Operating out of Cleveland, Weltman, Weinberg & Reis, a debt collection law firm, has racked up a ton of online consumer complaints over the years. Because they operate as debt collectors, it isn’t surprising that Ohio consumers are never happy to deal with this debt collection law firm. However, a recent lawsuit filed against Weltman, Weinberg & Reis by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) may validate some of these complaints. Allegedly, this law firm has been engaged in illegal debt collection practices for a long time, and they have refused to agree to settle.
How Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Has Allegedly Harassed Ohio Consumers with Debt Collections Practices that Violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Have you received a demand to pay a debt from Weltman, Weinberg & Reis? Their letters look very professional – and intimidating. Typed out on the law firm’s letterhead, many of these demand letters have threatened Ohio consumers with possible “legal action” if they fail to pay what they owe. This makes it seem like a lawyer has been involved in reviewing a consumer’s account. Yet, this has allegedly not been the case. An investigation performed by the CFPB strongly suggests that lawyers seldom confirm consumer debt before beginning aggressive debt collection attempts. This is in spite of the fact that the law firm employs 65 attorneys.
Overall, 650 people are employed by Weltman, Weinberg & Reis. Many of these individuals work on a “pre-law team” that is often tasked with reviewing files belonging to Ohio consumers. Because these employees are NOT lawyers, it is possible that there are issues with the cases they pursue. For example, some of the people they call and send letters to may not actually owe money. Their pre-law team may sometimes go after expired debt.
Regarding the lawsuit that has been filed against the debt collection firm, CFPB Director, Richard Cordray has stated:
“Debt collectors who misrepresent that a lawyer was involved in reviewing a consumer’s account are implying a level of authority and professional judgment that is just not true.”
The real danger here is that the “authority” and “professional judgment” suggested by Weltman, Weingberg & Reis demand letters might lead Ohio consumers to doubt their rights. Ordinarily, if a person receives a letter from a debt collector about a questionable account, there’s a good chance that they’ll attempt to verify the debt. However, if it seems like the legal ball is already in play, they might assume that it’s already too late. Consumers who are within their rights to pay nothing could end up shelling out hundreds or thousands of dollars. It is for this reason that the CFPB has intervened here.
How the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Protects Ohio Consumers against Illegal Debt Collection Practices
If you’ve been contacted by Weltman, Weinberg & Reis or any other debt collection agency about a debt that you don’t owe, you can make them stop. Or, if any debt collector has called you at all hours of the night, harassed your family members, or used threatening language, you don’t have to put up with it. The FDCPA is a federal statute that guarantees your rights against debt collectors that step out of line. Ohio consumers can get legal help from a Free Credit Repair Lawyer.
Don’t let debt collections and errors on your credit reports bring your credit score down. At Credit Repair Lawyers of America, we’ve been cleaning up credit reports for consumers since 2008 for free.
Let’s start the conversation about what we can do for your credit. Set up your free consultation today by calling Attorney Gary Nitzkin at (888)293-2882 or emailing him at [email protected].
