5 considerations before you join a gym. InglesAngle reviews these for the audience.
Jan 25, 201905:08
SC Insurance Data Security Act - SC Code 38-99-10 et seq Effective January 1, 2019
Consumers provide a lot of personal information to insurance companies. SC is the first in the U.S. to pass this insurance cyber security legislation modeled after the NAIC Insurance Data Security Model Law
Jan 18, 201903:33
12 Days of Christmas-Consumer Style- 12 Consumer Protection Law websites to answer your questions
This episode provides 12 website addresses where you can find even more consumer information than what was provided in the 12 Days of Christmas series. They include local, state and national organizations.
Jan 06, 201906:06
12 Days of Christmas-Consumer Style-11th Day of Christmas-11 remedies for a bad “as is” car purchase
This episode outlines 3 ways to recover from a used car dealer after buying a car “as is”. It outlines state and federal statutes as well as common law that provide remedies for a used car sale gone wrong.
Jan 05, 201907:42
12 Days of Christmas-Consumer Style- 10th Day- 10 acts of unconscionable conduct by debt collectors
The S.C. Consumer Protection Code allows a lawsuit for damages and injunction for these 10 and other acts considered to be unconscionable debt collection activities in S.C.
Jan 04, 201903:36
12 Days of Christmas-Consumer Style- 9th Day of Christmas-9 Questions to ask about credit insurance
Lenders often suggest including credit insurance with your loan. Since it’s optional, here are 9 questions you should get the answers to before you agree to pay for credit insurance on your loan.
Jan 03, 201904:57
12 Days of Christmas-Consumer style- 8th day of Christmas- 8 bits of info on payday loans in SC
If you’re being tempted to take out a payday loan to pay your bills after spending too much on Christmas, know your rights before you turn that check into cash!
Jan 01, 201907:27
12 Days of Christmas-consumer style- 7th day of Christmas- 7 billing error disputes under the FCBA
The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) is a federal law that provides a settlement process when your billing statement has errors. This episode provides a list of 7 types of billing errors that can be disputed.
Jan 01, 201904:30
12 Days of Christmas-consumer style-6th Day of Christmas-6 things to consider when co-signing a loan
A review of 6 things to consider when co-signing a loan and how it can affect the financial well being of the co-signer.
Dec 31, 201804:45
12 Days of Christmas -Consumer Style- 5th Day of Christmas
5 fast facts about credit repair from the S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs
Dec 31, 201804:36
12 Days of Christmas-Consumer style-4th Day of Christmas -Anatomy of a security freeze-4 points
Ingles Angle gives you the 4 points making up the anatomy of a security freeze, including lifting an thawing!
Dec 28, 201803:22
3rd Day of Christmas - 3 types of telephone scams
This episode of the 12 Days of Christmas describes 3 common telephone scams and how to avoid succumbing to them.
Dec 28, 201808:08