By: Robert J. Nahoum
RECENT VICTORY:
Our client recently discovered two separate default judgments entered against him in the Supreme Court, Rockland County in 2006 by junk debt buyer Erin Capital Management when reviewing his credit reports. Â Surprisingly, it is not uncommon for a debt buyer to own more than one account attributable to the same consumer.
After consulting with our firm, we were retained and quickly filed an order to show cause with the Supreme Court, Rockland County to vacate and dismiss the case for sewer service.  In support of our motion, we produced a copy of a lease agreement showing that our client was living in Los Angeles when he was allegedly served in New York. Soon after making the motion and before the court had a chance to rule, Erin Capital’s attorneys Eltman Law voluntarily vacated the judgment and dismissed the case.
Erin Capital is exclusively represented in New York by Eltman Law (formerly known as Eltman, Eltman & Cooper). Like, Erin Capital, Eltman Law has been accused of and sued for violating the FDCPA.
THE RULE:
According to New York State law, before a court can render a judgment against you, it must first acquire PERSONAL JURISDICTION over you. Personal jurisdiction is obtained by serving you with a summons and complaint; but, you must be properly served. Here are the ways you can be served:
- Personal Service – delivering a copy of the summons and complaint to you personally;
- Suitable Age and Discretion Service – delivering a copy of the summons and complaint to someone in your home of “suitable age and discretion†(someone competent enough to pass the papers on to you);
- Nail and Mail – After at least two failed attempts at personal or suitable age and discretion service, the process server may post a copy of the summons and complaint to the door and mail a copy to your last known address.
THE SOLUTION:
A default judgment can be reversed or “vacated†if the consumer can show that (1) the affidavit of service is bogus or (2) that he or she has (a) a defense to the case (like “I don’t owe the moneyâ€, “I don’t owe that much money†or “I don’t know who the plaintiff isâ€); and (b) a reasonable excuse for defaulting (like “I didn’t know I had been suedâ€).
If a consumer can show that the affidavit of service is bogus, the court must vacate the judgement and dismiss the case. If the consumer can’t convince the court that the affidavit of service is bogus but can show a defense and a reasonable excuse for defaulting, the case may return to the beginning and the consumer will be given the chance to answer the complaint and mount a defense.
WHO IS Erin Capital Management?:
Erin Capital Management is an infamous “debt buyerâ€, buying up portfolios of old debt from banks, credit card companies, hospitals, doctors, cell phone companies and car companies for pennies on the dollar.  The debt buyers then try to collect the full amount from consumers, plus interest, penalties, late fees, overdraft fees, attorney’s fees and whatever other kinds of fees they can dream up.
Erin Capital Management is an accused notorious violator of federal debt collection laws known as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and is sued regularly by consumers for these violations. The FDCPA generally prohibits the use of false, deceptive and harassing debt collection tactics. If a debt collector violates the FDCPA, it can be sued for statutory damages up to $1,000.00, actual damages (like pain and suffering) and the debt collector may have to pay for the consumer’s attorney.
Erin Capital Management was represented by debt collection mill Eltman Law (formerly known as Eltman, Eltman and Cooper). Like, Erin Capital Management, Eltman Law has been accused of and sued for violating the FDCPA.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:
If you’ve been sued by Erin Capital Management in a debt collection lawsuit, consider hiring a qualified attorney experienced in debt defense. The Law Offices of Robert J. Nahoum, P.C. routinely represents consumers in debt collection lawsuits brought by debt buyers like Erin Capital Management in New York and New Jersey.
As with all of our debt defense cases, The Law Offices of Robert J. Nahoum, P.C. analyzes debt collection cases brought by debt buyers to determine if any violations of the FDCPA have occurred. If so, we recommend to our clients that suit be brought in Federal District Court on behalf of the consumer and against the debt buyer.
If a debt buyer like Erin Capital Management violates the FDCPA, you can sue it for statutory damages up to $1,000.00 plus actual damages (like pain and suffering) and your attorney’s fees. In FDCPA cases, The Law Offices of Robert J. Nahoum, P.C. doesn’t charge our clients a penny out of pocket.
If you need help settling or defending a debt collection law suit, stopping harassing debt collectors or suing a debt collector, contact us today to see what we can do for you. With office located in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Rockland County, the Law Offices of Robert J. Nahoum defends consumers in debt collection cases throughout the Tristate area including New Jersey.
The Law Offices of Robert J. Nahoum, P.C
(845) 232-0202
www.nahoumlaw.com
info@nahoumlaw.com