COVID-19 Related Litigation

• Credit Misreporting: Misreporting consumers as late on their bills or loans when they are entitled to a Covid 19-related deferment by credit reporting agencies or banks, credit card companies and lenders. As a result of COVID-19, Congress passed the CARES Act, a law that, among other things amended the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to require that certain lenders allow consumers to defer payments or enter payment plans.
• College/University Overcharging for Online Classes: Overcharging of full tuition and room/board by colleges and universities that only offer (or offered) online or partial on-line instruction;
• Gym/Fitness Centers: Overcharging of dues by gyms or fitness facilities that do not offer in person training or facilities;
• Landlords: Overcharging of full rent by landlords where the tenant is denied full access to premises;
• Insurance Company Denials: Denial of coverage by insurance companies that provide business interruption or other coverage

CARES Act and Credit Misreporting Cases and Complaints

Traina v. Specialized Loan Servicing, Trans Union, Equifax and Experian. Plaintiffs’ mortgage servicer was Specialized Loan Servicing. When the pandemic began, just like so many other homeowners, the plaintiffs were hit with financial stress, and qualified for, and agreed to, a forbearance. Despite the forbearance agreement being in place, Specialized Loan Servicing began reporting to Trans Union, Experian, and Equifax that plaintiffs were late on their mortgage payments. Despite multiple disputes, Specialized Loan Servicing, Trans Union, Experian and Equifax all failed to correct the inaccurate reporting, and Plaintiffs suffered financial damage as a result.