For the better part of a year Courts have been closed or in limited operation as Covid-19 forced operations to pause. This has huge implications for the debt collection industry. Pro-Publica recently published a story showing how despite court closures, predatory debt collectors have had a record year seizing on the chance to pressure people into handing over stimulus money to satisfy old debts. If you get contacted by one of these companies, it is best to consult a consumer rights lawyer before you agree to speak with, turn over money and settle. In some cases you may not owe the debt, it may be too old for the collector to sue on, or there may be some other defect in the way they contact you that makes the collection illegal under federal or state law.

As Courts reopen, we are likely to see a rush of debt-collection lawsuits. After all, debt collection lawsuits make up more than 40% of all court cases in most states. There is a big backlog and debt collectors (and their lawyers) often operate on high volume with bad records. If you find yourself facing a collection case, do not panic, do not ignore the suit and do not rush to settle. Take a moment and seek the advice of an expert who can help you navigate the situation. Consumer lawyers like Northeast Law Group, LLC often can represent our clients for no charge because we find violations of law that require the debt collector to pay our legal fees on behalf of the client.

If you are unsure of your rights and want to learn more, please contact us. Our initial consultation is always free.