Fair Debt Collection Protection

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fair debt collection practices act lawyer in columbus

Fair Debt Collection

Columbus, Ohio

If you are receiving unwanted calls from collection agencies, look no further.  Hilton Parker LLC has been trusted by hundreds of consumers when it comes to filing, settling, or litigating their Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”) claims.  Under the FDCPA, you may be entitled to compensation for debt collection harassment—and we may be willing to take your case at no out-of-pocket cost to you.

Under the FDCPA, debt collectors generally cannot:

  • Discuss your debt with anyone other than you or your spouse
  • Threaten you with arrest or imprisonment
  • Call you at work after you have told them to stop
  • Falsely threaten to sue you
  • Claim that you have a “court case” against you when no such case exists
  • Claim to be calling from a “law firm” when they are not really attorneys
  • Threaten to send a “process server” to your home or place of employment when they have no intention of actually doing so
  • Threaten to prosecute you for “check fraud” or “defrauding a financial institution”
  • Threaten to send a sheriff to your home
  • Add hidden fees or charges to your debt

You may be entitled to up to $1,000 in statutory damages, plus any actual or emotional damages, plus attorney fees and expenses.

Why Choose Us for Your Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Claim

Not all consumer protection law firms are willing to take your case to Court.  If you click the first Google Ad you see, you risk ending up with a firm that will simply refer out your case to another attorney as soon as it becomes clear a lawsuit actually needs to be filed.  And there’s a good chance the referral firm will be Hilton Parker LLC.

 

There's a good chance The Referral

firm will be hilton parker LLC

  • Jonathan Hilton and Geoffrey Parker are born litigators.  They will be with you from day one until the end of the case, handling everything from drafting the initial documents in court to arguing in front of the federal judge overseeing your case.  And they get results, too.  Every case is fully worked up, so that you can aim for the highest damages possible under the facts of your case.  While other attorneys leave money on the table, Attorneys Hilton and Parker have pioneered the art of getting thousands of dollars in emotional damages for collector harassment—driving up the values of their clients’ settlements.

     

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  • The FDCPA has, for years, been Hilton Parker LLC’s “bread and butter.”  Roughly two thirds of cases our firm handles are FDCPA suits.  We want to put our knowledge and experience in this area of the law to work for you. Read more about how to prepare for our free FDCPA case evaluation.

How You Can Be Protected by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

We take pride in the relationships we form with our clients who need to be protected by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.  Dealing with a debt collector’s attempts to wreck your family life can be stressful.  Our attorneys want to help, and we want you to remain involved with us every step of the way.  At our firm, you can speak directly to an attorney about the status of your FDCPA case.  We also do in-depth client interviews to look for all your potential damages, from money you paid to the debt collector to emotional damages for invasion of privacy, humiliation, defamation, and embarrassment.  If you stay involved with us throughout your case, we will be able to tell your story in the best possible way. Right now, you can find the name of the debt collector who is harassing you.

FDCPA Testimonials

“Mr. Hilton has an unmatched knowledge of how debt recovery operates and handled every detail for me. I heard from Mr. Hilton often when there was an update on my case to keep me informed. . . . It was the personal touch that Mr. Hilton used to stands out most in my mind. When I received my settlement check it was handwritten and Mr. Hilton included a handwritten thank you card.” –Rusty Winsea

 

“I have worked with Attorney Hilton and Attorney Parker on two different occasions.  I must say that their level of expertise is far beyond what I ever expected.  This firm is prompt with every action initiated and work for the good of their clients.  I am above satisfied with the service that I received.  They definitely deserve more than a five-star rating.  I would recommend this firm above any other when you are in need of help!” –Gwen Hollback

 

“I first met Jonathan and Geoffrey as outstanding Fair Debt Collection Practices Act attorneys to whom I referred my bankruptcy clients when the need arose. Subsequently, during the past several years, I have come to know them as brilliant researchers, writers and litigators who handle the most complex and compelling cases. I highly recommend them to clients and other attorneys in need.” –David Bhaerman, Pickerington Bankruptcy Attorney

 

“Let me start by saying I called this firm not knowing where to turn! I was in tears, full-out crying when I called! These guys handled my case with excellence as well as helping my emotional state! They got great results and in much less time than I had anticipated! I recommend them to the fullest! I would also like to shout out a great big thank you to Jeff who was my contact man throughout the entirety of the case! This is a great firm!” –Kimberly Vass

 

“I was undergoing problematic debt collection calls to the point I felt harassed, annoyed and uncomfortable. . . I was so stressed and aggravated. . . . Geoffrey by all means made me feel comfortable with the overall process and experience. He delivers good communication skills and satisfies clients with his willingness to listen.” –Amber Ward

 

“As a first time client I feel very satisfied in picking this firm to work with. From the first time I spoke to Johnathan he had a confidence that helped ease my fears. The communication is outstanding. There was never a time that I needed to contact him that I was not able to get in touch. I found him to be very compassionate and knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend this firm and use them again if the need arises.” –Veronica Grimm

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How Is My Attorney Paid?

We file anti-harassment lawsuits against many different collections agencies and have recovered thousands of dollars for our clients, and we do not charge a penny unless we recover for you.  If you are being harassed by a debt collector, and that debt collector has violated the law, Jonathan Hilton and Geoffrey Parker may be willing to represent you at no up-front cost to you.  Under federal and state laws, if you are able to prove that a debt collector violated the law, the court will require the debt collector to compensate your attorney for bringing the lawsuit.

What Can I Win in a Lawsuit?

If you are successful in a lawsuit against a debt collector for violations of federal law, you can win up to $1,000 for yourself in statutory damages.  You can also recover your actual damages, which may include money that you have already paid to the collector and emotional damages for invasion of privacy.

Ultimately, however, most people find that the best reward for suing is the peace of mind you get from knowing that you stood up for your rights.  Plus, when the phone finally stops ringing from calls with debt collectors, you can get your life back.

What Evidence Should I Save?

If you believe that you are experiencing harassment by a debt collector, you should be sure to save:

  • Any letters or emails you receive from the debt collector.
  • Any voicemails you have received on your phone.
  • Screenshots or phone records of phone calls you’ve received.
  • Any agreements or contracts you signed regarding the original debt.
  • Any social media posts, emails, or text messages documenting when key events occurred.

What If I Don’t Know the Name of the Collector Harassing Me?

Collectors often use spoofed numbers and fake names when calling you.  This is their way of attempting to escape liability under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.  For tips on how to find out what collector is really calling you, see our blog post.

How Long Will My Case Last?

While FDCPA lawsuits sometimes settle quickly, most do not.  It is important for clients to know up front that the defense bar is becoming increasingly litigious, and many defense lawyers want to drag cases out as long as possible.  The hope on their part is that FDCPA claimants will become short on cash and take a lowball settlement, or that the plaintiff’s lawyers will become tired of the case and encourage the plaintiff to be content with less than what he or she deserves.

 

We want to work with clients who are ready and willing to fight for what they are entitled to receive, and who want to take a stand on principle.  Your court case may take a year or more, but if you have been wronged by a collector’s illegal conduct, we will represent you aggressively to the very end.

Where Will My FDCPA Lawsuit Be Filed?

If you reside in Ohio, we will probably file your FDCPA case in one of the federal districts in Ohio.  Our offices are located in the Columbus, Ohio metro area, but we take FDCPA cases all around the state.  We also file cases in the federal districts in Michigan and Indiana, so if you reside there, your suit can be filed close to home.

 

If you are from outside our area, we may choose to file your suit in the federal court in Buffalo, New York if the debt collector is located there.  Over the past two decades, Buffalo has become the well-known “capital” of shady debt collection tactics.  In fact, in February 2020, a movie about sketchy debt collectors was titled “Buffaloed.”  We are frequent litigators in the federal court in Buffalo, and are willing to take your fight to where the collectors are.

Will I Have to Travel for My Case?

If we file your case close to where you live, chances are that you will not have to travel far for your case.  If we file in Buffalo, however, you may need to travel there for depositions or mediation.  These expenses can usually be advanced by our firm and recovered out of any settlement or judgment in your case.  In many cases, you can attend over the phone or by videoconference.

Get a Free Case Evaluation

If you want to speak with us about a potential Fair Debt Collection Practices Act claim, fill out the contact form below so we can schedule a time to hop on the phone with you and discuss your situation.

How Free Case Evaluations Work

When you set up a phone appointment, a paralegal from our office will reach out to you to go over the basics of your potential case.  The paralegal will likely ask you background questions for about 15 or 20 minutes, and may ask you to email or fax us documents (like screenshots, letters, or emails from the collector).  If at that point, we decide that we are able to take your case on contingency, an attorney will reach out to you to set up an initial strategy session.

Free FDCPA Case Evaluation

Hilton Parker LLC Law Office

Located on State Route 256 right off I-70, near the Taylor Square Plaza. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

7544 Slate Ridge Blvd

Reynoldsburg, OH 43068