Houston Consumer Law

Zombie Debts Refuse To Die

noemail@houstonconsumerlaw.com — Sun, 25 May 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Click the link above to read the full Article on www.chron.com.

Payday Loans

noemail@houstonconsumerlaw.com — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:00:00 GMT

http://www.texasbar.com/Template.cfm?Section=Current_Issue&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=20472

Collection Firms Taking More Debtors to Small Claims Court

noemail@houstonconsumerlaw.com — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:00:00 GMT

Please click the link to view clip from KHOU Channel 11 News and read the article.

Harassment of Debtors: When to Sue

noemail@houstonconsumerlaw.com — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:00:00 GMT

HARASSMENT OF DEBTORS: WHEN TO SUE (presentation to Poverty Law Section of the State Bar of Texas on 2/1/08) Richard Tomlinson Law Office of Richard Tomlinson 3100 Timmons Lane, Suite 100 Houston, Texas 77027 Phone: 713-627-2100 Fax: 713-627-2101 E-mail: rtomlinson@HoustonConsumerLaw.com A. Introduction In practicing consumer law over the past 28+ years, I have come to the conclusion that case selection is probably one of the most important features of any successful law practice. That conclusion also holds true for those who practice in legal services, as I once did in East Texas and Houston. As a legal services practitioner, you should want to utilize the limited resources available, your time, on those cases with the best chance of leading to a successful outcome. Here are a few general rules that I follow. 1. Avoid trying to make new law. Don’t forget that you practice in Texas. Given the current conservative climate prevalent in Texas courts, state and...

Interview with Richard Tomlinson in Houston Chronicle on payday loan regulation.

noemail@houstonconsumerlaw.com — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 17:00:00 GMT

Richard Tomlinson discusses short-term payday loans and potential regulation of the payday industry.

See link to Houston Chronicle article below-

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/4692175.html

Ask Amy: Collectors Want Money For Debt Not Owed

noemail@houstonconsumerlaw.com — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 04:00:00 GMT

http://www.click2houston.com/investigates/10316957/detail.html

"HOUSTON -- Demanding letters and frequent phone calls -- you know the feeling if you've ever owed a debt. But one man says he doesn't owe a dime, and he's asking Amy what to do about a letter asking him to pay up. KPRC Local 2 investigative reporter Amy Davis has the answer."

Law Office of Richard Tomlinson Files Class Action Lawsuit Against Finance Company Alleging Violations of Consumer Protection Laws

noemail@houstonconsumerlaw.com — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 06:00:00 GMT

As many as 2,500 threatening letters that crossed the line were sent to Texans Houston, March 21, 2006 - Houston consumer protection attorney Richard Tomlinson has filed suit against Drive Financial Services, L.P. alleging numerous violations of federal and state consumer protection laws while attempting to collect debts. According the lawsuit, filed on behalf of Houston resident Velincia Plummer and others (Case 4:06-cv-00068), Drive made it a practice to send people who fell behind in their payments a letter that violated the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Texas Debt Collection Act. Among other alleged violations, the letter threatens wage garnishment and pretends to be from an attorney or law firm, when in fact it was sent by Drive. Both are violations of consumer protection laws. Federal and state consumer protection laws make it clear that lenders cant use overly aggressive and threatening tactics in an effort to collect a debt, said Tomlinson. This lawsuit...

Law Office of Richard Tomlinson Successfully Defends Consumer Against Violation of Federal and State Consumer Protection Laws

noemail@houstonconsumerlaw.com — Sat, 02 Apr 2005 14:00:00 GMT

HOUSTON, APRIL, 2, 2005 – Ruling that debt collectors cant arbitrarily choose where they file lawsuits to collect upon a consumer debt, a federal magistrate judge has entered a partial summary judgment in favor of Carla Hester in her suit against Graham, Bright & Smith and R. Spencer. Hester was represented by Houston Consumer Law Attorney Richard Tomlinson. The case involved an earlier lawsuit filed against Hester that sought payment of a consumer debt. She had entered into a retail installment contract with Aqua Finance to fund the installation of siding on her home. When Hester did not pay the debt, Graham, Bright & Smith and R. Spencer filed suit against her in Dallas County, Texas, despite the fact that Hester resides in Smith County, Texas. Federal Magistrate Judge Judith Guthrie ruled that defendants Graham, Bright & Smith and R. Spencer Shytles violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act by filing suit against Hester in an inappropriate venue. The suit was not...