Margaret Reiter

Attorney · UCLA School of Law

Attorney Margaret Reiter was a consumer investigator with the Los Angeles County Consumer Affairs Department for four years and worked for 20 years as a consumer prosecutor with the California Attorney General's Consumer Law Section. She has investigated or prosecuted businesses engaged in consumer fraud, including foreclosure "consultants," mortgage lenders, debt settlement companies, vocational schools, living trust mill/annuity sellers, prepaid phone card companies, and tax refund anticipation loan providers.

Ms. Reiter has drafted consumer protection legislation, advocated for stronger consumer protection before regulatory agencies, trained other prosecutors and investigators, prepared consumer alerts, and spoken to the public on Truth in Lending, telephone slamming and cramming, truth in phone billing, bankruptcy, and vocational schools, among other consumer topics.


Articles By Margaret Reiter

Checklist: Things to Look for in Your Credit Report
At least once per year, you should get your credit report from each of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies and check each report for errors or for outdated or incomplete information.
The Nationwide Credit Reporting Agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
Learn about the three nationwide credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion), including how they work and whether you need to pay for your credit reports.
Repossession: When Can a Creditor Take Your Property?
A secured debt is one for which a specific item of property—called a security interest or collateral—guarantees payment of the debt.
Deficiency Balances After Repossession
If your vehicle is repossessed, you might still owe the lender money on the contract, called a "deficiency" or "deficiency balance." Learn how to deal with a deficiency after a car repossession.
Getting Credit Reports From Specialty Consumer Reporting Agencies
Here's how to get your credit report from the "other" credit bureaus.
Adding Positive Information to Your Credit Report
In addition to disputing incorrect or incomplete information and adding explanations for negative information the credit reporting agency will not remove, you may want to ask the credit reportin
Creditor Lawsuits: What to Expect When the Case Is in Court
What happens when a collection agency sues you? Here's how debt collection lawsuits work.
If the Credit Reporting Agency Does Not Correct Your Report: What to Do
If you dispute an item in your credit report, but the credit reporting agency refuses to correct it, you can take additional steps to remedy the problem.
Using Exemptions to Protect Property From Judgment Creditors
If a creditor has obtained a judgment against you and seeks to enforce it by taking your cash, or by seizing and selling other property, you most likely can keep at least some of that property by
Disadvantages of Pawn Shop Loans
Because pawn shops charge high rates and fees, they're not a good way to get money.