Credit Repair Organizations Act: Fight Scams, Do Right in Your FCRA Practice, Understand Recent Developments

In a post-Covid era, more consumers are falling prey to scams promising improved credit. Billions of dollars are lost annually by consumers trying to achieve a higher credit rating. The Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA) governs the conduct of those (including lawyers) that provide certain services— including mere promises of such services. With its fee-shifting provisions, CROA can successfully be used by consumer advocates to pursue fraudulent claims. Please note that the webinar is one-hour and that there will be an optional, one-hour, online discussion session following the webinar.

What You Will Learn

• • How to spot services that fall within CROA, as well as the restrictions CROA places on companies
  • How to analyze a defendant for financial viability for purposes of bringing a suit
  • How to avoid running afoul of CROA as a consumer advocate
  • How to avoid having credit bureaus reject disputes
  • How to deal with arbitration provisions
  • What to do about the authority split regarding non-CRO’s liability under the CROA
  • How to make sense of recent CROA developments

Speakers

Heidi N. Miller is a solo practitioner in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  She is licensed in both California and Wisconsin.  For over ten years, she has focused on consumer law, specifically representing consumers in claims involving improper debt collection actions, unlawful repossessions, credit reporting errors, and auto sales fraud.  In 2015, she was second chair in a federal jury trial under CROA, receiving a 37 multiplier on punitive damages.  She enjoys traveling and has visited all seven continents and 99 countries.

John H. Goolsby has litigated FCRA cases for more than twenty years and established the Goolsby Law Office, LLC, in 2006. His FCRA practice is focused on individual inaccuracy cases. His practice is relatively small volume, emphasizing quality case selection and individual attention to each case. Successes include obtaining a six-figure judgment against Freddie Mac in a case that focused on whether government-sponsored enterprises such as Freddie and Fannie can be held liable as consumer reporting agencies under the FCRA. Other practice areas include mortgage servicing, FDCPA, ECOA, banking law, scams targeting seniors, and moving company scams. John works and lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Please note that live webinars are free to all NACA members. After the webinar has aired, registrants will need to purchase the webinar if they want to view it. Non-members who purchased the webinar and higher level/firm members will have access to the webinar after it has aired.