Are You Being Called By Sharinn & Lipshie?*

Are you being called by Sharinn & Lipshie?* Here’s what you need to know.

Debt collectors can be relentless in their pursuit of your money. They often act without regard for consumer rights, since the ongoing harassment often produces such a lucrative outcome. Don’t let yourself be intimidated: much as they would like you to believe otherwise, no debt collector is immune to the law.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, requires debt collectors to behave professionally when communicating with a consumer about an alleged debt. Hostile and abusive tactics like those below are illegal, and can result in revocation of the agency’s license.

• Cursing and calling you names
• Discussing your debt with uninvolved third parties
• Calling you at inconvenient times and places
• Contacting you at your workplace after being advised that such calls are not permitted
• Threatening action they are not in a position to legally take, such as having you arrested or jailed for nonpayment
• Discussing the debt with anyone except you, your attorney, or your spouse

Company Profile: Sharinn & Lipshie

Sharinn & Lipshie is a debt collection law office located in Uniondale, New York. It was established in 1967, has less than 10 employees, and is managed by Harvey Sharinn, one of the firm partners. The Better Business Bureau has given the firm a D- rating. Records archived at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website indicated that individuals who believed they were being harassed by Sharinn & Lipshie have turned to the courts to protect their rights.

Alleged Violations against Sharinn & Lipshie

Chavi Rosenberg vs. Sharinn & Lipshie*

According to PACER, on or about August 20, 2014, New York resident Chavi Rosenberg was called by Sharinn & Lipshie in an attempt to collect a debt. A collector who identified himself as Archie Arrington allegedly left a message stating:

Name is Archie Arrington, calling from the Attorney’s office of Sharinn & Lipshie, callback number is 516 873-6600, Ext. 178, he can be reached before 5.

Ms. Rosenberg did not know who Mr. Arrington was and had no idea why he was calling, but several equally ambiguous calls allegedly followed throughout August and September.Tired of being called by Sharinn & Lipshie, Ms. Rosenberg hired a consumer attorney and filed a class action lawsuit against the agency for the following alleged FDCPA violations:

• Leaving messages that failed to meaningfully disclose the caller’s identity as a debt collector seeking to collect a debt
• Using deceptive means to collect a debt

The matter was later settled.

Hire an Attorney

The phone numbers for Sharinn & Lipshie are:

• 1-516 873-6600
• 1-855-687-7810

If the phone rings and either number appears on your caller ID, it means that you are being called by Sharinn & Lipshie. If they leave messages that do not identify them as debt collectors seeking to collect a debt, hire a consumer attorney. If you decide to file a claim against Sharinn & Lipshie and win your case, the firm could be compelled pay you $1,000 per violation as well as attorney’s fees, court costs, and any actual damages. Even law offices that do not collect debts in accordance with the law can be penalized.

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is Case 1:15-cv-04706-BMC from the United States District Court for the Eastern 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 Sharinn & Lipshie, Inc. or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.