New York Credit Card Debt Attorney
Credit Card Debt and Collections Defense in New York City
This Langel Firm aims to challenge every piece of evidence used against you in a credit-card lawsuit. Important legal defenses must be raised whether you're being sued for $500 or $500,000.00. Regardless of the validity of the underlying debt, you are entitled to a zealous defense.
Get your free consultation with a New York debt defense attorney who practices exclusively in debt collection defense, collection abuse, and credit reporting violations involving any type of debt.
Credit Card Debt Lawyer in New York
Positioned ideally in lower Manhattan, the firm enjoys quick access to all courts in New York City. Our location is ideal to quickly file emergency papers to stop garnishments and bank restraints. We are familiar with local court practices and rules. We are familiar with the practices of local debt collectors and the collection lawyers who represent them. We believe that our reputation for advocating for clients in this area contributes to our positive outcomes.
New York City is a very active debt-litigation city with over 100,000 lawsuits brought against consumers each year. A very low percentage of those consumers are represented by an attorney. New York consumers need help with crushing default judgments and unfavorable settlements. The Langel Firm would be honored to fight your credit-card case!
Contact a New York credit card debt attorney to protect you against any credit card lawsuit.
10 Things Consumers Should Know About Defending a Credit-Card Lawsuit
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Act Quickly: If you are served with a lawsuit, it's important to respond within the stipulated time (usually 20 to 30 days, depending on your state). Failing to respond may result in a default judgment against you.
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Consider Legal Representation: It is advisable to get legal counsel experienced in consumer debt to defend your case. They can evaluate the case, help you understand your rights, and formulate a suitable defense strategy.
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Demand Verification: You can demand the credit-card company or debt collector to verify the debt, which includes providing detailed information about the debt and proof that they are the current owners of the debt.
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Understand Statute of Limitations: If the debt is old, it may be past the statute of limitations, which varies by state and type of debt. If this is the case, the debt is legally uncollectable.
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Raise a Defense: If you believe the amount claimed is incorrect or the debt isn’t yours, these could be possible defenses. A lawyer can help determine what defenses may apply to your case.
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Attend Court Hearings: If your case goes to court, ensure you attend all the hearings. Your absence might result in a default judgment against you.
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Keep All Records: Any record related to your debt, such as statements, letters, emails, or agreements, can be important evidence. Keep them safe and organized.
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Settlement Negotiation: In some instances, it might be possible to negotiate a settlement for a lower amount than what's claimed. A lawyer can help negotiate terms that are more favorable to you.
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Understand Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) which protects consumers from abusive and unfair collection practices. Violations of this act can be used as a defense in your case.
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Credit Report Monitoring: Monitor your credit reports for any discrepancies or incorrect information. If the debt collector has reported inaccurate information, it can be used as a defense and may even result in damages for the consumer.
How to Know You've been Sued for Credit-Card Debt
In New York, when legal proceedings for a debt are initiated against you, the party suing you - the plaintiff, is obligated to provide you with a summons and a complaint. One of these legal documents will contain the phrase "Consumer Credit Transaction," signifying that the lawsuit pertains to consumer debts such as credit cards, bank loans, or medical expenses.
The process of delivering these documents to you, known as service, can happen in three distinct ways:
- Direct hand-delivery to you.
- Hand-delivery to a suitable individual at your residence, followed by a copy being mailed to you.
- Placed at a location where it is reasonable to expect you'll discover them, with a copy additionally mailed to you.
Upon receipt of the lawsuit notice, you'll be racing against time to provide a response. This act of responding to the lawsuit is referred to as filing an answer or answering the case.
If you need help, call us at (888) 271-7109, or complete this form.