By: Robert J. Nahoum
Stephen Einstein & Associates was, until recently, a relatively small time player in the New York debt collection world. 2015 changed everything for Stephen Einstein & Associates when it took over all the debt collection operations of the infamous and embattled debt collection law-firm Mel S. Harris & Associates.
Mel Harris & Associates was essentially put out of business this past year due to its abusive debt collection practices. All of Mel Harris’ cases have been purportedly transferred to Stephen Einstein & Associates.
According to the New York State Unified Court System, before closing its doors, Mel Harris still managed to file 3,878 New York debt collection lawsuits in 2015 alone. Combined with the 4,688 New York Debt collection cases filed directly by Stephen Einstein & Associates in 2015, the busy debt collection law-firm is now handling more than 8,500 debt collection cases filed in 2015 alone.
Both Stephen Einstein and Mel Harris routinely represent debt buyers who buy up portfolios of old debt from banks, credit card companies, hospitals, doctors, cell phone companies and car companies for pennies on the dollar.  Debt collection cases like these are most often brought in New York’s civil, city and small claims courts.
To accommodate its rapid growth, Stephen Einstein & Associates moved its offices from Vesey Street in Manhattan to 39 Broadway, Suite 1250 New York, New York 10006.
While Stephen Einstein & Associates is a law-firm, in reality they are more like a glorified collection agency using the courts as a debt collection tool. Once a judgment is obtained, law-firm debt collectors like Mel Harris & Associates can freeze bank accounts, garnishee wages and issue subpoenas.
Law-firm debt collectors like Stephen Einstein & Associates employ few attorneys but many debt collection agents. In fact, if you call them, you will not speak with an attorney, you will speak with a debt collection agent who is probably being paid a commission for any money he or she collects from you.
Stephen Einstein & Associates and many of its debt buyer clients are sued regularly by consumers for violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The FDCPA is a federal law that regulates the collection of consumer debts. It precludes third party debt collectors from using false, misleading, deceptive and harassing debt collection tactics.
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