Credit Reporting Bureaus Are Changing Their Rules - A Win for Consumers
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Thursday, March 30, 2017
With every passing year a person’s credit score becomes more central in basic decisions people face on a daily basis. Leases for housing, ability to obtain automobile or homeowner’s insurance and, yes, even employment are some of the areas that are now affected by your credit score. Your credit score is ultimately determined by what is reported in your credit file
Judge Paul Stribling Conger Jr Caught Trading Sex for Disability Benefits
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Tuesday, March 28, 2017
This past Wednesday former Social Security Administration (SSA) Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Paul Stribling Conger Jr. was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison for trading sex for disability benefits.
CFPB Fines Experian $3 Million for Deceiving Consumers
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Monday, March 27, 2017
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Thursday fined Experian PLC $3 million, alleging that the leading credit-reporting firm misrepresented the credit scores it marketed to consumers, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Twenty Years And Counting!
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Friday, March 24, 2017
Normally, I blog about current events or about how we can help consumers can get real relief from financial pressures under the law. In today’s post, I digress to recognize one of our own. Recently, we celebrated the twenty year anniversary of our friend and trusted employee, Leann Wilkinson. Where has the time gone?
Sears and the Demise of Retail Establishments
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Thursday, March 23, 2017
I tend to be a nostalgic person. I recall stories in my childhood told by my parents and grandparents about going downtown to the big department stores to shop at Christmas. Everyone’s stories always included a visit to the candy counter. I am not old enough to remember any of the downtown establishments they reminisce about except I remember Sears. I remember it because of one thing, the candy counter. The downtown location closed whe
Nation's Top Consumer Complaints of 2016
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Thursday, March 23, 2017
Not too many would be shocked to hear that topping the nation's list of consumer complaints during the year 2016 would be.
And the Winner IS……….
Payday Loan Reform is Good for Alabama
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Wednesday, March 22, 2017
At Bond & Botes, P.C., we work with a variety of people who have fallen on financial hard times and, in some cases, need to file for bankruptcy. Of all the financial problems we encounter, few compare to being caught in the trap of payday lending.
RadioShack Files Bankruptcy for Second Time
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Tuesday, March 21, 2017
The second bankruptcy in two years involving RadioShack has been filed by its parent company, General Wireless Operations. Approximately 1500 stores are at risk of being closed with the latest update stating 552 stores will be closed (two in Alabama are on the closure list and those locations are in Madison and Mobile). The fate of more than 1000 stores is still up in the air.
Winn-Dixie’s New Reward Program Offers Free Groceries
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Monday, March 20, 2017
Want free groceries? If so, on April 5th Winn Dixie is replacing its Fuel Perks program with Winn-Dixie Reward + Plenti. Customers will be able to earn points buying groceries at Winn-Dixie or spending money at any Plenti reward partner. You can earn points by:
Military Service Members – Don’t Do Stupid Stuff!
Submitted by the Bond & Botes Law Offices - Friday, March 17, 2017
In the private, civilian non-government related world, doing stupid thing can have consequences but, when someone is in the military and/or has a security clearance, the consequences of bad judgment and behavior can be exponential. I am prompted to write this blog post based upon the disturbing news repor