Michigan FDCPA Attorney

Are debt collectors calling your cell phone non-stop, texting you about someone else's debt, or threatening legal action they can’t take?

Under federal law, you have rights. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) sets strict boundaries on how collection agencies can interact with consumers. When debt collectors cross the line into harassment, deception, or unlawful contacts, they may owe you money.

At the Law Offices of Doug Dern, we don’t just help you manage debt—we aggressively prosecute illegal debt collectors across Metro Detroit. If a debt collection agency violates your rights under the FDCPA, we hold them accountable, demand statutory damages on your behalf, and make them pay your attorney’s fees.

Call (248) 882-0838 today for a free, confidential case evaluation.

The FDCPA (15 U.S.C. § 1692 et seq.) is a federal statute designed to eliminate abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices. It applies to third-party collection agencies, debt buyers, and collection attorneys.

If a collector violates the FDCPA, federal law allows you to recover:

• Up to $1,000 in statutory damages paid directly to you.
• Actual damages for financial loss or emotional distress caused by the harassment.
• Mandatory Attorney's Fees and Costs: The collection agency is legally required to pay your legal fees under 15 U.S.C. § 1692k(a)(3), meaning you pay no out-of-pocket legal fees for us to bring an FDCPA claim against them.

Many consumers assume debt collectors can say or do whatever they want. That is simply untrue. You may have a strong statutory claim if a collector has engaged in any of the following conduct:

Violation Category Examples of Unlawful Conduct Wrong-Number & Third-Party Contacts Calling 

 or texting your phone regarding a debt owed by an unrelated person (e.g., family members, ex-spouses, or strangers). Disclosing your debt details to third parties without your permission.

Harassment & Excessive Calling before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM, calling repeatedly to annoy or harass, or using obscene or abusive language over the phone. False 

False Threats & Misrepresentations Threatening  

Threatening arrest, garnishment, or property seizure without a valid court judgment, or falsely claiming to be an officer of the court or law enforcement. 

Failure to Validate the Debt Continuing

Continuing collection attempts after receiving a timely written debt validation request without providing written verification first.

Ignoring Stop-Contact Demands

Continuing to call or send letters after receiving written notice to cease communication or verbal notice of wrong-number status.

 Step 1: Document Evidence

  (Save voicemails, screenshots of text messages, call logs, and collection letters)

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  Step 2: Free Legal Review

  (Attorney Doug Dern evaluates your records to pinpoint FDCPA and TCPA violations)

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  Step 3: Pre-Suit Settlement Demand or Federal Lawsuit

  (We demand statutory compensation, debt suppression, and coverage of attorney fees)

1. Preserve Your Evidence: Keep every letter, screenshot every text message, save all voicemails, and keep a simple log of incoming collection calls.
2. Contact Attorney Doug Dern: Call our office at (248) 882-0838. We will review your collection logs and communications at zero cost to you.
3. We Make Them Pay: We issue a formal legal demand or file a federal civil lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. We negotiate to get your debt scrubbed, secure statutory cash compensation for you, and make the collector pay our attorney’s fees.

With over 25 years of courtroom and debt defense experience, Attorney Doug Dern represents consumers across Southeast Michigan, including:

• Oakland County: Highland, Milford, Waterford, Novi, New Hudson, Commerce, Pontiac
• Livingston County: Howell, Brighton, Hartland
• Wayne & Macomb Counties

Don't let illegal debt collectors intimidate or harass you. Put 25+ years of aggressive legal experience on your side and turn their illegal tactics into financial recovery.

Law Offices of Doug Dern

Phone: (248) 882-0838

Available for Free Phone Consultations | Straightforward Guidance