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CREDIT DEFENSE ATTORNEYS
If you’re struggling with credit card debt in New York, it can feel like you’re trapped in a cycle that never ends. But take heart—you are not alone. Thousands of New Yorkers are facing the same challenge, and there are concrete steps you can take to regain control of your finances. With rising interest rates, inflation, and the high cost of living in New York City, credit card debt is more burdensome than ever. In fact, credit card debt in the U.S. reached record levels in 2024, with millions of Americans, including many in New York, finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. But despite the financial strain, there are resources and legal protections to help you find a way out.
The State of Credit Card Debt in New York
In 2024, many New Yorkers were and still are grappling with mounting credit card debt. Rising interest rates—sometimes exceeding 20%—have made it even harder to pay down balances, and this is compounded by New York’s high cost of living. Whether you're living in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or upstate, credit card debt can quickly spiral out of control, making it feel like there’s no way out.
New York State has its own set of financial realities that you need to navigate. For example, if you're in Manhattan, where the cost of rent and basic necessities is sky-high, it’s easy for debt to accumulate faster than your income can keep up. And in upstate New York, where wages tend to be lower, even small credit card balances can become overwhelming. But no matter where you live in the state, you're not alone—New York's consumer debt issues are widespread, and there are ways to get help.
What You Can Do Now: Take Action Before Facing a Lawsuit
If you're behind on your credit card payments and worried about a lawsuit, don't panic. New York law offers several protections and resources that can help you get back on track. Here’s what you can do before things escalate:
1. Prioritize Your Debts
Take a close look at your debts. Start by prioritizing your credit card balances that carry the highest interest rates or that are in danger of turning into legal actions. In New York, unpaid credit card debt can lead to collections and even lawsuits, so addressing the most urgent balances first can help you avoid further damage to your financial health.
For example, if you owe money to a New York-based credit card company, they may file a lawsuit in a local civil court if your debt remains unpaid for long enough. Once the lawsuit is filed, you may face wage garnishment or even the seizure of your property. Prioritize the accounts that have the potential for the most serious legal consequences.
2. Contact Your Creditors
Before your credit card companies decide to take you to court, contact them. In New York, many creditors will work with you to establish a payment plan, reduce interest rates, or even offer temporary relief. Simply calling them to discuss your situation can often prevent collection calls and buy you some time to get your finances in order.
If you are having trouble with a specific creditor, you can file a complaint with the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), which regulates financial institutions operating in the state. They may be able to assist in resolving disputes or negotiating better terms for you.
3. Seek Non-Profit Credit Counseling
Consider contacting a non-profit credit counseling service. These agencies can help you assess your financial situation and develop a Debt Management Plan (DMP). With a DMP, you may be able to consolidate your payments and reduce your interest rates—helping you pay off your debt faster and more affordably.
There are several reputable non-profit organizations in New York, such as The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and Money Management International (MMI), which provide free or low-cost services to New Yorkers in financial distress.
4. Consider Debt Settlement
If you’re already behind and facing legal threats, you may want to explore debt settlement. This involves negotiating directly with creditors to pay less than what you owe, typically in a lump sum or through a structured payment plan. While debt settlement can be an effective way to reduce your debt, it’s important to understand that it may affect your credit score, and creditors are not always willing to negotiate.
In New York, if you're dealing with multiple creditors and mounting debt, a debt settlement attorney familiar with New York state law can help negotiate a settlement on your behalf. They can also help you navigate the legal system if you're facing a lawsuit.
What to Do If You’ve Been Sued
If you’ve already been served with a lawsuit, it’s crucial to act quickly to protect your rights. In New York, failure to respond to a lawsuit within the prescribed timeframe can lead to a default judgment. This means you could lose your case automatically, resulting in wage garnishment, bank account levies, or the seizure of your property.
Here’s how to proceed if you've been sued:
1. Review the Documents Carefully
When you receive a lawsuit, carefully read the summons and complaint. Make sure that the creditor is legitimate and that they have provided all necessary documentation to back up their claim. Under New York law, creditors must provide clear proof of the debt in court. If they cannot prove that you owe the debt, the case may be dismissed.
2. Respond on Time
In New York, you have 20 days from the date of service to file an answer to the lawsuit with the court. If you fail to respond within this period, the court may issue a default judgment, which can result in serious financial consequences. If you’re unsure how to respond, it's crucial to consult with a qualified attorney.
3. Don't Wait - Get Legal Help Today
Contact a credit card defense attorney immediately if you’ve been sued. A lawyer who specializes in New York debt law can help you understand your options, including filing an answer to the lawsuit, negotiating a settlement, or defending against the claim. Experienced attorneys can also help you identify any mistakes made by the creditor in the lawsuit, which could result in the case being dismissed.
We’re Here to Help on Your Path to Financial Freedom
At The Credit Card Defense Center of New York, we understand that dealing with credit card debt in New York can feel like a heavy burden. But you don’t have to face this alone. Whether you’ve already been sued or are just worried about mounting debt, we can help. Our team of experienced New York credit card defense attorneys offers free consultations to assess your situation and provide personalized advice.
We’ve helped countless New Yorkers protect their assets, negotiate settlements, and defend against lawsuits. With the right strategy, it’s possible to reduce your debt, protect your rights, and start over with a fresh financial outlook.
Take the First Step Toward Financial Freedom Today
Remember, you can regain control of your financial future. The key is taking action now. Whether that means negotiating with your creditors, seeking credit counseling, or getting legal assistance to fight a lawsuit, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
If you’re struggling with credit card debt in New York or have already been sued, contact us today for your no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to your unique situation, offer you honest advice, and help you find a path to financial freedom.
The Credit Card Defense Center of New York
Email: info@creditcarddefensecenter.com
Don’t wait—reach out now to get started on your journey toward a debt-free future.
No matter how large, famous or seemingly powerful the company is which is after you for money, the consumer protection and debt defense attorneys at The Credit Card Defense Center of NY are ready to come to your defense today.
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Our experienced debt defense attorneys offer an aggressive debt collection defense with more than fifty years of combined experience and a proven track record of success when it comes to handling consumer debt lawsuits.
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Contact us today to consult with an attorney about debt defense anywhere in New York State.
Here are some of the types of lawsuits we've handled:
ALL RESULTS ARE
A MATTER OF THE PUBLIC RECORD
CAPITAL ONE BANK sued my client for $32,000 in July, 2017 and I struggled with the bank for a 2 years and 4 months while my client paid $00 to the bank during this time. My client was able to save money during this “Quiet Period”, allowing us to forge a settlement with Cap One in December, 2018 for a $14,000 one-time payment, thereby saving my client $16,000. DISCOVER finally agreed to accept $4800 to resolve this matter once and for all. Case ID: StarCase
üSupreme Court – New York County (August., 2019): AMERICAN EXPRESS sued my corporate client based in Texas in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan for $395,000. I fought off American Express for exactly one year, give or take a day or two. After hours of negotiation and courtroom litigation, resulting in a negotiated settlement for a one-time patent of $130,000 to be paid within 24 hours of the settlement. Result: Corporate client saves $265,000 off his Amex bill and case is closed. Client okays under $10,000 in legal fees for this feat. Case ID: ComMEch.
üCivil Court – New York County (August., 2019): CITIBANK, NA went after my 75-year retired business man client with a vengeance of approximately $5,0000 on his Citi Card. The well-known collection firm assigned to this case aggressively brought on a motion in Civil Court to attempt to obtain a judgement against my client. I fought the case in Court for exactly two years, during which time my client paid nothing ($00.))) to Citibank during this time. Eventually, I, able to settle the case for the sum of $2400, payable at the rate of $100 per month for 24 months, a more affordable sum for my client. Case ID: LOuD
üSupreme Court – Putnam County (May., 2019): AMERICAN EXPRESS sued my fireman client for $65,000 after he got behind over unexpected expenses while building his upstate dream home and his wife suffered some temporary medical complications requiring planned home care after an eventful pregnancy. I struggled with AMERICAN EXPRESS for months and obtained assistance from an understanding Court in allowing my client enough time to get his finances together and make a payment plain. We were finally able to work out a disposition satisfactory to both sides that required my client to pay $40,000 within 30 days, which payment ended the case once and for all. Result: Client saves $25,000 off his Amex bill. Happy family ending too. New home finished, baby & mom safe and well. Client back to work as a good public servant. Case ID: Fireshield üSupreme Court – Kings County (April., 2019): Defaulted Students Loans are very troublesome. My client was sued in April, 2018 by NATIONAL COLLEGIATE STUDENT LOAN for $12,500. At the time, he was in between jobs and has young children. And his mother, a home owner with her home now at risk, was the co-signor. So, of course she was sued as a co-defendant. I stepped in, controlled the case, and stopped the entry of a judgment. Then, I defended the case for 10 months on behalf of my client and his mom. Case settled quietly with no muss and fuss for $8500 with payments of $175 a month for 48 months with no interest. Client happily saves $4,000 and a bunch of aggravation.
üCivil Court – Brooklyn (March., 2019): MASON INTERACTIVE, an internet design firm, had a default judgment against my client for approximately $30,000 in Civil Court, Brooklyn. I brought an Order to Show Cause and got a judge’s signature stopping the City Marshal, releasing the client’s bank account and vacating the judgment. I negotiated a settlement of $12,000, payable over 3 payments, saving the client approximately $16,000 after fees & costs. Case ID: InjMoh
üSupreme Court – Broome County (March., 2019): AMERICAN EXPRESS sued client and his corporation starting in 2015 for unpaid credit card bills. I struggled against AMERICAN EXPRESS for 3.5 years because the client had many good faith disputes that had not been fully addressed by AMERICAN EXPRESS. After refusing to resolve my client’s legitimate disputes in their favor, AMERICAN EXPRESS sought $130,000 in a lawsuit right in Supreme Court Broom economy. After court appearances and many court payments I were finally able to resolve the $130,000 case for a settlement of $45,00 in a one-time payment. That settlement payment was made easily by bank wire and, consequently, the client saved approximately $90,000, even after accounting for legal fees Case ID: Silsbee
üSupreme Court – Suffolk County (Feb., 2019): AMERICAN EXPRESS wants $45,000 from my client and sues just as he is having unexpected financial difficulties in his start up business. AMERICAN EXPRESS is kept under control for nine months so client can gather his wits and his funds. Case settled in February, 2019 for $20,000, payable with $15,000 down and $5,000 payable one month later. Client saves approximately $22,000 including legal fees. Case ID: Bender
üSupreme Court - Manhattan (Nov., 2018): NATIONAL COLLEGIATE STUDENT LOAN sued my working mom client for $46,000 nearly 5 years after her last payment on a student loan. But the suit was filed too late & in violation of the statute of limitations. Before trial, I brought on a motion (a written request to the court) to dismiss the case. Upon review of my motion, National Collegiate agreed to dismiss the case. Out client walked away paying nothing to this creditor, saving more than $46,000. Case ID: Angelina
üSupreme Court - Manhattan (Nov., 2018): AMERICAN EXPRESS sued my cash poor asset rich client two years ago for $30,000. Client settles for a one-time payment of $15,000 this month, after finally receiving his inheritance, and the case is over. Client was able to save more than $13,000 including legal fees and a bunch of aggravation in the process. Case ID: Mark
üSupreme Court - Nassau (Nov., 2018): AMERICAN EXPRESS sued my police sergeant client for $41,803.04 in June 2016. I fought AMERICAN EXPRESS in Court for 19 months. My client paid nothing to AMERICAN EXPRESS during that time. Client was able to save $23, 000 to pay off AMERICAN EXPRESS during that time. I ultimately settled in March, 2018 for $22,000, shaving $19,803 off his AMERICAN EXPRESS bill. Client paid 4.7 % of the outstanding claim in legal fees and, therefore, saved a net $17,803, even accounting for legal fees. Result: Client saves a net $17,803 even after legal fees Case ID: Brian
üSupreme Court - Manhattan (Oct., 2018): AMERICAN EXPRESS sued my upper west side designer & condo owner for $35,000 in Nov., 2016. I litigated against AMERICAN EXPRESS for 15 months while client paid $00.00 to AMERICAN EXPRESS during this time. $21,000 Settlement. Client had saved $24,000 to pay off AMERICAN EXPRESS, shaving $11,000 off his AMERICAN EXPRESS bill and avoiding a lien on his Central Park West condo. Result: Client saves $11,000.
Case ID: Adam
üSupreme Court - Manhattan (Oct., 2018): AMERICAN EXPRESS wanted $25,502.94,000 from my soon-to-be-divorced mom with minor children. After a year of litigation, AMERICAN EXPRESS demanded a one-time payment of $17,000 to settle the case. Clients owns property, has a good profession but no support from soon to be ex-husband and in divorce court. AMERICAN EXPRESS settled for $15,000 payable over 15 months. Client was charged a fee of 5% of the outstanding amount and saved over $10,000 off her AMERICAN EXPRESS bill. Result: Case ID: Eileen
üSupreme Court - Manhattan (Oct., 2018): AMERICAN EXPRESS wanted $550,000 from my corporate client and, after a year of litigation in Court, got exactly nothing. Client offered $200,000. American Express foolishly refused, insisting on a settlement payment of $400,000. They got exactly $00.00. Attorney fee for Client was only 2% of the outstanding amount and walked away paying American Express nothing. Client saves 100%. and pays $00.00 to American Express. Case ID: HC1
üSupreme Court - Westchester (Dec., 2017): AMERICAN EXPRESS wanted $16,746.17 from my small business client (trucking) and started the lawsuit in July, 2016. Sixteen months later, case settled for a $8,534.00 one-time payment, ending the matter once and for all, saving 50% in the process. Client was charged a total fee of 7% of the amount being used for in the lawsuit. Client saves 50%. Case ID: Bill R.
üSupreme Court - Suffolk (Dec., 2017): AMERICAN EXPRESS sued for $10,218. Eleven months later, the case was settled for $6,134. Client saves approximately 40%. Result: Client saves 40%. Case ID: SuDr1
üSupreme Court - Manhattan (Dec., 2017): AMERICAN EXPRESS sued my client, a small, hard working self-employed business man, for $44,120.83. Eight months later, case settled for $30,000 payable over 12 months, saving client approximately 32%. Result: Client saves 32%. Case ID: LoDe1
üNYC Civil Court - Manhattan (Dec., 2017): Original creditor BANK OF AMERICA sues my client in two different cases at the same time for a total of for $30,600. Six months later, case settled for $18,000 payable over 24 months, saving the client 41%. Result: Client pays exactly $30,000 to AMERICAN EXPRESS. Case ID: LoDe2
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