Experienced and Effective Legal Representation in Maryland
Consumer Protection

Crofton & Bowie Consumer Protection Attorneys

Protecting Clients from Deceptive Business Tactics

Consumers put a lot of trust into companies who provide them with the goods and services they need. Unfortunately, there are companies out there to tend to take advantage of consumers and cheat them by supplying defective products, using abusive tactics to get money from customers, or even participating in illegal debt collection and deceptive trade practices. Fortunately, there are laws in place that protect your rights as a consumer and punish those companies who engage in illegal practices. At Skipper Law, LLC, our Crofton and Bowie consumer protection attorneys will listen attentively to the details of your situation and work with you to gather the evidence and information needed to build a strong case. Our team has experience both in and outside of the courtroom and we will passionately fight for the justice you deserve.

To schedule a consultation, call (410) 919-2121 or contact us online.

Know Your Rights as a Consumer

While you should always exercise caution and common sense when purchasing anything, as a consumer, you also have a series of rights that are important to know.

In America, both the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice protect consumers under a series of state and federal laws, including the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

In 1973, Maryland passed the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), which sets minimum statewide standards for the protection of consumers against unfair and deceptive business practices in the following areas:

  • Debt collection
  • Consumer credit extension
  • The purchase, loan, rental, or lease of consumer goods, realty, or services

Illegal Debt Collection

In today’s economy, many people are in debt. Whether it’s student loans, car loans, or even loans for property, chance are many of us owe something to someone. However, in some instances, creditors take things too far and begin to harass you. This can be in the form of numerous calls threatening legal action, having someone arrested, or threatening to garnish wages.

Fortunately, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) as well as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) prohibit:

  • Calls to a cellphone without express permission
  • Calls that are before 8 am or after 9 pm
  • Creditors who disguise their voices
  • Anonymous calls
  • Threats of legal action, arrest, notifying employers, or notifying child services
  • Any violations of the National Do Not Call Registry

Although you may feel powerless due to the constant calls and harassment, know that you have rights and can contact our Crofton and Bowie consumer rights attorneys to help put a stop to such matters. Our goal is to restore your peace of mind.

Deceptive Trade Practices

Have you ever seen an advertisement where the product seemed too good to be true? Chances are you’re right. Unfortunately, there are some businesses and companies out there who make money by deceiving consumers and providing false information in order to get them to purchase their products or services.

Examples of such deceptive trade practices include but are not limited to:

  • False or misleading information about sponsorship, ingredients, benefits, quantities, approvals, etc.
  • Selling a used or altered product and presenting it as new
  • Misleading advertising, including those that display a product or service in different ways than they’re intended to be sold
  • Misrepresenting the reason for a discount or the comparison between a business’s price and that of a competitor’s
  • Falsely stating that a repair or service is needed
  • Falsifying the reason for a sale or discount

Consumer Protection – Illegal Debt Collection

One of the most common sources of stress and anxiety for our clients arises from attempts – often by community associations and their property managers – to collect money from homeowners that is not actually owed. Both federal and state law take seriously illegal debt collection, and it is sometimes true that we uncover illegal debt collection in our representation of homeowners.

Associations often attempt to revoke property rights in an attempt to collect debt, a practice which is often illegal. Other times Associations assert a right to collect fees not provided for by law or seek attorneys’ fees substantially greater than would actually be awarded as reasonable in a court of law.

Because these types of cases often settle confidentially, we are unable to list the many cases we have won on behalf of homeowners subject to illegal debt collection. If your Board of Directors or property manager has implemented a rule or policy that permits the taking of your property rights in an effort to collect debt, please contact us.

To discuss your case with one of our Crofton and Bowie consumer protection attorneys, call (410) 919-2121.

Skipper Law, LLC Will Help You Fight Back

If a business recently resorted to abusive tactics in order to get money from you, we can help. Our attorneys are prepared to do what it takes to pursue favorable results. As a civil litigation firm, we value honesty, and integrity and we work hard to restore justice to consumers who were wronged by any sellers, creditors, or companies.

  • Illegal Debt Collection/Consumer Protection

    Successfully resolve various matters for Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act, Maryland Contract Lien Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Maryland Consumer Protection Act for property owners who had: (a) their parking or pool access revoked for being delinquent on their assessments; (b) for hundreds of thousands of dollars when associations and their attorneys and/or management agents sought to collect amounts they had no legal right to collect; and (c) other illegal debt collection methods.

  • Illegal Debt Collection/Consumer Protection Davy v. Fox Chase Townhouse Association, Inc.

    Successfully represented a homeowner challenging her HOA’s right to place a lien for improperly accelerated assessments and attorneys’ fees. After a trial in the Circuit Court in Annapolis, the Court found that the HOA was not entitled to the lien and awarded a majority of our client’s claimed attorneys’ fees. The HOA appealed, the parties argued the matter before the Court of Special Appeals in Annapolis and Ms. Davy against prevailed. The matter finally resolved on confidential terms.

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