Maryland Credit and Collection Agency News

FTC Settles with AmeriDebt: Company to Shut Down

AmeriDebt, Inc. will shut down its debt management operation as part of a settlement of Federal Trade Commission charges that it deceived consumers into paying at least $170 million in hidden fees. The FTC charged that the company misrepresented that it was a nonprofit credit counseling organization that would teach consumers how to manage their finances for no up-front fee. The settlement requires AmeriDebt to transfer all current clients’ accounts to a third party and bars the company from participating in any aspect of the credit counseling business in the future. The settlement does not include the other defendants – the FTC’s case against Andris Pukke, DebtWorks, and the relief defendant, Mrs. Pukke, will continue. Continue

Crushing Medical Debt, Collection Agencies Hound Baltimore's Poor, Homeless

BALTIMORE - Baltimore's poor and homeless, who must depend on the city's health care safety net, are burdened by crushing medical debt and hounded by collection agencies, according to a new survey sponsored by the Open Society Institute-Baltimore. Results of the survey will be released at a press conference, July 30, 11 a.m. at the OSI-Baltimore office at 201 N. Charles Street. Continue

Federal Trade Commission, Plaintiff v. Capital City Mortgage Corporation, A Maryland Corporation; Marcia C. Fidis and Caroline Koestner Nash, in their capacities as representatives of the Estate of Thomas K. Nash; and Eric J. Sanne, Defendants; and Thomas K. Nash Family Trust and Alan W. Nash in his capacity as trustee; and Nash Marital Trust Under Will of Thomas K. Nash and Marcia C. Fidis and Caroline Koestner Nash, in their capacities as co-trustees, Relief Defendants, (District of the District of Columbia) Continue

Soon you'll be able to get your credit report for free. A recent amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months, from www.annualcreditreport.com. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, has prepared a brochure, Your Access to Free Credit Reports, explaining your rights and how to order a free annual credit report. Continue