By: Robert J. Nahoum With all the news surrounding student loans these days, if you’ve been sued over a private student loan, it may feel different, or even more intimidating, than other debts. But in reality, private student loan collection cases are handled almost exactly like credit card lawsuits and other unsecured debt cases. Understanding this can make a big difference […]
Private Student Loan Lawsuits: Why They’re Just Like Credit Card Debt Cases
Consumer Groups Challenge PSEG Long Island’s Debt Collection Tactics
By: Robert J. Nahoum Consumer advocates AARP New York and the Public Utility Law Project (PULP) are pressing New York Governor Kathy Hochul to investigate PSEG Long Island’s utility debt collection practices, as highlighted in a recent Newsday report. This call comes amid soaring utility arrears exceeding $1.8 billion statewide, with over 1.3 million customers behind by more than two […]
Deceptive Car Sales: Understanding False Advertising Laws in New York
By: Robert J. Nahoum Buying a vehicle is one of the most significant purchases you will make. Unfortunately, not all car dealerships play fair. From bait-and-switch pricing tactics to hidden fees and misleading advertisements, some dealers resort to deceptive practices to lure buyers onto the lot. If you feel you have been misled by a dealer’s advertisement, you are not […]
Leveling the Playing Field: How TILA Fee-Shifting Makes Justice Accessible in Auto Lending
By: Robert J. Nahoum When consumers shop for a new or used vehicle, the financing process can often feel overwhelming. Between confusing paperwork, add-on products, and complex interest rates, it is easy for hidden fees or deceptive practices to slip through the cracks. For most individuals, the thought of hiring an attorney to fight an auto finance dispute sounds far […]
The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) in Auto Lending What You Need to Know
By: Robert J. Nahoum When you walk into a dealership to buy a car, the excitement of driving off the lot can sometimes overshadow the fine print of the financing paperwork. For most of us, an auto loan is one of the largest financial commitments we make. But did you know there is a powerful federal law designed to ensure […]
What Is—and Isn’t—a “Debt” Under the FDCPA?
By: Robert J. Nahoum What the FDCPA means by “debt” The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects consumers from abusive, deceptive, and unfair collection practices. At the heart of the law is its definition of “debt”: “Any obligation or alleged obligation of a consumer to pay money arising out of a transaction in which the money, property, insurance, or services […]
Who Is a “Debt Collector” Under the FDCPA? (And Who Isn’t?)
By: Robert J. Nahoum Are You Being Harassed? Understanding Who the FDCPA Actually Regulates If you are receiving constant phone calls or threatening letters about an unpaid bill, you have likely heard of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This federal law is a powerful shield that protects consumers from abusive, deceptive, and unfair collection tactics. However, a common […]
What Are Your Debt Validation Rights Under the FDCPA and New York Law?
By: Robert J. Nahoum If a debt collector is calling you, sending letters, or threatening legal action, you have important legal protections. The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) gives you the right to ask a collector to validate the debt. In New York, additional state rules let you request substantiation of the debt at almost any time. Understanding these […]
Know Your Rights: The Mandatory Disclosures Every Debt Collector Must Provide
By: Robert J. Nahoum If you are receiving phone calls or letters from a collection agency, it often feels like they hold all the cards. However, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a powerful federal law designed to level the playing field. While many people know that the FDCPA stops collectors from using harassing tactics, fewer realize that […]
Can a Debt Collector Contact You by Email or Text in New York?
By: Robert J. Nahoum Debt collectors increasingly use email and text messages to pursue unpaid debts, but federal law, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), sets strict limits on this contact. In New York, these federal protections apply alongside state consumer laws. If a collector is bombarding you with texts or emails, you have rights to push back. What […]