How consumer cases actually work

You don't owe us a dollar unless we win. The federal consumer statutes we use — FCRA, EFTA, FCBA, FDCPA — are fee-shifting, meaning the defendant pays your legal fees when we succeed. In practice this is how ordinary consumers can bring serious cases against banks and credit bureaus.

It depends on the facts, but most cases combine actual damages (out-of-pocket losses, emotional distress, denied credit or jobs) with statutory damages set by Congress ($100–$1,000 per willful FCRA violation; up to $1,000 under the EFTA and FDCPA; up to $5,000 in some FCBA situations) and, where warranted, punitive damages. Willful conduct increases exposure. Class-action cases can be worth substantially more.

Simple FCRA or EFTA claims often resolve in 6–12 months. Complex cases, class actions, or matters that go to trial can take longer. We tell you a realistic timeline after reviewing your file.

Your full credit reports (annualcreditreport.com), every dispute letter you sent and every response you received, bank or card statements showing the disputed activity, any adverse-action letters (job or apartment denials), and anything in writing from the collector or bank. If you have voicemails or texts from a collector, save them.

Yes. Maryland has strong state-law protections — the MCPA and MCDCA in particular — that we often pair with the federal claims. State claims can reach conduct the federal statutes don't and can add remedies.

Yes. Prospective-client consultations are confidential. Submitting the intake form does not create an attorney-client relationship, but nothing you tell us in the intake will be shared.

No. We handle intake by phone, video, and email. If your case is in federal court in Maryland and requires an in-person appearance, we'll coordinate around your schedule.