Is DNS Equity Group Calling You?*

Is DNS Equity Group calling you?* Here’s what you need to know.

If debt collectors are harassing you, you’re not alone. Thousands of Americans have a debt in collections, and their experiences with collection agencies are rarely pleasant. Fortunately, the law is on your side if the collection crosses the line.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

In 1977 Congress passed the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, because too many predatory debt collectors were driving people to bankruptcy. This consumer protection law regulates debt collector communications with consumers and prohibits tactics like those below.

• Using profane or obscene language
• Calling you before 8:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m.
• Calling you at work if they know what such calls are not allowed
• Threatening legal actions they have no intention of carrying out
• Telling your friends, neighbors and coworkers that you owe money and they are trying to collect it from you
• Attempting to collect a debt that is in dispute

Company Profile: DNS Equity Group

DNS Equity Group is a debt collection company located in Hicksville, New York. It was established in 2007 and is represented by Daniels, Norelli, Scully & Cecere, P.C. in litigation matters. Many of its collection efforts appear to be directed at charged-off or overdue Chase Bank accounts. According to records archived at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website, DNS Equity Group has accused of debt collection tactics that violate the FDCPA.

Alleged Violations against DNS Equity Group

Tracylee Harris vs. DNS Equity Group et al*

According to PACER, on February 5, 2009, DNS Equity Group and its attorneys, Daniels & Norelli sued a New York resident to collect a defaulted credit card debt she allegedly owed to Chase Bank. The default occurred on September 8, 2005 and The Plaintiff insisted that Delaware, where Chase Bank was located, had a three year statute of limitations for claims such as this. She argued that the debt was therefore time-barred, as Section 202 of New York State’s Civil Practice Law and Rules recognized Delaware’s statute of limitations.

In May 2009 The Plaintiff received a subpoena (which was also sent to Chase Bank) with a paragraph that read:

I hereby certify that this information subpoena complies with rule 5224 of the civil practice law and rules that I have reasonable belief that the party receiving this subpoena has in their possession information about the debtor that will assist the creditor in collecting the judgment.

Believing that this letter implied that a judgment had been issued against her, she sued both DNS Equity Group and Daniels & Norelli for allegedly violating the FDCPA in the following ways:

• Trying to collect a debt barred by statute
• Harassing and humiliating her into paying a debt she did not owe
• Advising a third party that she owed a debt
• Misrepresenting the character, amount, or legal status of the debt to Chase Bank
• Falsely representing to Chase Bank USA that a judgment had been obtained against her
• Sending her a letter that failed to disclose it as an attempt to collect a debt

The matter was later dismissed.

Hire an Attorney

The phone number for DNS Equity Group is 1-516-338-7520. If this number appears on your caller ID when the phone rings, it means that a debt collector is on the line. If they sue you to collect a time-barred debt, hire a consumer attorney. If you prevail in court, a judge could order DNS Equity Group to pay you $1,000 per FDCPA violation as well as attorney’s fees, court costs, and any actual damages. Your attorney can protect your rights while getting you the compensation you deserve.

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is Case 1:10-cv-00623-GLS-RFT from the United States District Court, Northern District of New York

Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be constructed as legal advice. If you file a claim against DNS Equity Group or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.