Helpful Resources

Compiled by Experienced Consumer Protection Lawyers

Are you being contacted by creditors and debt collectors, and need reliable information and advice? Are you confused where to even start? At STERN•THOMASSON LLP, we help consumers enforce their rights to fair debt collection practices by providing resources and useful materials to help you navigate through this complicated issue.

Self-Help Documents

For your reference, below are sample letters you can download and use after you have been initially contacted by a debt collector or if you see inaccurate information on your credit report. Additional materials can be found on the New Jersey Courts On-Line Self-Help Center.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your unique situation, please contact us today to schedule a consultation.

• Disputing a Debt with a Debt Collector
• How to Dispute Inaccurate Information in a Credit Report
• Sample Interrogatories and Requests for Admission to serve on the Plaintiff in a Debt-Buyer Collection Lawsuit
• Sample Interrogatories to serve on the Plaintiff in a Collection Lawsuit involving up to $3,000
• Sample Summary Judgment Brief in Debt-Buyer Cases
• Memorandum of Law on Debt-Buyer Standing

Reference Articles

• Dealing with Debt Collectors
• “Alleged Collection Mill Agrees to Settle Class Suit Over Cursory Case Handling,” New Jersey Law Journal
• “The One Hundred Billion Dollar Problem in Small Claims Court: Robo-Signing and Lack of Proof in Debt Buyer Cases,” Peter A. Holland, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
• “OCC Probing JPMorgan Chase Credit Card Collections,” American Banker
• “How a Whistleblower Halted JPMorgan Chase’s Card Collections,” American Banker
• “Bank of America Sold Card Debts to Collectors Despite Faulty Records,” American Banker

Obtaining Your Credit Report

You may obtain a free copy of your credit report every 12 months. We recommend that you complete this request form and mail it using a method by which you can confirm delivery. You should receive your report within a few weeks.

AnnualCreditReport.com is the only official website to obtain your report online. It was created by Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion in compliance with 15 U.S.C. §1682j(a)(1)(A). We do not recommend obtaining your report online.

Disclaimer: These documents are only examples. They are posted for educational and informational use only. They can be used as a starting point in the drafting process but should never be used without a thorough understanding of their content and the context in which they will be used. The New Jersey Judiciary prepared these materials for individuals who choose to represent themselves in legal matters; however, the information provided here and on the New Jersey Courts website may not be appropriate for your situation; it is not legal advice and should not be substituted for it.