Top Consumer Protection Lawyers in Crofton & Bowie
Defending Against Unfair Business Practices in Maryland
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.
Understanding Your Consumer Rights in Maryland
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
Stopping Harassment from Debt Collectors in Crofton & Bowie
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.
Combatting Deceptive Advertising in Maryland
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.
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Anonymous v. Building Owner
Substantial recovery for the victim of a slip-and-fall accident who suffered a traumatic brain injury.
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Anonymous v. BJ and Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.
Substantial recovery for victim of another’s negligent driving that necessitated surgery.
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Anonymous Family v. Defendant Driver
Near policy limits recovery was paid to the family of a young woman wrongfully killed by a negligent driver.
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Anonymous Estate and Family v. Multiple Defendants
Recovery for family of wrongful death victim.
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Anonymous v. Defendant Homeowner
Sizable recovery for a minor attacked by a dog, causing injuries which required multiple stitches.
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Anonymous v. PM and Insurance Company
Policy limits paid to a man who lost mobility due to the negligence of another.
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Anonymous v. Defendant Trucking Company
Recovery for victim struck by a large truck that failed to stop at a red light.
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Anonymous v. Defendant Driver and Nationwide Insurance Co.
Six-figure recovery for victim of a multiple roll-over accident that claimed less than $20,000 in medical expenses.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
At Skipper Law, LLC, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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"I highly recommend you to anyone"Dear Mr. Skipper: Please accept the acknowledgement of my appreciation for the imaginative, creative and comprehensive defense you built to represent me in my long and stressful legal counter-suit against my condominium association. I found you to be professional, dedicated and extremely informative on all Home Owners Association (HOA) and Condominium Association Laws. You formulated an excellent strategy by documenting all non-compliant issues throughout the condominium complex concerning the case and personally took pictures of each of the 240 front doors in order to prove the validity of my case. This photo album of these doors was so well put together, it made it easy for the opposing attorneys and the judges to see and understand precisely what we were talking about and where each door was located. Your continued energy and support in pursuit of this case has been essential in keeping me informed at all stages of the case. Your professionalism is truly appreciated. I highly recommend you to anyone needing legal services. Not only do you provide an excellent HOA defense, but you also have a law firm with a diverse skill set that can address other type of legal needs. My experience with your law firm has been very positive, and I believe that you would represent other clients in the same professional and dedicated manner that you have done for me. Thank you.- Fran
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"He is not your typical lawyer, and has very high moral character, honesty, and integrity."I purchased a new SF home and we discovered that we had a water leak in the basement. Matt Skipper was able to help me win my claim against seller for not disclosing this as a "latent defect." Matt was very effective at gathering information and- Brian K.
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"Matt was very kind and professional"I picked up a business card of Matt's at the Crofton Fair and held on to it for about a year. When it came time to re-do my will after my husband past I contacted his office. Matt was very kind and professional, helping me get through an extremely emotional time. He took his time answering my questions, which made me feel quite comfortable.- C.S
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"I recommend Matt for any of your legal issues."Matt is such a professional. I met Matt through a Bible Study at church and we talked about getting wills and other documents in order. When we met for the details he put my husband and myself at ease. The entire process was seamless.- Cindy W.
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"Matt is very honest and a valuable asset."I met Matt for my HOA case for solar panels on my roof. He is very courteous, patient listener and he knew the client needs very well. He gave very valuable advise and is very expert in the legal issues and always do 100% to the client needs.- Former Client
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"I could not recommend Matt Skipper any higher. Great experience!"Matt made the experience of drafting a will comfortable and believe it or not...enjoyable. Friendly, knowledgeable, approachable and consciousness. Matt brought up things I did not know to ask that were valuable for my husband I to think through.- Kristi N.
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"These guys are true professionals."These guys are true professionals. Friendly, knowledgeable, and hard-working.- Sean J.
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"Skipper Law provides first class legal service."They performed excellent background research on my case, assembled all of the relevant facts and Mr. Skipper presented logical and convincing arguments in both District and Circuit court hearings.- John C.