Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources (2)
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Consumer & Homeowner Resources during COVID-19
The Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project has put together a list of useful consumer and homeowner information. Content Detail
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Student and Medical Debt (Video and PDF)
This is a video and a PowerPoint presentation designed to help you understand the protections that have been put in place for people dealing with student loan debt and medical debt during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first half of the presentation is about student loan debt and the second half is about medical debt. Read More
I want to know about my rights (1)
I am being sued for a debt (7)
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Answer and Demand for Documents for Consumer Debt Case
This free program will help you complete an answer to a complaint against you for a debt, and will help you write a demand for documents. Content Detail
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Common Defenses in a Debt Collection Case
This page of the NY State Court's CourtHelp website lists examples of defenses to a debt collection case. It is not a substitute for obtaining legal advice in your individual case. Content Detail
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Defending Creditor Lawsuits
Everything you need to know to defend yourself against a creditor, debt buyer, or debt collector in civil court. Some of the information about court procedures applies to New York City only. Content Detail
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I Am Being Sued For A Debt: What Should I Put In My Answer?
An answer is a response by the defendant (the person being sued) to the claims made by the plaintiff (the party who filed the lawsuit) in the complaint, which includes defenses, which are reasons why the plaintiff should not win. Content Detail
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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I Have Received Papers Labeled “Summons” and “Complaint.” What Are These and What Should I Do?
If you receive any papers with the words “summons” or “complaint” on them, do not ignore them. These are papers starting a lawsuit against you. The papers should also say “CONSUMER CREDIT TRANSACTION” in bold letters at the top. Content Detail
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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I’ve Been Sued for a Debt: What Will Happen When I Go To Court?
If you are being sued for a debt, here are two helpful resources that will tell you what to do next. Read More
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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Negotiating a settlement agreement in court
This fact sheet gives you information if you have been sued in the NYC Civil Courts and want to negotiate a settlement agreement in court with the plaintiff's attorney. This is for active court cases. Content Detail
A judgment was made against me when I wasn't in court (3)
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How to Remove (Vacate) a Default Judgment
What Is A Default Judgment? If there is a default judgment against you, it means that a plaintiff (the person or company who files a lawsuit) sued you and won the case automatically. The plaintiff won because you did not respond to the summons and complaint, or you did not appear in court when you were supposed to. This happens fairly regularly because people are often not properly notified about lawsuits... Content Detail
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Vacate a Default Judgment in a Consumer Debt Case
This free DIY Form will create a document that tells the court why you didn't respond to a consumer debt lawsuit. For example, you might not have gone to court because you never received notice of the case. Content Detail
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Vacating a Default Judgment (Order to Show Cause)
This guide provides general information for New Yorkers who are facing debt collection lawsuits in the New York City civil courts. It explains how to vacate (re-open) a default judgment. Content Detail
My wages are being garnished (3)
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Frozen Bank Accounts
What to do if your bank account has been frozen by creditors. Includes a discussion of a law protecting people who receive government benefits like SSI and unemployment. Read More
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Wage Garnishments
Explains how much of your wages can be garnished for a private debt Content Detail
I have exempt income (4)
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Dealing with Debt Collectors
There are laws in New York State that protect you from being harassed by bill collectors. You can't be thrown in jail because you owe money to a furniture store or your dentist. Read this article to learn more. Content Detail
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What is Exempt from Debt Collection?
Explains what kinds of benefits and income are protected from debt collection. Also explains the law that protects certain bank accounts from being frozen by debt collectors. Content Detail
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What kinds of income can be taken out of my bank account?
Exempt income is money you receive that cannot be taken by debt collectors. If your benefits have been taken out of your bank account or your bank account has been frozen, read this resource to learn more about your rights. This resource is designed for residents in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Read More
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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Your rights against debt collectors under NYC law
This resource explains how NYC law can protect you from debt collectors who may be harassing you and your rights when communicating with debt collectors. Content Detail
I want a debt collector to stop contacting me (11)
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Connecting Consumers with Law Enforcement Agencies
You can use this site to file a complaint about a scamming incident, or learn more about recent trends in fraud and identity theft. Content Detail
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Dealing with Debt Collectors
There are federal and state laws that protect you from being harassed by debt collectors. Read here to find out what can and what cannot happen to you if you owe money. Content Detail
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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Disputing the debt
Once you dispute a debt, the debt collector must stop all debt collection activities until it provides you with proof that you actually owe the debt. If the debt collector can’t provide you with that proof, it will never bother you again. If the debt collector does provide proof of the debt, you will be in a better position to decide what to do about it. Learn more about disputing a debt. Content Detail
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File a Consumer Complaint with the NY Attorney General Online
If you have a complaint against another individual, a business or a company regarding an online or in-store transaction, the New York Attorney General's Internet Bureau Mediation Unit may be able to help you secure a refund or repair. Before you file a complaint, read the overview carefully to make sure you qualify for help. Read More
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How Do I Stop Debt Collectors From Bothering Me?
I Receive Phone Calls And Letters Almost Every Day From Debt Collectors. Can I Make It All Stop? Content Detail
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Sample Cease Letter
Are debt collectors constantly calling you? Do you feel harassed by these calls? You can stop debt collection calls by sending a "cease letter" to the debt collector stating that you want them to stop contacting you. Here is an easy-to-use sample letter that you can type into directly or that you can print and fill out by hand. Content Detail
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Sample Cease Letter if you have Exempt Income
If you receive Social Security, Public Assistance, or other exempt funds, use this letter to tell a debt collector to stop contacting you. Content Detail
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Sample Debt Collection Dispute Letter
The attached sample letter can be used to dispute a debt and a to tell a collector to stop contacting you. Content Detail
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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Your Rights Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
The FDCPA is a federal law that protects consumers from unfair or abusive debt collection practices. It gives you the right to dispute the debt. It controls how and when a debt collector may contact you and what the debt collector can say to you. Content Detail
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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Your Rights Under the FDCPA: Recognizing Debt Collection Abuse
This resource discusses how to identify debt collection abuse. Content Detail
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- Spanish / Español
I am setting up a payment plan (2)
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I Owe Money and I Want to Set Up a Payment Plan With a Creditor. What Should I Do?
Most People Want To Pay Their Debts. But Is A Payment Plan The Right Answer For You? There are a few important considerations before you decide to make a payment plan. Ask yourself the questions.. Read More
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Negotiating with Debt Collectors
This fact sheet gives information to help you decide whether you should negotiate a payment agreement and, if so, how to get an agreement you can afford. Content Detail
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
I am dealing with debt from medical bills (4)
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A handbook on how to prevent and fix medical debt
This handbook covers the following: common billing problems faced by uninsured and under-insured patients, how to get financial assistance with hospital bills, how to deal with collection agencies, and what to do when patients are sued for medical debt. Click the link to download the PDF. Read More
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I Am Being Sued for a Medical Debt. What Should I Do?
I Am Being Sued for a Medical Debt—What Should I Do? I HAVE RECEIVED A SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT ABOUT A MEDICAL DEBT—WHAT DO I DO? If you are served with a Summons and Complaint, you must file an “Answer.” An Answer is a response by the defendant (the person being sued) to the claims made by the plaintiff (the medical provider or company who filed the lawsuit) that includes defenses. Defenses are reasons why the plaintiff should not win. To file an Answer, you should go to the clerk’s office in the courthouse where the case was filed and fill out an answer form. Read More
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Know your rights when you are facing medical debt
This video explains your rights as a patient when paying for healthcare and how to avoid medical debt. Content Detail
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Student and Medical Debt (Video and PDF)
This is a video and a PowerPoint presentation designed to help you understand the protections that have been put in place for people dealing with student loan debt and medical debt during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first half of the presentation is about student loan debt and the second half is about medical debt. Read More
I am having a problem with a credit company or a loan company (3)
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File a Consumer Complaint with the NY Attorney General Online
If you have a complaint against another individual, a business or a company regarding an online or in-store transaction, the New York Attorney General's Internet Bureau Mediation Unit may be able to help you secure a refund or repair. Before you file a complaint, read the overview carefully to make sure you qualify for help. Read More
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Payday Lending is Illegal in New York
New York State bans payday lending through its longstanding criminal and civil usury laws. It is illegal for any lender to make payday loans, whether in person, by telephone, or over the Internet. It is also illegal to collect on payday loans in New York. Content Detail
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Sample Credit Card Dispute Letter
Click to view this PDF for a sample letter that can be used to dispute an incorrect charge on your credit card bill. Content Detail
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
I am having trouble paying my bills (2)
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Debt Collection Basics
Learn about your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, including how to recognize and fight back against debt collection abuse. Also see sample letters to dispute a debt and get debt collectors off your back! Content Detail
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I Can’t Afford to Pay My Debts. What Should I Do and What Is Going to Happen to Me?
I was making payments on my credit card regularly, but I can't afford to make payments anymore. What should I do? Read More
I want to collect a judgment (1)
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Collecting a Judgment
If you win a judgment from the Court, this does not mean that you get a check at the end of the case. Often, you have to take steps to find and collect the judgment. Learn about what you need to do to collect a judgment without hiring an attorney. Content Detail
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