Nevada Mortgage and Deficiency Laws
In this session, we are going to discuss in somewhat greater details the Nevada Mortgage Laws of Deficiency and how to handle the looming foreclosure crisis in which our beloved state of Nevada is in the highest ranks in USA.
NRS 40.430 Action for recovery of debt secured by mortgage or other lien; “action” defined.
Nevada has only One Action Law for the recovery of any debt, or for the enforcement of any right secured by a mortgage or other lien upon real estate. That action must be in accordance with the provisions of NRS 40.430 to 40.459, inclusive. In that action, the judgment must be rendered for the amount found due the plaintiff, and the court, by its decree or judgment, may direct a sale of the encumbered property, or such part thereof as is necessary, and apply the proceeds of the sale as provided in NRS 40.462.
What is One Action Rule of Nevada?
This section must be construed to permit a secured creditor to realize upon the collateral for a debt or other obligation agreed upon by the debtor and creditor when the debt or other obligation was incurred. A sale directed by the court pursuant to subsection 1 must be conducted in the same manner as the sale of real property upon execution, by the sheriff of the county in which the encumbered land is situated, and if the encumbered land is situated in two or more counties, the court shall direct the sheriff of one of the counties to conduct the sale with like proceedings and effect as if the whole of the encumbered land were situated in that county.
What this One Action Rule Does Not Include?
(a) To appoint a receiver for, or obtain possession of, any real or personal collateral for the debt or as provided in NRS 32.015.
(b) To enforce a security interest in, or the assignment of, any rents, issues, profits or other income of any real or personal property.
(c) To enforce a mortgage or other lien upon any real or personal collateral located outside of the State which does not, except as required under the laws of that jurisdiction, result in a personal judgment against the debtor.
(d) For the recovery of damages arising from the commission of a tort, including a recovery under NRS 40.750, or the recovery of any declaratory or equitable relief.
(e) For the exercise of a power of sale pursuant to NRS 107.080.
(f) For the exercise of any right or remedy authorized by chapter 104 of NRS or by the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted in any other state.
(g) For the exercise of any right to set off, or to enforce a pledge in, a deposit account pursuant to a written agreement or pledge.
(h) To draw under a letter of credit.
(i) To enforce an agreement with a surety or guarantor if enforcement of the mortgage or other lien has been automatically stayed pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 362 or pursuant to an order of a federal bankruptcy court under any other provision of the United States Bankruptcy Code for not less than 120 days following the mailing of notice to the surety or guarantor pursuant to subsection 1 of NRS 107.095.
(j) To collect any debt, or enforce any right, secured by a mortgage or other lien on real property if the property has been sold to a person other than the creditor to satisfy, in whole or in part, a debt or other right secured by a senior mortgage or other senior lien on the property.
(k) Relating to any proceeding in bankruptcy, including the filing of a proof of claim, seeking relief from an automatic stay and any other action to determine the amount or validity of a debt.
(l) For filing a claim pursuant to chapter 147 of NRS or to enforce such a claim which has been disallowed.
(m) Which does not include the collection of the debt or realization of the collateral securing the debt.
(n) Pursuant to NRS 40.507 or 40.508.
(o) Which is exempted from the provisions of this section by specific statute.
(p) To recover costs of suit, costs and expenses of sale, attorneys’ fees and other incidental relief in connection with any action authorized by this subsection.
How Mortgage is Defined Under Nevada Laws?
NRS 40.433 “Mortgage or other lien” defined. A “mortgage or other lien” includes a deed of trust, but does not include a lien which arises pursuant to chapter 108 of NRS, pursuant to an assessment under chapter 116, 117, 119A or 278A of NRS or pursuant to a judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction.
The Judicial Proceedings Are An Affirmative Defense
1. The commencement of or participation in a judicial proceeding in violation of NRS 40.430 does not forfeit any of the rights of a secured creditor in any real or personal collateral, or impair the ability of the creditor to realize upon any real or personal collateral, if the judicial proceeding is:
(a) Stayed or dismissed before entry of a final judgment; or
(b) Converted into an action which does not violate NRS 40.430.
2. If the provisions of NRS 40.430 are timely interposed as an affirmative defense in such a judicial proceeding, upon the motion of any party to the proceeding the court shall:
(a) Dismiss the proceeding without prejudice; or
(b) Grant a continuance and order the amendment of the pleadings to convert the proceeding into an action which does not violate NRS 40.430.
3. The failure to interpose, before the entry of a final judgment, the provisions of NRS 40.430 as an affirmative defense in such a proceeding waives the defense in that proceeding. Such a failure does not affect the validity of the final judgment, but entry of the final judgment releases and discharges the mortgage or other lien.
4. As used in this section, “final judgment” means a judgment which imposes personal liability on the debtor for the payment of money and which may be appealed under the Nevada Rules of Appellate Procedure.
How Surplus Money is Distributed?
NRS 40.440 Disposition of surplus money. If there is surplus money remaining after payment of the amount due on the mortgage or other lien, with costs, the court may cause the same to be paid to the person entitled to it pursuant to NRS 40.462, and in the meantime may direct it to be deposited in court.
FORECLOSURE SALES AND DEFICIENCY JUDGMENTS
I have been asked about deficiency judgment many times. In Nevada, the time period for filing a deficiency judgment by your lender is only 6 months. However, they can file this deficiency judgment and can enforce it later against you. I have been asked frequently about the laws of deficiency judgment in Nevada. This is a concise summary of all of the laws of deficiency judgment. Please read carefully and seek the help of a licensed attorney before doing anything or filing any action.
What is an Indebteness?
NRS 40.451 “Indebtedness” defined. “indebtedness” means the principal balance of the obligation secured by a mortgage or other lien on real property, together with all interest accrued and unpaid prior to the time of foreclosure sale, all costs and fees of such a sale, all advances made with respect to the property by the beneficiary, and all other amounts secured by the mortgage or other lien on the real property in favor of the person seeking the deficiency judgment. Such amount constituting a lien is limited to the amount of the consideration paid by the lienholder.
NRS 40.453 Waiver of rights in documents relating to sale of real property against public policy and unenforceable; exception. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 40.495:
1. It is hereby declared by the Legislature to be against public policy for any document relating to the sale of real property to contain any provision whereby a mortgagor or the grantor of a deed of trust or a guarantor or surety of the indebtedness secured thereby, waives any right secured to him by the laws of this state.
2. A court shall not enforce any such provision.
How Deficiency Judgment is Awarded?
NRS 40.455 Deficiency judgment: Award to judgment creditor or beneficiary of deed of trust.
1. Upon application of the judgment creditor or the beneficiary of the deed of trust within 6 months after the date of the foreclosure sale or the trustee’s sale held pursuant to NRS 107.080, respectively, and after the required hearing, the court shall award a deficiency judgment to the judgment creditor or the beneficiary of the deed of trust if it appears from the sheriff’s return or the recital of consideration in the trustee’s deed that there is a deficiency of the proceeds of the sale and a balance remaining due to the judgment creditor or the beneficiary of the deed of trust, respectively.
2. If the indebtedness is secured by more than one parcel of real property, more than one interest in the real property or more than one mortgage or deed of trust, the 6-month period begins to run after the date of the foreclosure sale or trustee’s sale of the last parcel or other interest in the real property securing the indebtedness, but in no event may the application be filed more than 2 years after the initial foreclosure sale or trustee’s sale.
What is the Procedure for a Hearing of a Deficiency Judgment in Nevada?
NRS 40.457 1. Before awarding a deficiency judgment under NRS 40.455, the court shall hold a hearing and shall take evidence presented by either party concerning the fair market value of the property sold as of the date of foreclosure sale or trustee’s sale. Notice of such hearing shall be served upon all defendants who have appeared in the action and against whom a deficiency judgment is sought, or upon their attorneys of record, at least 15 days before the date set for hearing.
2. Upon application of any party made at least 10 days before the date set for the hearing the court shall, or upon its own motion the court may, appoint an appraiser to appraise the property sold as of the date of foreclosure sale or trustee’s sale. Such appraiser shall file with the clerk his appraisal, which is admissible in evidence. The appraiser shall take an oath that he has truly, honestly and impartially appraised the property to the best of his knowledge and ability. Any appraiser so appointed may be called and examined as a witness by any party or by the court. The court shall fix a reasonable compensation for the appraiser, but his fee shall not exceed similar fees for similar services in the county where the encumbered land is situated.
NRS 40.459 Limitations on amount of money judgment. After the hearing, the court shall award a money judgment against the debtor, guarantor or surety who is personally liable for the debt. The court shall not render judgment for more than:
1. The amount by which the amount of the indebtedness which was secured exceeds the fair market value of the property sold at the time of the sale, with interest from the date of the sale; or
2. The amount which is the difference between the amount for which the property was actually sold and the amount of the indebtedness which was secured, with interest from the date of sale, whichever is the lesser amount.
NRS 40.462 Distribution of proceeds of foreclosure sale.
1. Except as otherwise provided by specific statute, this section governs the distribution of the proceeds of a foreclosure sale. The provisions of NRS 40.455, 40.457 and 40.459 do not affect the right to receive those proceeds, which vests at the time of the foreclosure sale. The purchase of any interest in the property at the foreclosure sale, and the subsequent disposition of the property, does not affect the right of the purchaser to the distribution of proceeds pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection 2 of this section, or to obtain a deficiency judgment pursuant to NRS 40.455, 40.457 and 40.459.
How Proceeds of Foreclosure is Distributed in Nevada?
(a) Payment of the reasonable expenses of taking possession, maintaining, protecting and leasing the property, the costs and fees of the foreclosure sale, including reasonable trustee’s fees, applicable taxes and the cost of title insurance and, to the extent provided in the legally enforceable terms of the mortgage or lien, any advances, reasonable attorney’s fees and other legal expenses incurred by the foreclosing creditor and the person conducting the foreclosure sale.
(b) Satisfaction of the obligation being enforced by the foreclosure sale.
(c) Satisfaction of obligations secured by any junior mortgages or liens on the property, in their order of priority.
(d) Payment of the balance of the proceeds, if any, to the debtor or his successor in interest.
If there are conflicting claims to any portion of the proceeds, the person conducting the foreclosure sale is not required to distribute that portion of the proceeds until the validity of the conflicting claims is determined through interpleader or otherwise to his satisfaction.
3. A person who claims a right to receive the proceeds of a foreclosure sale pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection 2 must, upon the written demand of the person conducting the foreclosure sale, provide:
(a) Proof of the obligation upon which he claims his right to the proceeds; and
(b) Proof of his interest in the mortgage or lien, unless that proof appears in the official records of a county in which the property is located.
Such a demand is effective upon personal delivery or upon mailing by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last known address of the claimant. Failure of a claimant to provide the required proof within 15 days after the effective date of the demand waives his right to receive those proceeds.
4. As used in this section, “foreclosure sale” means the sale of real property to enforce an obligation secured by a mortgage or lien on the property, including the exercise of a trustee’s power of sale pursuant to NRS 107.080.
NRS 40.463 Agreement for assistance in recovering proceeds of foreclosure sale due to debtor or successor in interest; requirements for enforceable agreement; fee must be reasonable.
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a debtor or his successor in interest may enter into an agreement with a third party that provides for the third party to assist in the recovery of any balance of the proceeds of a foreclosure sale due to the debtor or his successor in interest pursuant to paragraph (d) of subsection 2 of NRS 40.462.
2. An agreement pursuant to subsection 1:
(a) Must:
(1) Be in writing;
(2) Be signed by the debtor or his successor in interest; and
(3) Contain an acknowledgment of the signature of the debtor or his successor in interest by a notary public; and
(b) May not be entered into less than 30 days after the date on which the foreclosure sale was conducted.
3. Any agreement entered into pursuant to this section that does not comply with subsection 2 is void and unenforceable.
4. Any fee charged by a third party for services provided pursuant to an agreement entered into pursuant to this section must be reasonable. A fee that exceeds $2,500, excluding attorney’s fees and costs, is presumed to be unreasonable. A court shall not enforce an obligation to pay any unreasonable fee, but may require a debtor to pay a reasonable fee that is less than the amount set forth in the agreement.
5. A third party may apply to the court for permission to charge a fee that exceeds $2,500. Any third party applying to the court pursuant to this subsection has the burden of establishing to the court that the fee is reasonable.
6. This section does not preclude a debtor or his successor in interest from contesting the reasonableness of any fee set forth in an agreement entered into pursuant to this section.
7. As used in this section:
(a) “Creditor” means a person due an obligation being enforced by a foreclosure sale conducted pursuant to NRS 40.451 to 40.463, inclusive.
(b) “Debtor” means a person, or the successor in interest of a person, who owes an obligation being enforced by a foreclosure sale conducted pursuant to NRS 40.451 to 40.463, inclusive.
(c) “Third party” means a person who is neither the debtor nor the creditor of a particular obligation being enforced by a foreclosure sale conducted pursuant to NRS 40.451 to 40.463, inclusive.
RIGHTS OF GUARANTOR, SURETY OR OBLIGOR IN REAL PROPERTY
NRS 40.465 “Indebtedness” defined. As used in NRS 40.475, 40.485 and 40.495, “indebtedness” means the principal balance of the obligation, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, and those costs, fees, advances and other amounts secured by the mortgage or lien upon real property.
NRS 40.475 Remedy against mortgagor or grantor; assignment of creditor’s rights to guarantor, surety or obligor. Upon full satisfaction by a guarantor, surety or other obligor, other than the mortgagor or grantor of a deed of trust, of the indebtedness secured by a mortgage or lien upon real property, the paying guarantor, surety or other obligor is entitled to enforce every remedy which the creditor then has against the mortgagor or grantor of the mortgage or lien upon real property, and is entitled to an assignment from the creditor of all of the rights which the creditor then has by way of security for the performance of the indebtedness.
NRS 40.485 Interest in proceeds of secured indebtedness upon partial satisfaction of indebtedness. Immediately upon partial satisfaction by a guarantor, surety or other obligor, other than the mortgagor or grantor of a deed of trust, of the indebtedness secured by a mortgage or lien upon real property, the paying guarantor, surety or other obligor automatically, by operation of law and without further action, receives an interest in the proceeds of the indebtedness secured by the mortgage or lien to the extent of the partial satisfaction, subject only to the creditor’s prior right to recover the balance of the indebtedness owed by the mortgagor or grantor.
NRS 40.495 Waiver of rights; separate action to enforce obligation; available defenses.
1. The provisions of NRS 40.475 and 40.485 may be waived by the guarantor, surety or other obligor only after default.
2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, a guarantor, surety or other obligor, other than the mortgagor or grantor of a deed of trust, may waive the provisions of NRS 40.430. If a guarantor, surety or other obligor waives the provisions of NRS 40.430, an action for the enforcement of that person’s obligation to pay, satisfy or purchase all or part of an indebtedness or obligation secured by a mortgage or lien upon real property may be maintained separately and independently from:
(a) An action on the debt;
(b) The exercise of any power of sale;
(c) Any action to foreclose or otherwise enforce a mortgage or lien and the indebtedness or obligations secured thereby; and
(d) Any other proceeding against a mortgagor or grantor of a deed of trust.
3. If the obligee maintains an action to foreclose or otherwise enforce a mortgage or lien and the indebtedness or obligations secured thereby, the guarantor, surety or other obligor may assert any legal or equitable defenses provided pursuant to the provisions of NRS 40.451 to 40.463, inclusive.
4. The provisions of NRS 40.430 may not be waived by a guarantor, surety or other obligor if the mortgage or lien:
(a) Secures an indebtedness for which the principal balance of the obligation was never greater than $500,000;
(b) Secures an indebtedness to a seller of real property for which the obligation was originally extended to the seller for any portion of the purchase price;
(c) Is secured by real property which is used primarily for the production of farm products as of the date the mortgage or lien upon the real property is created; or
(d) Is secured by real property upon which:
(1) The owner maintains his principal residence;
(2) There is not more than one residential structure; and
(3) Not more than four families reside.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Nevada Deceptive Trade Practices Laws
Everyday many homeowners are coming to my office, seeking help from the predators who had made them victims in various ways; by promising them to lower their debts; by promising them to restructure their debts; by promising to lower their interest and principal. I have heard innumerable heart broken stories. In this posting, I would highlight some of the laws which are enforceable in Nevada statute books and can be used to catch these criminals. Again, it is advisable to seek a qualified and licensed attorney in addressing your particular issues.
Most of these deceptive trade laws are contained in NRS 598.741
1. “Buyer” means a natural person who is solicited to purchase or who purchases the services of an organization which provides credit services.
2. “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Consumer Affairs.
3. “Division” means the Consumer Affairs Division of the Department of Business and Industry.
4. “Extension of credit” means the right to defer payment of debt or to incur debt and defer its payment, offered or granted primarily for personal, family or household purposes.
5. “Organization”:
(a) Means a person who, with respect to the extension of credit by others, sells, provides or performs, or represents that he can or will sell, provide or perform, any of the following services, in return for the payment of money or other valuable consideration:
(1) Improving a buyer’s credit record, history or rating.
(2) Obtaining an extension of credit for a buyer.
(3) Providing counseling or assistance to a person in establishing or effecting a plan for the payment of his indebtedness, unless that counseling or assistance is provided by and is within the scope of the authorized practice of a debt adjuster licensed pursuant to chapter 676 of NRS.
(4) Providing advice or assistance to a buyer with regard to subparagraph (1) or (2).
(b) Does not include: [As you can see, only licensed attorneys should modify, restructure a loan or do any credit advice] (1) A person organized, chartered or holding a license or authorization certificate to make loans or extensions of credit pursuant to the laws of this state or the United States who is subject to regulation and supervision by an officer or agency of this state or the United States.
(2) A bank, credit union or savings and loan institution whose deposits or accounts are eligible for insurance by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund or a private insurer approved pursuant to NRS 678.755.
(3) A person licensed as a real estate broker by this state where the person is acting within the course and scope of that license, unless the person is rendering those services in the course and scope of employment by or other affiliation with an organization.
(4) A person licensed to practice law in this state where the person renders services within the course and scope of his practice as an attorney at law, unless the person is rendering those services in the course and scope of employment by or other affiliation with an organization.
(5) A broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission where the broker-dealer is acting within the course and scope of such regulation.
(6) A person licensed as a debt adjuster pursuant to chapter 676 of NRS.
(7) A reporting agency.
6. “Reporting agency” means a person who, for fees, dues or on a cooperative nonprofit basis, regularly engages in whole or in part in the business of assembling or evaluating information regarding the credit of or other information regarding consumers to furnish consumer reports to third parties, regardless of the means or facility of commerce used to prepare or furnish the consumer reports. The term does not include:
(a) A person solely for the reason that he conveys a decision regarding whether to guarantee a check in response to a request by a third party;
(b) A person who obtains or creates a consumer report and provides the report or information contained in it to a subsidiary or affiliate; or
(c) A person licensed pursuant to chapter 463 of NRS.
Section NRS 598.746 deals with Prohibited acts: Receiving money before complete performance; receiving money for referral to provider of credit; misleading statements; other fraudulent or deceptive acts. An organization and its agents, employees and representatives who sell or attempt to sell the services of the organization, shall not:
1. Charge or receive any money or other valuable consideration before full and complete performance of the services the organization has agreed to perform for or on behalf of the buyer.
2. Charge or receive any money or other valuable consideration solely for referral of the buyer to a retail seller who will or may extend credit to the buyer, if the credit which is or will be extended to the buyer is upon substantially the same terms as those available to the general public.
3. Make, counsel or advise any buyer to make, any statement which is untrue or misleading and which is known, or which by the exercise of reasonable care should be known, to be untrue or misleading, to a consumer credit reporting agency or to any person who has extended credit to a buyer or to whom a buyer is applying for an extension of credit, with respect to a buyer’s creditworthiness, credit standing or credit capacity.
4. Make or use any untrue or misleading representations in the offer or sale of the services of an organization. For the purposes of this subsection, a “misleading representation” includes a guarantee that:
(a) The organization is able to remove information that is adverse to the buyer’s ability to obtain credit from the buyer’s credit record, history or rating.
(b) The organization is able to obtain an extension of credit for the buyer regardless of the buyer’s existing credit record, history or rating.
5. Engage, directly or indirectly, in any act, practice or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deception upon any person in connection with the offer or sale of the services of an organization.
6. Remove, or assist or advise the buyer to remove from the buyer’s credit record, history or rating, information that is adverse to the buyer’s ability to obtain credit if the information is accurate and not obsolete.
7. Create, or assist or advise the buyer to create a new credit record, history or rating by using a different name, address, social security number, employee identification number or other misleading information.
8. Attempt to transfer or assign the organization’s certificate of registration.
9. Submit a buyer’s dispute to a consumer credit reporting agency without the buyer’s knowledge.
10. Call, or authorize any other person who is not the buyer to call a consumer credit reporting agency and portray himself as the buyer.
NRS 598.752 Organization to register and deposit security before advertising services or conducting business in this State; separate security not required from salesperson, agent or representative of organization; regulations.
1. Before advertising its services or conducting business in this State, an organization must register pursuant to NRS 598.721 and deposit security in the amount of $100,000 with the Division pursuant to NRS 598.726. The security must be conditioned on compliance by the organization with the provisions of NRS 598.746 to 598.772, inclusive, and the terms of its contracts with buyers.
2. If an organization has deposited the required security, a salesperson, agent or representative of the organization who sells its services is not required to deposit his own separate security. For the purposes of this subsection, a person is a salesman, agent or representative of an organization if:
(a) He does business under the same name as the organization; or
(b) The organization and the issuer of the security certify in writing that the security covers the salesperson, agent or representative.
3. The Division shall adopt such regulations as it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
NRS 598.757 Organization to provide buyer certain information in writing.
1. Before the execution of a contract between the buyer and an organization or before the receipt by the organization of any money or other valuable consideration, whichever occurs first, the organization must provide to the buyer, in writing:
(a) A statement:
(1) That the buyer has a right pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §§ 1681g and 1681h to receive disclosure of all information, except medical information, in any file on him maintained by a consumer credit reporting agency;
(2) That 15 U.S.C. § 1681j requires that this disclosure be made free to the buyer if he requests it within 30 days after receipt of notice of a denial of credit;
(3) Of the approximate cost to the buyer of receiving this disclosure when there has not been a denial of credit; and
(4) That the buyer has the right pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1681i to dispute the completeness or accuracy of any item contained in any file on him maintained by any consumer credit reporting agency.
(b) A detailed description of the services to be performed by the organization for the buyer and the total amount the buyer will become obligated to pay for the services.
(c) A statement that the buyer has a right to proceed against the security deposited with the Division by the organization under the circumstances and in the manner set forth in NRS 598.731 and 598.736. The statement provided pursuant to this paragraph must include the name and address of the issuer of the security.
(d) A statement that the buyer may cancel a contract for the services of an organization within 5 days after its execution by written notice mailed or delivered to the organization.
(e) A statement identifying the availability of any nonprofit association which provides services similar to those offered by the organization. The statement provided pursuant to this paragraph must include the association’s telephone number, including the association’s national toll-free telephone number, if any.
2. The written information provided pursuant to subsection 1 must be printed in at least 10-point bold type and must include the following statement or a similar statement approved by the Division:
RIGHTS OF CONSUMERS REGARDING CREDIT FILES
PURSUANT TO STATE AND FEDERAL LAW
You have the right to obtain a copy of your credit file from a consumer credit reporting agency. There is no fee if, within the past 30 days, you have been turned down for credit, employment or insurance because of information in your credit report. The consumer credit reporting agency is obligated to provide someone to help you interpret the information in your credit file.
You have a right to dispute inaccurate information by contacting the consumer credit reporting agency directly. However, neither you nor any credit service organization has the right to have accurate, current and verifiable information removed from your credit report. Generally, under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the consumer credit reporting agency is obligated to remove accurate, negative information from your report only if it is more than 7 years old and bankruptcy information can be reported for 10 years. If you have notified a credit reporting agency that you dispute the accuracy of information in your credit file, the consumer credit reporting agency is obligated to make an investigation and modify or remove inaccurate information. The consumer credit reporting agency may not charge a fee for this service. Any relevant information and copies of all documents you have concerning the disputed information should be given to the consumer credit reporting agency. If the investigation does not resolve the dispute to your satisfaction, you may send a brief statement to the consumer credit reporting agency to keep in your credit file, explaining why you think the information in the credit file is inaccurate. The consumer credit reporting agency is obligated to include your statement or a summary of your statement about disputed information in any report it issues about you.
RIGHTS OF CONSUMERS REGARDING
CANCELLATION OF A CONTRACT
You have a right to give written notice of your intent to cancel a contract with a credit service organization for any reason within 5 working days from the date you signed it. If for any reason you do cancel a contract during this time, you do not owe any money. You have a right to sue a credit service organization if it misleads you.
3. The organization shall retain a copy of the written information it provides pursuant to the requirements of subsections 1 and 2 for not less than 2 years.
NRS 598.762 Requirements of contract for purchase of services; copy of contract must be retained by organization.
1. A contract between a buyer and an organization for the purchase of the services of the organization:
(a) Must be in writing;
(b) Must be signed by the buyer;
(c) Must be dated; and
(d) Must clearly indicate above the signature line that the buyer may cancel the contract within 5 days after its execution by giving written notice to the organization of his intent to cancel the contract. If the notice is mailed, it must be postmarked not later than 5 days after the execution of the contract.
2. A copy of each contract executed by a buyer and an organization must be retained by the organization for not less than 2 years.
NRS 598.767 Organization to maintain registered agent for service of legal process. An organization shall file with the Division the information required pursuant to NRS 77.310 and continuously maintain a registered agent for service of legal process.
NRS 598.772 Waiver of statutory rights prohibited; burden of proof upon person claiming exemption or exception from definition.
1. Any waiver by a buyer of the provisions of NRS 598.746 to 598.777, inclusive, is contrary to public policy and is void and unenforceable. Any attempt by an organization to have a buyer waive rights given by NRS 598.746 to 598.777, inclusive, is unlawful.
2. In any proceeding involving NRS 598.741 to 598.787, inclusive, the burden of proving an exemption or an exception from a definition is upon the person claiming it.
(Added to NRS by 1987, 1520; A 1993, 2277)—(Substituted in revision for NRS 598.286)
NRS 598.777 Buyer’s action for recovery of damages or injunctive relief; attorney’s fees; punitive damages. A buyer injured by a violation of NRS 598.746 to 598.772, inclusive, or by a breach by an organization of a contract subject to those sections, may bring an action for recovery of damages, for injunctive relief or for both recovery of damages and injunctive relief. Judgment for damages must be entered for actual damages, but in no case less than the amount paid by the buyer to the organization, plus reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. If the court deems it proper, the court may award punitive damages.
(Added to NRS by 1987, 1520; A 1993, 2277)—(Substituted in revision for NRS 598.287)
NRS 598.782 Criminal penalty.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a person who violates any provision of NRS 598.746 to 598.772, inclusive, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
2. A person who breaches a contract subject to NRS 598.746 to 598.772, inclusive, is not guilty of a misdemeanor solely because of the breach.
NRS 598.787 Provisions and remedies not exclusive; violation constitutes deceptive trade practice.
1. The provisions of NRS 598.746 to 598.777, inclusive, are not exclusive and do not relieve the parties or the contracts subject thereto from compliance with any other applicable provision of law.
2. The remedies provided in NRS 598.772 and 598.777 for violation of any provision of NRS 598.746 to 598.772, inclusive, are in addition to any other procedures or remedies for any violation or conduct provided for in any other law.
3. Any violation of NRS 598.746 to 598.772, inclusive, constitutes a deceptive trade practice for the purposes of NRS 598.0903 to 598.0999, inclusive.
NRS 598.900 Untrue or misleading statements by organization prohibited; effect on contract. An organization shall not make any untrue or misleading representations to the buyer or in its advertising. A contract for membership in an organization where any untrue or misleading representation was made to the buyer or the buyer was made aware of the untrue or misleading representation is void and unenforceable by the organization.
NRS 598.905 Correction of violations. If an organization does not comply with the provisions of NRS 598.840 to 598.895, inclusive, or 598.905 to 598.930, inclusive, the buyer may agree in writing, after a full disclosure, to any correction of the defect if the correction is made within 30 days after he signs the contract for membership in the organization. If the buyer does not consent, or if the correction is not made within the 30-day period, the contract is rescinded, and the buyer must be given a full refund.
NRS 598.910 Effect of transfer by organization of its obligation to provide goods or services; circumstances under which buyer may rescind contract.
1. If an organization transfers its obligation to provide goods or services to a buyer to another organization which provides substantially fewer goods or services, the buyer may consent to the transfer in writing after a full disclosure to him of the goods and services to be provided by the new organization. If a buyer does not consent, his contract is rescinded, and he must be given a refund pro rata based on the amount of time he was a member of the organization.
2. The buyer may rescind the contract and the organization shall give him a refund pro rata based on the amount of time he was a member of the organization if any of the following circumstances occur:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the organization moves its place of business which is geographically closest to the buyer’s residence, as indicated in the contract, more than 20 miles farther from the buyer’s residence than it was when the contract for membership was signed. The provisions of this paragraph do not apply if:
(1) The organization offers the buyer a substantially equivalent at-home ordering service through at least one other generally available channel of communication, including, without limitation, the Internet;
(2) The at-home ordering service offers the same categories of goods and services provided by the organization at the time the organization moves its place of business; and
(3) Any goods ordered by the buyer through the at-home ordering service are shipped, at the election of the buyer, to either the buyer’s residence, as indicated in the contract, or a freight receiver within 20 miles of that residence.
(b) Within 6 months after the contract for membership was signed, the organization stops providing any category of goods or services represented to the buyer to be available when he signed the contract.
NRS 598.915 Waiver of statutory rights is void. Any waiver by the buyer of the provisions of NRS 598.840 to 598.930, inclusive, is contrary to public policy and void.
NRS 598.920 Actions against organization; restitution, treble damages, attorney’s fees and costs may be awarded.
1. A cause of action or a defense of a buyer against the organization is not extinguished by the transfer, assignment or sale of the contract for membership in the organization to a third party.
2. In an action by a buyer against an organization for violation of the provisions of NRS 598.840 to 598.930, inclusive, the court may award restitution, treble damages, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. If the course of action was based on a violation of NRS 598.900, the court may award the buyer $1,000, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, or restitution, treble damages, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, whichever is greater.
NRS 598.930 Remedies not exclusive; violation constitutes deceptive trade practice.
1. The remedies, duties and prohibitions of NRS 598.840 to 598.930, inclusive, are not exclusive and are in addition to any other remedies provided by law.
Most of these deceptive trade laws are contained in NRS 598.741
1. “Buyer” means a natural person who is solicited to purchase or who purchases the services of an organization which provides credit services.
2. “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Consumer Affairs.
3. “Division” means the Consumer Affairs Division of the Department of Business and Industry.
4. “Extension of credit” means the right to defer payment of debt or to incur debt and defer its payment, offered or granted primarily for personal, family or household purposes.
5. “Organization”:
(a) Means a person who, with respect to the extension of credit by others, sells, provides or performs, or represents that he can or will sell, provide or perform, any of the following services, in return for the payment of money or other valuable consideration:
(1) Improving a buyer’s credit record, history or rating.
(2) Obtaining an extension of credit for a buyer.
(3) Providing counseling or assistance to a person in establishing or effecting a plan for the payment of his indebtedness, unless that counseling or assistance is provided by and is within the scope of the authorized practice of a debt adjuster licensed pursuant to chapter 676 of NRS.
(4) Providing advice or assistance to a buyer with regard to subparagraph (1) or (2).
(b) Does not include: [As you can see, only licensed attorneys should modify, restructure a loan or do any credit advice] (1) A person organized, chartered or holding a license or authorization certificate to make loans or extensions of credit pursuant to the laws of this state or the United States who is subject to regulation and supervision by an officer or agency of this state or the United States.
(2) A bank, credit union or savings and loan institution whose deposits or accounts are eligible for insurance by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund or a private insurer approved pursuant to NRS 678.755.
(3) A person licensed as a real estate broker by this state where the person is acting within the course and scope of that license, unless the person is rendering those services in the course and scope of employment by or other affiliation with an organization.
(4) A person licensed to practice law in this state where the person renders services within the course and scope of his practice as an attorney at law, unless the person is rendering those services in the course and scope of employment by or other affiliation with an organization.
(5) A broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission where the broker-dealer is acting within the course and scope of such regulation.
(6) A person licensed as a debt adjuster pursuant to chapter 676 of NRS.
(7) A reporting agency.
6. “Reporting agency” means a person who, for fees, dues or on a cooperative nonprofit basis, regularly engages in whole or in part in the business of assembling or evaluating information regarding the credit of or other information regarding consumers to furnish consumer reports to third parties, regardless of the means or facility of commerce used to prepare or furnish the consumer reports. The term does not include:
(a) A person solely for the reason that he conveys a decision regarding whether to guarantee a check in response to a request by a third party;
(b) A person who obtains or creates a consumer report and provides the report or information contained in it to a subsidiary or affiliate; or
(c) A person licensed pursuant to chapter 463 of NRS.
Section NRS 598.746 deals with Prohibited acts: Receiving money before complete performance; receiving money for referral to provider of credit; misleading statements; other fraudulent or deceptive acts. An organization and its agents, employees and representatives who sell or attempt to sell the services of the organization, shall not:
1. Charge or receive any money or other valuable consideration before full and complete performance of the services the organization has agreed to perform for or on behalf of the buyer.
2. Charge or receive any money or other valuable consideration solely for referral of the buyer to a retail seller who will or may extend credit to the buyer, if the credit which is or will be extended to the buyer is upon substantially the same terms as those available to the general public.
3. Make, counsel or advise any buyer to make, any statement which is untrue or misleading and which is known, or which by the exercise of reasonable care should be known, to be untrue or misleading, to a consumer credit reporting agency or to any person who has extended credit to a buyer or to whom a buyer is applying for an extension of credit, with respect to a buyer’s creditworthiness, credit standing or credit capacity.
4. Make or use any untrue or misleading representations in the offer or sale of the services of an organization. For the purposes of this subsection, a “misleading representation” includes a guarantee that:
(a) The organization is able to remove information that is adverse to the buyer’s ability to obtain credit from the buyer’s credit record, history or rating.
(b) The organization is able to obtain an extension of credit for the buyer regardless of the buyer’s existing credit record, history or rating.
5. Engage, directly or indirectly, in any act, practice or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deception upon any person in connection with the offer or sale of the services of an organization.
6. Remove, or assist or advise the buyer to remove from the buyer’s credit record, history or rating, information that is adverse to the buyer’s ability to obtain credit if the information is accurate and not obsolete.
7. Create, or assist or advise the buyer to create a new credit record, history or rating by using a different name, address, social security number, employee identification number or other misleading information.
8. Attempt to transfer or assign the organization’s certificate of registration.
9. Submit a buyer’s dispute to a consumer credit reporting agency without the buyer’s knowledge.
10. Call, or authorize any other person who is not the buyer to call a consumer credit reporting agency and portray himself as the buyer.
NRS 598.752 Organization to register and deposit security before advertising services or conducting business in this State; separate security not required from salesperson, agent or representative of organization; regulations.
1. Before advertising its services or conducting business in this State, an organization must register pursuant to NRS 598.721 and deposit security in the amount of $100,000 with the Division pursuant to NRS 598.726. The security must be conditioned on compliance by the organization with the provisions of NRS 598.746 to 598.772, inclusive, and the terms of its contracts with buyers.
2. If an organization has deposited the required security, a salesperson, agent or representative of the organization who sells its services is not required to deposit his own separate security. For the purposes of this subsection, a person is a salesman, agent or representative of an organization if:
(a) He does business under the same name as the organization; or
(b) The organization and the issuer of the security certify in writing that the security covers the salesperson, agent or representative.
3. The Division shall adopt such regulations as it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
NRS 598.757 Organization to provide buyer certain information in writing.
1. Before the execution of a contract between the buyer and an organization or before the receipt by the organization of any money or other valuable consideration, whichever occurs first, the organization must provide to the buyer, in writing:
(a) A statement:
(1) That the buyer has a right pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §§ 1681g and 1681h to receive disclosure of all information, except medical information, in any file on him maintained by a consumer credit reporting agency;
(2) That 15 U.S.C. § 1681j requires that this disclosure be made free to the buyer if he requests it within 30 days after receipt of notice of a denial of credit;
(3) Of the approximate cost to the buyer of receiving this disclosure when there has not been a denial of credit; and
(4) That the buyer has the right pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1681i to dispute the completeness or accuracy of any item contained in any file on him maintained by any consumer credit reporting agency.
(b) A detailed description of the services to be performed by the organization for the buyer and the total amount the buyer will become obligated to pay for the services.
(c) A statement that the buyer has a right to proceed against the security deposited with the Division by the organization under the circumstances and in the manner set forth in NRS 598.731 and 598.736. The statement provided pursuant to this paragraph must include the name and address of the issuer of the security.
(d) A statement that the buyer may cancel a contract for the services of an organization within 5 days after its execution by written notice mailed or delivered to the organization.
(e) A statement identifying the availability of any nonprofit association which provides services similar to those offered by the organization. The statement provided pursuant to this paragraph must include the association’s telephone number, including the association’s national toll-free telephone number, if any.
2. The written information provided pursuant to subsection 1 must be printed in at least 10-point bold type and must include the following statement or a similar statement approved by the Division:
RIGHTS OF CONSUMERS REGARDING CREDIT FILES
PURSUANT TO STATE AND FEDERAL LAW
You have the right to obtain a copy of your credit file from a consumer credit reporting agency. There is no fee if, within the past 30 days, you have been turned down for credit, employment or insurance because of information in your credit report. The consumer credit reporting agency is obligated to provide someone to help you interpret the information in your credit file.
You have a right to dispute inaccurate information by contacting the consumer credit reporting agency directly. However, neither you nor any credit service organization has the right to have accurate, current and verifiable information removed from your credit report. Generally, under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the consumer credit reporting agency is obligated to remove accurate, negative information from your report only if it is more than 7 years old and bankruptcy information can be reported for 10 years. If you have notified a credit reporting agency that you dispute the accuracy of information in your credit file, the consumer credit reporting agency is obligated to make an investigation and modify or remove inaccurate information. The consumer credit reporting agency may not charge a fee for this service. Any relevant information and copies of all documents you have concerning the disputed information should be given to the consumer credit reporting agency. If the investigation does not resolve the dispute to your satisfaction, you may send a brief statement to the consumer credit reporting agency to keep in your credit file, explaining why you think the information in the credit file is inaccurate. The consumer credit reporting agency is obligated to include your statement or a summary of your statement about disputed information in any report it issues about you.
RIGHTS OF CONSUMERS REGARDING
CANCELLATION OF A CONTRACT
You have a right to give written notice of your intent to cancel a contract with a credit service organization for any reason within 5 working days from the date you signed it. If for any reason you do cancel a contract during this time, you do not owe any money. You have a right to sue a credit service organization if it misleads you.
3. The organization shall retain a copy of the written information it provides pursuant to the requirements of subsections 1 and 2 for not less than 2 years.
NRS 598.762 Requirements of contract for purchase of services; copy of contract must be retained by organization.
1. A contract between a buyer and an organization for the purchase of the services of the organization:
(a) Must be in writing;
(b) Must be signed by the buyer;
(c) Must be dated; and
(d) Must clearly indicate above the signature line that the buyer may cancel the contract within 5 days after its execution by giving written notice to the organization of his intent to cancel the contract. If the notice is mailed, it must be postmarked not later than 5 days after the execution of the contract.
2. A copy of each contract executed by a buyer and an organization must be retained by the organization for not less than 2 years.
NRS 598.767 Organization to maintain registered agent for service of legal process. An organization shall file with the Division the information required pursuant to NRS 77.310 and continuously maintain a registered agent for service of legal process.
NRS 598.772 Waiver of statutory rights prohibited; burden of proof upon person claiming exemption or exception from definition.
1. Any waiver by a buyer of the provisions of NRS 598.746 to 598.777, inclusive, is contrary to public policy and is void and unenforceable. Any attempt by an organization to have a buyer waive rights given by NRS 598.746 to 598.777, inclusive, is unlawful.
2. In any proceeding involving NRS 598.741 to 598.787, inclusive, the burden of proving an exemption or an exception from a definition is upon the person claiming it.
(Added to NRS by 1987, 1520; A 1993, 2277)—(Substituted in revision for NRS 598.286)
NRS 598.777 Buyer’s action for recovery of damages or injunctive relief; attorney’s fees; punitive damages. A buyer injured by a violation of NRS 598.746 to 598.772, inclusive, or by a breach by an organization of a contract subject to those sections, may bring an action for recovery of damages, for injunctive relief or for both recovery of damages and injunctive relief. Judgment for damages must be entered for actual damages, but in no case less than the amount paid by the buyer to the organization, plus reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. If the court deems it proper, the court may award punitive damages.
(Added to NRS by 1987, 1520; A 1993, 2277)—(Substituted in revision for NRS 598.287)
NRS 598.782 Criminal penalty.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a person who violates any provision of NRS 598.746 to 598.772, inclusive, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
2. A person who breaches a contract subject to NRS 598.746 to 598.772, inclusive, is not guilty of a misdemeanor solely because of the breach.
NRS 598.787 Provisions and remedies not exclusive; violation constitutes deceptive trade practice.
1. The provisions of NRS 598.746 to 598.777, inclusive, are not exclusive and do not relieve the parties or the contracts subject thereto from compliance with any other applicable provision of law.
2. The remedies provided in NRS 598.772 and 598.777 for violation of any provision of NRS 598.746 to 598.772, inclusive, are in addition to any other procedures or remedies for any violation or conduct provided for in any other law.
3. Any violation of NRS 598.746 to 598.772, inclusive, constitutes a deceptive trade practice for the purposes of NRS 598.0903 to 598.0999, inclusive.
NRS 598.900 Untrue or misleading statements by organization prohibited; effect on contract. An organization shall not make any untrue or misleading representations to the buyer or in its advertising. A contract for membership in an organization where any untrue or misleading representation was made to the buyer or the buyer was made aware of the untrue or misleading representation is void and unenforceable by the organization.
NRS 598.905 Correction of violations. If an organization does not comply with the provisions of NRS 598.840 to 598.895, inclusive, or 598.905 to 598.930, inclusive, the buyer may agree in writing, after a full disclosure, to any correction of the defect if the correction is made within 30 days after he signs the contract for membership in the organization. If the buyer does not consent, or if the correction is not made within the 30-day period, the contract is rescinded, and the buyer must be given a full refund.
NRS 598.910 Effect of transfer by organization of its obligation to provide goods or services; circumstances under which buyer may rescind contract.
1. If an organization transfers its obligation to provide goods or services to a buyer to another organization which provides substantially fewer goods or services, the buyer may consent to the transfer in writing after a full disclosure to him of the goods and services to be provided by the new organization. If a buyer does not consent, his contract is rescinded, and he must be given a refund pro rata based on the amount of time he was a member of the organization.
2. The buyer may rescind the contract and the organization shall give him a refund pro rata based on the amount of time he was a member of the organization if any of the following circumstances occur:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the organization moves its place of business which is geographically closest to the buyer’s residence, as indicated in the contract, more than 20 miles farther from the buyer’s residence than it was when the contract for membership was signed. The provisions of this paragraph do not apply if:
(1) The organization offers the buyer a substantially equivalent at-home ordering service through at least one other generally available channel of communication, including, without limitation, the Internet;
(2) The at-home ordering service offers the same categories of goods and services provided by the organization at the time the organization moves its place of business; and
(3) Any goods ordered by the buyer through the at-home ordering service are shipped, at the election of the buyer, to either the buyer’s residence, as indicated in the contract, or a freight receiver within 20 miles of that residence.
(b) Within 6 months after the contract for membership was signed, the organization stops providing any category of goods or services represented to the buyer to be available when he signed the contract.
NRS 598.915 Waiver of statutory rights is void. Any waiver by the buyer of the provisions of NRS 598.840 to 598.930, inclusive, is contrary to public policy and void.
NRS 598.920 Actions against organization; restitution, treble damages, attorney’s fees and costs may be awarded.
1. A cause of action or a defense of a buyer against the organization is not extinguished by the transfer, assignment or sale of the contract for membership in the organization to a third party.
2. In an action by a buyer against an organization for violation of the provisions of NRS 598.840 to 598.930, inclusive, the court may award restitution, treble damages, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. If the course of action was based on a violation of NRS 598.900, the court may award the buyer $1,000, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, or restitution, treble damages, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, whichever is greater.
NRS 598.930 Remedies not exclusive; violation constitutes deceptive trade practice.
1. The remedies, duties and prohibitions of NRS 598.840 to 598.930, inclusive, are not exclusive and are in addition to any other remedies provided by law.
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