Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

We Fight Tirelessly For You

Long Island FDCPA Attorney

Protection of Consumer Rights Against Creditor Abuse & Collection Letters

Are collection agencies, law firms and other third-party collectors contacting you seeking collection of an alleged debt? Are they harassing you, seeking a debt that is old or seeking to collect more than what is owed? Contact our law firm to explore your rights and options. We help you recover money under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.


Send us your collections letters for FREE review and consultation – no cost! Contact us at (800) 242-3740.


Contact our law firm immediately if you received a:

  • Collection letter
  • Phone call
  • Text message
  • Or any communication from a third-party collector, collection attorney, debt buyer or collection agency

Forward us the collection before you speak or pay. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS and we can protect you. Ask us about the possibility of filing an affirmative lawsuit on your behalf against the healthcare provider and the third-party collection agency at no cost to you.

About the Fair Debt Collection Protection Act

The Fair Debt Collection Protection Act (FDCPA) was enacted by Congress under 15 U.S. Code § 1692 to attempt to eliminate abusive debt collection practices by debt collectors, to ensure that those debt collectors who refrain from using abusive debt collection practices are not competitively disadvantaged, and to promote consistent State action to protect consumers against debt collection abuses.

There is extensive proof that third-party collectors, collection attorneys, debt buyers and collection agencies often use abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices to attempt to gain an unfair advantage and utilize unlawful tactics to collect money from debtors. 

These collection practices contribute to:

  • Bankruptcy
  • Marital instability
  • Job loss
  • And invasion of individual privacy

(15 U.S. Code § 1692 - Congressional findings and declaration of purpose). Under several New York State statutes and under the Fair Debt Collection Protection Act (FDCPA), you have rights. You do not have to be intimidated or harassed any longer. 

Legal Protection Under the FDCPA

Our law firm has successfully represented and defended clients who have been contacted by collection agencies and attorneys. 

Moreover, under both New York State statutes and under the Fair Debt Collection Protection Act (FDCPA), we can explore bringing an affirmative lawsuit in either State or Federal Courts on cases whereby your rights were violated.


Our Long Island FDCPA lawyer has successfully filed affirmative actions against third-party collectors for violating our client’s rights and the law. Click here to see success stories. 


How Can a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Lawyer Help Protect You From Creditor Harassment?

If you’ve been contacted by debt collectors, collection agencies or collection attorneys, our Long Island FDCPA lawyer can help protect you from creditor harassment. We will analyze your situation and explain the legal recourse available to you under both New York State statutes as well as the Fair Debt Collection Protection Act (FDCPA).

Services Provided by an FDCPA Attorney

  • Comprehensive Analysis and Explanation of Legal Rights: An FDCPA attorney will carefully analyze clients' situations, helping them understand their legal rights and available recourse under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
  • Evaluation of Collection Letters and Expert Advice: FDCPA attorneys review collection letters received from third-party collectors, collection attorneys, debt buyers, or collection agencies. They provide expert advice on the best course of action to take in response to these letters.
  • Skillful Negotiation for Fair Settlements: FDCPA attorneys negotiate on behalf of clients with creditors to reach fair and reasonable settlements that align with their financial capabilities.
  • Lawsuit Representation for Rights Violations: When a client's rights or the FDCPA have been violated, FDCPA attorneys are prepared to file lawsuits against the offending creditors. They assert clients' rights under both New York State statutes and the Fair Debt Collection Protection Act.
  • Court Representation for Debt Collection Hearings: FDCPA attorneys represent clients in court hearings related to debt collection matters. They provide effective advocacy to protect clients' interests and ensure a fair legal process.
  • Assistance with Filing Complaints: FDCPA attorneys assist clients in filing complaints against unfair debt collectors who engage in harassing or abusive practices. They help clients assert their rights and seek appropriate recourse.
  • Discovery of State Law Violations: FDCPA attorneys identify potential violations of state laws that can be leveraged to benefit clients during legal proceedings. This strategic approach strengthens clients' cases and increases their chances of a favorable outcome.
  • Strategic Guidance for Efficient Settlement Negotiations: FDCPA attorneys advise clients on strategies to efficiently negotiate settlements with creditors, prioritizing the protection of their legal rights while pursuing favorable resolutions.
  • Legal Solutions to Stop Creditor Harassment: FDCPA attorneys provide guidance on legal remedies to stop creditor harassment. They assist clients in asserting their rights to put an end to abusive or intrusive collection practices.
  • Tailored Strategies for Unique Financial Situations: FDCPA attorneys develop customized strategies specific to each client's unique financial situation. They consider all relevant factors and work towards achieving the most favorable outcomes for their clients.

By seeking the services of an experienced FDCPA attorney, individuals can benefit from their expertise and guidance in navigating the complexities of debt collection laws. These attorneys are dedicated to protecting clients' rights, ensuring fair treatment, and working towards the best possible resolutions in their financial matters.

We will provide aggressive representation to ensure that your rights are not violated and that you do not suffer any harm due to illegal debt collection practices. Moreover, we may be able to explore joining a legal action or filing an affirmative lawsuit on your behalf against the healthcare provider and/or third-party collector.


Call (800) 242-3740 or contact us online for a FREE review of your case! Together with our experienced law firm, you can begin to protect your rights and take the necessary steps to take back control of your finances.


 

Examples of Collection Company Abuse & Violations of the FDCPA

The following acts are prohibited by the FDCPA:

  • Attempting to collect a debt you do not owe
  • Attempting to collect a medical debt for which you had viable health insurance coverage
  • Attempting to collect a debt on a debt in which the statute of limitations has expired
  • Accusing you of committing a crime
  • Sending you a collection letter that has inaccurate or incomplete information
  • Agents making false claims about their identity
  • Making violent threats or using curse words to intimidate you
  • Calling your employer and/or family members, disclosing your debt, and making false statements
  • Calling repeatedly
  • Claiming that you owe a different amount
  • Seeking a debt that you do not owe or that is old
  • Seeking to collect more than what is owed
  • Claiming to work for a different company
  • Threatening to arrest you or repossess your property
  • Threatening you with legal action
  • Collection harassment, i.e. harassing you and using coercive and unfair tactics

 

Take Action Against Abusive Creditors

Whenever you receive a collection letter, send them to our Long Island FDCPA law firm for a free consultation and explore your rights for free.

 If you have been subjected to any of the above behavior from creditors or you believe you suffered unfair treatment in another way, the Law Office of Gregory A. Goodman, P.C. is here to help. We are committed to protecting consumers like yourself from wrongful behavior and may be able to help you pursue legal action against the party in question.


We're here to help you get your life back. Call us at (800) 242-3740 or contact us online to learn how we can help.


 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • If you have just been involved in an automobile accident—no matter how severe you think it is—there are several important things you keep in mind to preserve and protect your rights under the law.

    Here are a few important steps and actions you should follow immediately following your accident:

    • Seek immediate medical attention if injured. Be sure to document everything.
    • Inform any and all healthcare providers of your injuries, complaints, medical history, and pain. Tell your doctors each and every area of pain, no matter how slight the pain is. Properly and honestly documenting your complaints can be the difference between successfully recovering on your case.
    • Take photos of any and all injuries.
    • Take photos of any vehicles involved in an accident.
    • Take photos of your car—documentation is vital.
    • Report to the police if they did not arrive.
    • Get a copy of the police report.
    • Review police report and make corrections with a police officer.
    • Keep a detailed accounting of any expenses you have accrued as a result of your accident, including gas and mileage costs incurred from traveling to and from your doctor’s office for treatment related to injuries sustained from your automobile accident, lost time from work, unpaid bills, co-pays if applicable, etc.
    • Immediately contact and report a claim to your insurance carrier A.S.A.P. (There are strict time requirements and documents you need to send to your insurance carrier. We can fully assist you with this process and handle most of these actions for you when retained)
    • Complete and submit an application for a no-fault insurance claim (NF-2), which will enable you to receive medical treatment for the injuries you sustained in your automobile accident.
    • Get an insurance claim number from your insurance carrier and the defendant’s carrier.
    • Contact us immediately to discuss and preserve your rights. We will offer you a free consultation.

    Along with what you should do, here are some important things not to do:

    • Do not discuss or share any of the details of your accident or injuries with anyone except your attorneys.
    • Do not post any details or photos regarding the details of your accident and injuries to Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media account. This information can be used against you and is often discoverable, which means you may have to share this information with the defendant should you pursue a lawsuit.
    • Do not spare any details to your healthcare provider about the full extent of your injuries. Documenting the full details of your injuries and complaints can increase the chances of your success. Failure to document and failure to disclose honestly the details can result in decreasing your chances of recovery on your claim.
    • Do not enter into an agreement with an insurance carrier without first consulting and retaining an experienced personal injury trial lawyer. Sometimes, when an insurance carrier knows they are liable, they may try to offer the victim money in an effort to save money. Their strategy is to get to you before you seek legal representation and before you know your legal rights.
  • Property owners are expected to keep their premises safe. If you injured yourself in a slip and fall accident, you need to prove that the owner likely knew about the dangerous area, failed to repair it, and failed to warn people about the dangerous condition. Photo evidence is crucial, as well as proof of the owner’s awareness of the defect and their failure to repair it. It also helps to have a Long Island personal injury lawyer on your side who can help you establish a strong case for compensation for your injuries.
  • The goal of no-fault insurance is to make sure all victims of an accident are cared for, regardless of who caused the accident. This means the insurance policy should cover medical costs and hospitalization fees, lost wages, and any funeral expenses incurred.
  • No. Splitting fees with a management company is not a crime. In 2015, an insurance carrier tried to withhold payment of a provider’s medical fees by claiming that their management agency—which collected 6% of their total costs—was not medical staff. This was an attempt to argue that the healthcare provider was committing fraud, but the court ruled against the insurance carrier.
  • Yes. If you want to be reimbursed for medical costs, you are required by law to appear. However, you do not have to appear alone. The Law Office of Gregory A. Goodman, P.C. can represent you during your EUO to help you avoid making any statements that would injure your ability to obtain full and fair compensation.