There are laws in place to protect consumers from unfair debt collection practices. If you are being mistreated by a debt collector, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Markoff Leinberger for more information.

1. DEBT COLLECTION
ESSENTIAL FACTS
K N O W Y O U R O P T I O N S I F Y O U ' R E B E I N G
H A R A S S E D

2. THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION
PRACTICES ACT
T h e F a i r D e b t C o l l e c t i o n P r a c t i c e s A c t
( F D C P A ) h o l d s t h i r d p a r t y c o n s u m e r d e b t
c o l l e c t i o n a g e n c i e s t o s p e c i f i c p a r a m e t e r s t o
p r o t e c t c o n s u m e r s f r o m u n f a i r t r e a t m e n t .

3. C R E D I T C A R D
M E D I C A L B I L L S
M O T O R V E H I C L E L O A N S
S T U D E N T L O A N S
M O R T G A G E S
DEBTS COVERED
BY THE FDCPA
INCLUDE:

4. WHY CONTACT A DEBT
COLLECTION ATTORNEY
A debt collection attorney
can advise you of your rights
and help you end debt
collector harassment.
A D V I C E
In some cases, debt
collectors fail to uphold
regulations, which may
entitle you to compensation.
C O M P E N S A T I O N

5. Y o u a r e p r o t e c t e d f r o m h a r a s s m e n t
a n d a b u s e b y d e b t c o l l e c t o r s .
Failing to identify themselves as a debt
collector
Threatening you with false claims of criminal
prosecution, violence, or damage to your
reputation
Pretending to be law enforcement or a lawyer
Making excessive phone calls
Using inappropriate language
DEBT COLLECTION
HARASSMENT
Prohibited debt collector actions include:

6. HOW TO STOP
DEBT COLLECTOR
HARASSMENT
Request in writing that the
debt collector stop
communicating with you
Request validation of the
debt, including the name and
address of the company
owed the debt
Contact Markoff Leinberger

7. STEPS TO
TAKE IF YOU
FEEL YOUR
RIGHTS HAVE
BEEN
VIOLATED
D O C U M E N T
the debt collector’s actions including
frequency of phone calls and any
harassing behavior
R E C O R D
any inappropriate voicemails
S A V E
copies of all correspondence,
including emails and letters

8. You may be entitled to up to
$1,000 even if you can’t prove
damages.
You may be awarded additional
payment to cover your legal fees
to pursue a lawsuit.
If you can prove damages, you
can sue for lost wages and other
costs.
Class action lawsuits are another
way of pursuing compensation
from a debt collector.
COMPENSATION
FOR DEBT COLLECTOR
HARASSMENT

9. PROTECT
YOURSELF
AND
RECOVER
DAMAGES
Consumer protection lawyers Paul
Markoff and Karl Leinberger have
been representing consumers in the
Chicago area for over 20 years.
W H O W E A R E
We work for you on a
contingency fee basis. In other
words, we don’t get paid unless
YOU get justice.
W H A T W E D O

10. CALL MARKOFF LEINBERGER
FOR A FREE DEBT
COLLECTION CONSULATION
Call us today to schedule a free debt
collection rights consultation in Chicago.
(312) 726-4162
M A R K O F F L E I N B E R G E R
W A N T S T O H E L P Y O U G E T
J U S T I C E