The Benefits of Using a Debt Attorney to Get out of Debt

My credit history. Who has it? Who can get it? Do I have legal rights to protect its confidentiality? How can I get out of debt?

Philadelphia debt attorney Cary Flitter says that even with today's technology, which can make it easy for some to obtain your credit history and other personal secrets, you do have legal rights that can be used to prevent invasion of your privacy.

"The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) prohibits use of your credit information if you have not given permission to use it. It also prohibits use of this information for other -- sometimes more sinister -- purposes," says Flitter.

"There are several credit reporting services that do a legitimate job of reporting your credit information. However, there are ways people obtain this and other information under very false pretenses. It can be very damaging.

"If you suspect someone has obtained confidential information about you without your permission and for reasons not related to granting you credit or employment, you can fight back through debt negotiation," he says.

Flitter pointed out that one of his clients who had filed for a worker compensation claim found that his employer's insurance company, as part of the investigation of the claim, ordered a credit report on him and his wife from a large credit bureau.

"We sued both the insurance company and its investigators. We argued that they had no legal right under the FCRA to get this report for this purpose, and further they never received permission. A U.S. District Court Judge in Philadelphia recently agreed with this contention," Flitter explained.

"This law is regularly disregarded," says Flitter, "I've had several private investigations tell me, off the record, that they can and do get credit reports on their subjects as a routine matter of course. They are easy to get and rarely does anyone try to prevent them from obtaining the reports.

"And quite frankly, the private investigators are just the tip of the iceberg. Additionally, all sorts of scam artists get their hands on innocent people's records every day," he says.

"Criminals can use credit reports for a myriad of reasons. They buy goods using other people's credit cards. And, since a credit report is virtually a summary of a person's life, a total theft of identity is possible, allowing someone to use your good name for their benefit," Flitter warned.

Flitter says that if you suspect someone has obtained your credit reports without your permission, immediately contact the Credit Practices Division of the Federal Trade Commission in Washington (202/724-1145) or seek legal advice from a competent debt attorney with experience in consumer credit issues who can get you debt settlement.

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The Benefits of Using a Debt Attorney to Get out of Debt