Consumer Protection Lawyer in Englewood, Chicago
Representing Illinois Consumers in Individual Claims & Class Actions Since 1985
Edelman Combs Latturner & Goodwin, LLC has advocated for Illinois consumers since 1985, handling individual consumer protection claims and class actions involving unfair and unlawful business practices. With decades of experience, our attorneys understand the complexities of these cases and work to hold businesses accountable when consumers’ rights have been violated.
If a debt collector, credit reporting agency, lender, or telemarketer has violated your rights, call us at (312) 626-3585 to schedule a free consultation. Our Englewood consumer protection lawyer can advise you.
Experience & Results Behind Our Consumer Practice
Our attorneys collectively bring more than 200 years of combined experience handling consumer protection cases. Over that time, we’ve recovered more than $500 million for consumers through individual lawsuits and class actions. That track record reflects cases against banks, lenders, credit reporting agencies, landlords, and other large organizations that tried to take advantage of the people we represented.
Attorney Daniel A. Edelman holds an AV Preeminent peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been named to Super Lawyers. Members of our firm also contribute to the development of consumer protection law through legal publications, professional presentations, and testimony before regulatory agencies and legislative bodies.
Types of Consumer Protection Claims We Handle in Englewood
Consumer protection disputes can arise in many different ways. Our attorneys represent consumers in a range of matters and evaluate each situation based on the facts and applicable law.
We handle the following types of claims:
- Abusive debt collection
- Unfair business practices
- Credit reporting violations
- Housing and lending disputes
- Unfair auto financing
If you believe you have experienced one of these or another type of consumer protection issue, our Englewood consumer protection attorney can review the circumstances and explain what legal options may be available.
Abusive Debt Collection & the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive tactics, including calling before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., contacting third parties about your debt, and making threats. You may be entitled to statutory damages for a violation even without proof of actual financial injury, in addition to any actual harm you can demonstrate.
If a debt collector has contacted you repeatedly, used threatening language, or misrepresented the amount you owe, that conduct may constitute a violation. We evaluate these situations carefully and can explain what your rights are under the FDCPA.
Credit Reporting Errors & the Fair Credit Reporting Act
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how consumer credit information is collected, maintained, and used. It gives you the right to dispute inaccurate information on your credit report and requires credit reporting agencies to investigate those disputes. Accessing or using a consumer’s credit report without a legally permissible purpose is itself a violation of the FCRA.
Errors on a credit report can affect loan approvals, interest rates, and housing applications. If you’ve found inaccurate information on your report or have reason to believe your report was pulled without authorization, we can help you understand whether a viable claim exists.
Housing & Lending Disputes in Illinois
We represent individuals across Illinois in housing and lending disputes involving unfair or deceptive practices. The Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act protects consumers against dishonest conduct in trade and commerce, including transactions involving lenders and landlords. When a financial institution or property owner acts deceptively, that conduct can give rise to a claim under state law as well as applicable federal statutes.
Unwanted Telemarketing Calls & the Telephone Consumer Protection Act
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) restricts unsolicited calls and text messages to cell phones, including automated calls and prerecorded messages. If you’ve been receiving unwanted robocalls or automated texts despite asking to be removed from a calling list, you may have a path to statutory damages for each violation.
What Can a Consumer Protection Lawyer Do?
Consumer protection attorneys help individuals understand and enforce their rights when businesses engage in unfair, deceptive, or unlawful conduct.
A consumer protection attorney can assist by:
- Providing legal advice: They can explain your rights and discuss the legal options that may be available based on your circumstances.
- Evaluating your claim: An attorney can review the facts, documents, and communications involved to determine whether you may have a viable consumer protection claim.
- Preserving evidence: They can advise you on what records, communications, and other evidence may be important to your case.
- Filing complaints: A lawyer can assist with filing complaints with appropriate government or regulatory agencies when applicable.
- Negotiating with businesses: They can communicate with a business on your behalf and pursue a potential resolution.
- Representing you in court: They can represent you in litigation when pursuing a lawsuit is appropriate.
Talk to Our Consumer Protection Attorney in Englewood
Prospective clients can speak with our team through a free consultation. Many of the cases we handle proceed on a contingency-fee basis, depending on the matter.
Englewood residents facing debt collection harassment, credit reporting problems, predatory lending, or unwanted telemarketing calls can reach our team at (312) 626-3585 or through the contact form on this site.