Debt Collector 101...

We recently received a complaint about an out of state debt collection agency harassing an Oklahoma family for money they don't owe. Sure debt collectors have a job to do, but that doesn't mean they have the right to harass, oppress, deceive or abuse you. Federal law also prevents them from scaring you with a lawsuit. Here's the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act in its entirety. If you believe a collection agency is overstepping its boundary...you have the right to report them to the Federal Trade Commission. Here's some tips I came across while browsing the FTC's website.

Now...if you do in fact owe on a debt...here's some things to keep in mind when dealing with a debt collector (courtesy: getprequalified.com)
*Don’t talk on the phone to a collection agency. If you get on the phone with them they will try
to intimidate you so they can collect more. Remember, they collect more, they make more.
*Send a Validation Letter to Collector to confirm debt
*Get everything in writing first before you open your checkbook.
*Keep good records; don’t expect the collector to remember what you had agreed on.
*Send all correspondence by registered mail.6. Keep copies of everything
*If you do call the collector, keep a log of whom and when you called.
*Follow up a call with a letter.
*Penalties and interest are typically made up amounts of many added on by the collection
agency to increase profits.
*Time is on your side. The longer you can keep them off your backs, the better settlements
you can work out.
*Don't be eager to settle. Take your time. If you are trying to buy a home and you need to have
the delinquent account off your credit report, make sure they know about this. Ask them to
remove the account from your credit report if you pay them in a lump sum.
I'm Scott Hines...In Your Corner!

Life or Death Situation...

For months know we've been investigating the owner of a Colorado service dog company. Tina Rivero runs Noelle's Dogs Four Hope...it's alleged, her company sold seizure and peanut alert dogs to families across the U.S. without proper training. We were turned onto the story after an the Matlack family contacted us to complain about Rivero. The Oklahoma family received a service dog 'in training' from Rivero...but now worry the dog may never receive the training that was supposed to come with the dog. Mama Matlack (Becky) is worried sick. Her 3 1/2 year-old is serverly allergic to peanuts...the tiny girl (Jenny) is in desperate need of a peanut sniffing dog that can alert and protect her from peanuts...it's a life or death situation. So far...our investigation has turned up complaints in Colorado, California, and Nevada. The family from Nevada even sent its peanut sniffing service dog back to Rivero after it ate peanuts...putting their allergic child at risk. To this point...Rivero has stayed mum on the matter... refusing to comment specifically on any of the complaints. She told a reporter with our sister station in Denver that she's wrongly accused and ALL of her service dogs are properly trained...with the exception of those dogs that are still in training...like the Matlack's dog. Trust me...this story is far from over.

As it stands now...there's no one policing those who adopt, train, and sell service dogs. There are however non profits and other groups, like Assistance Dogs International, that specialize in training and placing assistance dogs.

Here's some things to keep in mind when searching for a service dog:
*What's the health of the dog? eyes checked...blood count...liver functioning correctly...bad hips?
*What are the trainer's credentials? What experience do they have training the dog?
*Track records of service dogs placed with families? Check with legit satisfied customers...
*Is there a support system in place for families?
*And read the contract carefully...that's a biggie!

Oh...and I also found this facebook page...where people for and against Rivero have been sounding off...

Now...I called Tina Rivero...but instead received messages from a lady named Tonia (I think she works for Rivero and her daugther has one of Rivero's dogs)...Not sure why Tina couldn't call me back herself...but oh well. Here's Tonia's (unedited) response to the Matlack family...
What I want to say : This is in relpy to a message from Noelle's Dogs Four Hope that Scott contacted them about a story with Becky Matlack involving the puppy-in- training, Penny.
Scott has contacted Noelle's Dogs Four Hope reporting to them that Becky Matlack is claiming she were promised things that she has not received from Noelle's Dog's Four Hope.
I would like you to note below is a list of the things that we are willing to provide to Scott and KFOR plus any other news station that request such information.
1. Penny, the puppy-in-training, is the property of Noelle's Dogs Four Hope along with proper documentation.
2. A statement declaring that the puppy-in-training should be surrendered immediatly.
3. A copy of Becky's payment records to Noelle's Dogs Four Hope and statement clarifying the amount overdue.
4. A copy of the contract between Becky and Noelle's Dogs Four Hope.
5. A statement of Becky's neglect of turning in your training logs for Penny along with supporting e mails.
6. A copy of all 50 plus e mails to and from Becky, since May of 2010.

Here's the thing...it's not just the Matlacks complaining about Rivero...we have like a dozen or so complaints...coincidence??

I'm Scott Hines...In Your Corner!