Consumer Attorney Sergei Lemberg Offers Assistance to Harvey Victims Hounded by Debt Collectors
Wilton, CT (PRWEB) September 07, 2017 -- The waters are receding, but consumer attorney Sergei Lemberg (http://www.LembergLaw.com) knows that the victims of Hurricane Harvey will be hit by a second wave when debt collectors start calling. "Many people have lost everything - their homes, their possessions, and their jobs," he said. Noting that it could take weeks before money from the federal government and relief organizations begins to trickle in, Lemberg said, "Texans and Louisianans who don't have a financial safety net are positioned to be re-victimized by debt collectors and banks."
Lemberg and the Lemberg Law staff are poised to use federal and state law to fight debt collection abuse on behalf of Hurricane Harvey victims. Under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), debt collection agencies are prohibited from engaging in harassing behavior, which includes calling early in the morning or late at night, using profane or obscene language, and making threats. "Unfortunately, it's common for debt collectors to threaten to sue consumers, even if they have no intention of doing so," Lemberg said. "Those who have been hit hardest by Hurricane Harvey are already under an enormous amount of stress; they shouldn't have to deal with debt collection harassment as well."
Debt collection agencies and banks sometimes call so frequently as to violate the FDCPA's provision against calling to the point of harassment. Other times, collection agencies and banks use automated telephone dialing systems, known as "robocalling," to call consumers' cell phones. "It's a violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act for a business to call a consumer's cell phone without their express consent," said Lemberg.
Under the law, Texans and Louisianans who are working to rebuild their homes and piece together their lives have a right to sue harassing debt collectors and banks. According to Lemberg, "The FDCPA allows consumers to recover $1,000, plus court costs and attorney fees, while the TCPA provides for damages of up to $1,500 per robocall."
Lemberg concluded, "The financial repercussions of the hurricane are just now being felt. So many folks' lives are shattered, and we're committed to fighting for the rights of those experiencing debt collection abuse."
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About Lemberg Law
The attorneys at Lemberg Law represent consumers in lemon law, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and Telephone Consumer Protection Act cases, among others.
For more information, contact:
Sergei Lemberg, Esq.
Lemberg Law
http://www.LembergLaw.com
203.653.2250
Sergei Lemberg, Lemberg Law, http://www.lemberglaw.com, +1 (203) 653-2250 Ext: 5500, [email protected]
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