Conner Spani’s experience includes working in the Consumer Protection and Financial Fraud Division of the Oregon Department of Justice and in the Antitrust Division of the Washington State Office of the Attorney General. During his time with these agencies, he observed countless schemes by unscrupulous businesses to defraud and damage consumers. Conner successfully litigated several consumer fraud cases and negotiated hundreds of others.

Washington’s Consumer Protection Act

One of the main tools that attorneys use to protect the rights of consumers in Washington State is the Consumer Protection Act. The CPA prohibits businesses from engaging in “unfair or deceptive” trade practices. These practices can range from bad faith on the part of insurance providers to deceptive sales practices in timeshare sales presentations, and everything in between.

Washington Collection Agency Act and Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

The Washington Collection Agency Act and the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibit harassment, false or misleading statements, and unfair practices by collection agencies. If you believe a collection agency has unreasonably harassed or misled you, you can sue them. You could win damages and lawyer fees. Examples of violations include:

• The collection agency threatens to tell (or tells) your employer or neighbors about the debt.
• The collection agency calls you at hours defined by law as “unreasonable.” The prohibited hours are 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. under federal law, and 9:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. under Washington State law.
• The collection agency threatens you with illegal action, such as threatening to take money out of your Social Security check, taking other exempt property, or threatening arrest or jail.
• The debt collector communicates with you or anyone in your household in a harassing, intimidating, threatening, or embarrassing way.
• The debt collector communicates with you or your spouse more than three times in one week.
• The debt collector sends you notices that deliberately look like government documents or an emergency message.
• The debt collector asks for a postdated check or threatens you with criminal prosecution.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Seattle Consumer Protection Lawyer

Conner Spani assists clients with consumer protection matters in the State or Washington and the State of Oregon. Don’t let unscrupulous business practices and harassing debt collection turn your life upside down. If you have been the victim of a violation of your consumer rights, contact the Law Office of Conner G. Spani for a free consultation.