Jeffrey L. Suher, PC

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Are Debt Collectors Harassing you because of credit card debt? Invoke your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Welcome to the website of Jeffrey L. Suher, P.C. Jeff is a Pittsburgh attorney dedicated to protecting consumers against the unfair practices of abusive and sleazy debt collectors. During a career focused on consumer law, Jeff has helped people facing tough financial times fight back and win against the hostile “collections machine” that operates in the underbelly of America’s credit-based economy. Everyday, Jeff makes a positive difference in the lives of clients facing debt collectors hounding them for debt related to:

Case by case, Jeff has delivered peace of mind to his clients by offering proactive legal responses to the abusive and harassing tactics that debt collectors so frequently resort to in their operations. Jeff promotes the rights of the conscientious consumer, and believes that no matter how much money you owe, your dignity, self-respect and privacy are never part of the collateral. State and federal laws agree with Jeff, and for fifteen years, he has applied the power of the law to issue costly reminders to debt collectors that so often overlook the fairness, civility and decency owed to his clients.
Policing Debt Collector Conduct Starts with the Consumer
Under federal law, debt collectors that collect debts in error, provide poor customer service, have rude employees, use improper collection tactics, have improper billing, use vulgarity, make harassing phone calls, and make threats to consumers aren’t acting lawfully or professionally. Federal legislation to address these widespread abuses among collection agencies was enacted into law by Congress in 1977 through the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The FCDPA expressly forbids collection agencies to:

Call you during odd hours;
Make false representations about the debt or their intentions, or otherwise act in ways that violate the Act.

Other laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act and consumer protection laws enacted at the state levels, offer consumers many protections against practices still common within the debt collector ‘culture’. .
These laws can make a powerful difference to the rights of consumers, but they aren’t effective unless the millions of Americans harassed by debt collectors each year step forward, speak out and pursue their rights. Beyond what debt collectors can do to your public record and financial capacity, the impact they can have on your family, social life, mental health and quality of life shouldn’t be taken lightly. By contacting Jeff, you can count on an able and knowledgeable attorney to intervene on your behalf, and ensure that your rights are protected.
Bad Debt Buyers: Making Collections a Never-Ending Pursuit
Suppose you were a college freshman fifteen years ago, filled out an application for your first credit card, got a $500 limit and ordered Domino’s every single night for a month until the credit card was maxed out. When the bill came, you didn’t know how you were going to pay it, and eventually concluded you just wouldn’t. It was a wrong and irresponsible act, you knew, but the credit card company knew they were taking a risk with you. That’s why they were trying to stick you with an interest rate of 28.9 %. Greed on that scale ought to be on the losing end sometimes, you reasoned, so you dodged the credit card company until they stopped bugging you.
It’s not like you got off clean from your college caper. For a long time after that you couldn’t get any credit at all, and during one stretch even the phrase “Your Job is Your Credit” was an empty promise for you. After a while you grew up and became more responsible, started a career, and began rebuilding your credit in earnest. Today, you have your own home, a new car, and excellent credit, and as far as you know, you are the only person on earth who still remembers that when you were a college freshman, you were a financial ne’er-do-well.
Think so? Think again. In recent years, a new and incessant breed of debt collectors has emerged who have discovered the profits in uncovering old debts that the rest of the world has forgotten all about. These vultures scoop up old debts wholesale for pennies on the dollar, and then go after the original debtors years later. What’s worse is that these debts are routinely sold in bulk from entity to entity, and so just when a consumer thinks they’ve resolved the matter with one bad debt buyer, another one crops up looking for payment on the same debt.
Even though it’s legal for bad debt buyers to attempt to collect on an old debt for 10, 15, or even 20 years, what many consumers don’t know is that a bad debt cannot remain on their credit report after seven years of the original default. There is a statute of limitations on how long a bad debt can remain on your credit history, and if debt collectors or Credit Reporting Agencies continue reporting this information beyond seven years, they are committing a major violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Consumers should also be aware that if five years have passed since a bad debt has been in default and they make a payment to a debt collector, the entire collection process resets. In fact, if a debt is older than seven years, it’s probably healthier for your credit if you don’t make a payment. Making a payment could open the door for the debt collector to file a lawsuit for the remainder. There is also a statute of limitations (four years) on how long a debt collector can actually file a lawsuit against you for any debt.
As one can imagine, nothing is beneath this brand of debt collector, and if they can trick a consumer into making even a partial payment on a debt older than four years, they’ve done their job. There’s huge money in old debt, and it’s expected that more than $100 billion will be generated this year. Wall Street is thrilled about this new and “innovative” form of debt collection and investing in the practice heavily.
While nothing can be done (yet) to put bad debt buyers out of business, an effective consumer law attorney can and will ensure that you aren’t harassed or misled by them, and are treated with the respect and dignity you deserve.
If you live in Pennsylvania and are facing harassing tactics from a debt collector over a debt you don’t even remember, contact Jeff and his team today to learn about proactive steps you can take to make debt collectors go away for good.
Feast or Famine: In Today’s Credit Driven Society, there’s not much Middle Ground
Today, the most essential part of a person’s public information is their credit history. Across all the key areas of life, credit has become a primary driver in the American pursuit of happiness. If you want to rent an apartment, own a house, get a job, obtain an education or start a business, credit is the key that unlocks the doors of prosperity and success.
Even insurance companies are planning ways to provide those with good credit lower premiums and other rewards. Other industries we rely on – from our power, cable, trash service – are all exploring and instituting ways to separate the “good risks” from the “bad risks” in their operations. As banks and credit card companies invest millions each year studying buyer behavior, a virtual Sam’s Club of “preferred customers” has emerged. Read more…
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act for Pennsylvania Consumers
Pennsylvania consumer law attorney Jeffrey L. Suher helps his clients ensure that debt collector abuse doesn’t go unanswered. Through the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Jeff has helped thousands of consumers deliver much needed sanity checks to abusive debt collectors, restoring peace of mind to his clients and forcing debt collectors to change their tactics or pay the price. For help asserting your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, contact Pennsylvania attorney
Do you Know What's on Your Credit Report? How to obtain a free report and file disputes...
Pittsburgh Attorney Jeff Suher, is dedicated to protecting Pennsylvania consumers under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Consumers may find old debt that needs to be removed or even identify theft.
Fair Credit Reporting Act for Consumers Rights
Jeff Suher is a Pittsburgh attorney dedicated to protecting consumers against the unfair practices of debt collectors and the lenders and creditors that retain them. Jeff makes a positive difference in the lives of clients facing financial turmoil when information about their student loans, mortgage loans, car loans, medical bills, consumer credit cards is incorrectly reported.
Pittsburgh Personal Injury
Jeff Suher is a Pittsburgh attorney dedicated to helping those injured in car accidents, truck accidents, workplace accidents and other circumstances obtain fair compensation for their injuries. Jeff has made a critical difference in the lives of clients facing insurance companies which refuse to honor their obligations to their customers. If you are struggling with the financial difficulties of a personal injury, contact Jeff in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.
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Jeff Suher, Pittsburgh Consumer Attorney who specializes in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Jeff sues abusive debt collectors and helps consumers that have incorrect information on their credit reports.

Pittsburgh Attorney, Jeff Suher helps consumers fight Debt Collectors and their abusive and harassing ways.
Consumer Attorney, Jeff Suher interviewed on Channel 11 News about debt collection in Pittsburgh

I just received a debt collection letter. What should I do?
Under the FDCPA, it states that a debt collector cannot disclose a debt to a third party. Who is considered a third party?