Ademi & O'Reilly, LLPWisconsin's Leading Class Action Law Firm

Many debt collectors break the law every day.  They harass consumers, they swear at consumers, use profanity, make ethnic and racial slurs, and lie and deceive consumers.  And we make them pay, with no cost to you.

Last year, the Federal Trade Commission received over 78,000 complaints about debt collectors. This industry’s pattern of abusive and illegal collection activity has been well-documented by the FTC, and it is getting worse instead of better.

These are the most common violations:

·                    Demanding more than you owe.  A debt collector can only demand the actual amount owed.  Even if you don’t pay the inflated amount, the debt collector has still broken the law.

·                    Harassment.  Debt collectors are still routinely using foul language, racial and ethnic epithets, and other abuse to collect debts.  These are strictly prohibited under both Federal and Wisconsin law.

·                    Debt collection calls at work.  Wisconsin law prohibits debt collection calls at work.  Yet, it happens every day, and continues even after requests to cease communication.

·                    Improper and illegal threats.  Debt collectors often threaten arrests, garnishments and foreclosure.  But arrests require criminal conduct (like writing a bad check), garnishments require a lawsuit and a judgment, and foreclosure only involve mortgages or home equity lines.  These threats are usually false, and violate both Wisconsin and Federal law.

·                    Contacting neighbors, relatives and friends.  Discussing your debt with a third party is a clear violation. They can call to find out location information, but as soon as they mention or even hint that they are calling about a debt, they violate the law.

·                    Refusing to cease communication or verify a debt.  You have the right under Federal law to require debt collectors to provide verification of the debt, and you can also ask them to stop contacting you.  But many debt collectors simply ignore these provisions of law.

Of course, there are debt collectors who follow the law, who treat consumers with respect.  And it is unfair to them that many of their colleagues break the law with impunity and success.

YOU can put a stop to these practices, and get PAID for doing it.  Federal and Wisconsin law both provide for penalties to be paid to consumers who bring lawsuits to stop these illegal practices.  The laws also makes the debt collectors pay attorneys fees and costs, so you never have to pay thing out of pocket; you just get the check.  

Our clients have already received thousands of dollars from their debt collectors.  Ellen S. received over $6,000.00; Dennis C. received over $5,000.00, and Andrew B. received over $10,000.  And none of our clients have ever paid anything – no attorneys fees, no court costs, no expenses – absolutely nothing.

This is your chance to turn the tables on your debt collectors.  Many consumer rights expire after one year, so you should take action right away.  Gather your bills and debt collection letters and call us at (414) 727-2814 for a free, confidential appointment.