Are You Being Harassed By Abusive Debt Collectors?
Do not pay attorney’s fees. We work debt collector harassment cases on contingency, meaning we do not get paid unless you get paid.
Get Money from Debt Collectors
Not only will we stop the calls, we may also be able to get you compensation. The Goldson Law Office is here to help you turn the tables on those abusive debt collectors who violate your rights.
At The Goldson Law Office, we go after Debt Collectors using the FDCPA, or Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. This federal law makes it illegal for debt collectors to harass you, and it allows you to sue debt collectors for money.
Maryland residents get an EXTRA level of protection using Maryland commercial law (MCDCA). Maryland law provides relief for people who are harassed by original creditors (like banks, utility companies, or mortgage servicers), not just debt collectors. The MCDCA does, however, require an element of intent that the FDCPA does not require.
Read below and evaluate whether or not you think you have a case. If you think you may have a case, give us a call at 240-780-8829 or fill out the client intake form at the bottom of this page.
How Do I Know Whether Or Not I Have A Case?
You have a case if your debt is personal debt and you have been harassed by a debt collector (or original creditor in Maryland and some other states). Business and commercial debts do not qualify for you to recover under the FDCPA.
All it takes is one violation, or one act of harassment, and you have a winning case. When you are being harassed, take notes. Note the time, phone number, and any other details that you think may be relevant. You want to preserve as much evidence as possible. Do not wait to contact The Goldson Law Office, the statute of limitations for an FDCPA violation is only 365 days (1 year).
Who Qualifies As A Debt Collector?
A debt collector is any person (or business), other than the creditor, who regularly collects debts owed to others – this includes attorneys and law firms. In many cases, banks and mortgage servicing companies who buy your debt from your original creditor will qualify as a debt collector.
In Maryland, and many other states, a business does not have to be a debt collector to violate Maryland’s Fair Debt Collection Act and Maryland Unfair or Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
What If The Bank Or Creditor Calls Me Directly? Do I Still Have A Case?
The bank or credit card company is not a debt collector, so these laws do not apply to them. There is an exception for banks, creditors, and loan servicing companies that buy your debt from your original creditor. If these companies normally buy debt and attempt to collect on them, they may be deemed debt collectors, even though they are also banks (or other businesses).
What Constitutes Harassment?
- Calls at unusual times (before 8:00 am or after 9:00 pm)
- Multiple calls in the same day (normally more than two will qualify)
- Contact at your place of employment
- Mentioning your debt to anyone other than you
- Further calls or mail AFTER you have notified the debt collector that you refuse to pay the debt, are contesting the debt, or are requesting that the debt collector cease further communication
- False or misleading representations, including implications that the debt collector is affiliated with state or federal government
- Lies generally
- Impersonating an attorney
- Threats to take any action that cannot be pursued legally
- Use of profanity
- Publishing your debt to anyone but you or a credit reporting agency
- Any threat to slander or harm your reputation
- Any threats of violence
- Any threats involving jail time
- Misrepresenting the nature or amount of any debt
- Statements indicating that failure to pay the debt is a crime
- Many other harassing and abusive debt collection techniques…
How Much Can I Recover From A Settlement or Lawsuit?
If you have a legitimate claim against a debt collector, you will receive actual damages, statutory damages of no more than $1,000, and attorney’s fees.
- Actual damages include compensation for loss of wages, emotional distress, harm to your credit report, and other value that the abusive debt collectors have cost you.
- Statutory damages is a legal term for money you will receive just because the debt collector violated your rights. You will receive statutory damages in any successful case. Statutory damages for FDCPA violations cannot be more than $1,000 (normally $1,000 is awarded).
- Attorney’s fees are awarded whenever you win. This means that you will not have to pay The Goldson Law Office up front for the normal debt collector harassment case.
