Legal representation in a number of practice areas. e.g., Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Collection Defense, Social Security Disability Claims.
Consumer Rights
Businesses in Washington are prohibited from engaging in unfair and deceptive practices. If you have been harmed as a result of an unfair or deceptive business practice, we are here to help. You may be entitled to receive up to three times the damages you incurred, plus have all of your attorney’s fees and costs paid. Some businesses will go to great lengths to cheat you out of your money or property. The possibilities are endless so tell us what happened and we would be happy to evaluate your case.
Credit Reporting
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) helps to protect your credit report. Forcing companies to accurately report to the credit bureaus, however, can be tricky. We can help you dispute erroneous information on your credit report and force creditors to report accurately. We help with all aspects, from the initial dispute through litigation in the federal court system when creditors refused to comply with their obligations. You can start by pulling a copy of your credit report at no cost here: www.annualcreditreport.com
Debt Collection Defense
If you've been sued by a debt collector, do not wait. You have rights that may expire and a judgment to be entered against you if you do not take action. Even if you think that you owe something, that collectors frequently inflate the amount of the debt and break laws trying to collect from you. Even after you have been served we can often stop the judgment from being entered against you and prevent garnishment of your bank account and wages. Sometimes we are even able to get the debt collectors to drop their case and pay you money. It is worth a phone call to our office to find out what we can do for you.
Fight Back Against Debt Collectors
Federal law prohibits debt collectors from doing (and not doing) many things to try to collect from you. Some of these illegal acts include:
Telling ANYBODY other than you or your spouse details about your collection account(s) without prior authority from you. Even disclosing to another person that they are calling from ABC Collection Agency is illegal. (This includes messages left on your voicemail that are overheard by others) Calling you at work after you have told the debt collector not to contact you at work.
Threatening to take any action against you that they do not take or intend to take. (Examples include falsely threatening to take you to Court and falsely threatening to garnish your wages.)
Trying to collect any amount from you that they are not entitled to collect, including fees and other charges.
Falsely threatening to garnish your wages prior to a lawsuit being filed against you for the debt.
Cursing, yelling or using obscene and / or profane language.
Repeated harassing phone calls including calling multiple times a day to annoy, abuse or harass.
Threatening Arrest or Jail.
Impersonating court employees including judges, clerks, etc.
Impersonating law enforcement officers (Police, Sheriff or federal agents).
Leaving voice messages for you that failed to disclose that the person calling is a debt collector.
Help With Garnishment
If a judgment has been entered against you and debt collector is garnishing her wages and/or bank account, we may be able to help. Washington and federal law provide protection for many of your assets. We can help you determine which of your assets the debt collector cannot take. If the judgment was taken against you improperly, we can often make the garnishment stop and get your money back. Often, we can offer our services at little or no cost to you.
