If you’ve been contacted by Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis P.C. about a debt you owe, it’s important to understand what steps you should take. Here’s what to do if you’re contacted by this debt collector, your rights as a consumer, and how a debt relief attorney can help.
Who is Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis P.C.?
Is Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis legitimate?
Yes, Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis is a legitimate law firm with locations in Delaware, New Jersey, and Ohio, and serving customers in Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, and New Jersey. The company was created in 1994 and is led by principal Steve Doughty, Esquire.
Though Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis is a legitimate law firm, it’s still important to proceed with caution in any dealings with any debt collection firm. If you’re contacted by this law firm, be sure to take steps to protect yourself and report any unethical debt collection practices.
Overview of Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis
Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis is a debt collection law firm representing creditor’s rights. It serves its clients by collecting debt from their past-due account holders.
According to the National Creditors Bar Association, the firm’s primary areas of practice are auto loans and credit cards. In other words, when auto loan borrowers and credit card holders have outstanding debt, lenders enlist the help of Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis to collect that debt, usually through legal action.
Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis Reviews and Complaints
Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis has many online complaints from people who have been contacted by this firm for debt collection. To date, 40 people have filed complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) within the past decade, and a dozen just in the past two years.
Common reasons for complaints include:
- Not providing notice of the right to dispute the debt
- Not receiving sufficient written information to verify the debt
- Unethical communication practices
- Threats of negative action
- Attempts to collect debt from the wrong person
Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis also has 17 complaints with the Better Business Bureau within the past three years, seven of which were closed within the past 12 months. Complaints speak to the firm’s aggressive and, at times, complaints of unethical debt collection practices.
Understanding How Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis Operates
Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis is a debt collection firm that works primarily with credit card issuers and auto loan lenders. These lenders enlist the firm’s help to collect its outstanding debts.
When Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis receive a new debt, they may try to collect it directly by calling you or sending you letters. If those attempts are unsuccessful, the firm may take legal action.
In the case of an auto loan, that may mean repossessing your vehicle. And in the case of credit card debt, that could mean suing you for your outstanding debt, including seeking wage garnishments.
Dealing with Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis
What Should I Do If I Receive a Letter or Call from Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis?
If you’re contacted by Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis about a debt you owe, it’s important to understand your rights as a consumer. The first important step is confirming the debt is legitimate. You have the right to request written validation of the debt from Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis. Don’t agree to any payments until you’ve done this.
If you’re contacted by a debt collection such as Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis, you may decide to hire a debt relief attorney for them. If that happens, they can help you verify the debt.
Handling Communications from Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis
It’s important to document your communications with Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis, or any other debt collection agency. Retain all written communication for your records and, in the case of phone communication, always document the day of the conversation, the name of the person you spoke with, and the details of your conversation.
It’s important that you don’t ignore communications from Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis, but also that you don’t make any admissions or agree to payments right away. Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away — in fact, it could make it worse. Failing to respond could lead to a default judgment against you.
Knowing Your Rights With Debt Collectors like Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis
When you’re dealing with a debt collector, it can often feel like you’re at their mercy, but that’s simply not the case. You still have rights as a consumer, and the debt collection firm should be held to certain standards. Here are some of your rights as a consumer:
- Right to written notice: If you’re contacted by Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis about a debt you owe, the firm must send a written validation of the debt within five days of first contact. That notice should include the amount you owe, the creditor’s name, and what to do if you believe this information is incorrect.
- Right to dispute the debt: When you’re contacted by a debt collector, you have the right to dispute the debt. The firm must stop debt collection activities until it can verify the debt.
- Right to privacy: Debt collectors can’t share information about your debt with friends, family, or your employer. While they can contact them about the debt, they can only do so once, and they can’t tell them specifics about your debt.
- Right to the truth: Debt collectors aren’t allowed to lie about your debt. They must be honest about the amount you owe. They must also clearly identify themselves as debt collectors — they can’t pretend to be from the government, for example. They also can’t threaten legal consequences that aren’t real, such as threatening you’ll be arrested if you don’t pay your debt.
- Right to silence the calls: If you want a debt collector to stop contacting you, you have the right to request that. To ask a debt collector to stop contacting you, you should make the request in writing (though you’ll still owe the debt).
- Right to protection from harassment and abuse: Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis doesn’t have the right to harass or abuse you while collecting debts. A debt collector is presumed to be harassing you if they contact you more than seven times within a seven-day period. Other examples of harassing or abusive behavior would be threats or aggressive language.
- Right to specific hours of communication: Under the FDCPADebt collectors are only allowed to contact you between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in your local time. They can’t contact you early in the morning or late at night. And if you’ve given them a list of times that are convenient for you, such as asking them not to contact you during your work hours, they should only contact you within those hours.
- Right to an attorney: You have a right to be represented by an experienced debt help attorney in your communications with your debt collector. Once you notify Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis of your attorney, they must communicate directly with your attorney instead of with you.
The Legal Side of Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis
Common Legal Issues With Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis
Unfortunately, debt collectors like Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis can — and often do — take legal action on unpaid debts. They can sue you for your past-due debts and may ask a court to garnish your wages or take money directly from your bank account to pay your debt.
Many consumers have complained about Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis violating their rights in an effort to collect unpaid debts. While you can be contacted about and sued for your debt, it’s important to understand your rights in the process.
What Happens If You Get Sued by Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis
If you’re sued by Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis about an unpaid debt, it’s important to follow the correct steps to ensure the best outcome.
If you receive a lawsuit from Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis, the first thing you should do is review the complaint thoroughly and make sure you understand what the debt is from and how much you owe.
Next, it’s important to respond to the complaint. The court documents you received likely included a date you need to respond by, either by responding via writing or showing up in court. You’ll usually have to respond within 20 or 30 days depending on how you were served.
If you’re uncomfortable going through the legal process yourself, consider hiring a debt relief attorney to help you. These attorneys are experienced in this area and well-versed in communicating with debt collectors like Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis.
The final step is the actual court process. In many cases, you may be able to negotiate and settle your debt without going to court. Your debt relief attorney can represent you in these negotiations to help you get the best terms. If you can’t reach a settlement, you will have to go to trial, where a judge will issue a judgment about whether you’re required to pay the debt and how much you’re required to pay.
How to Negotiate with Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis
Check to Make Sure Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis Isn’t a Scam
Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis is a legitimate company, not a scam. However, that doesn’t mean the communications you’re receiving are legitimate. First, it’s possible for someone else to contact you, claiming to be Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis collecting a debt. Additionally, it’s possible for Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis to have incorrect information about your debt.
If you receive communications from Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis, first make sure it’s really from the firm. You can compare the contact information you receive to that on their website to make sure they match. You can also contact the company directly — using the information on the website, not the collection letter you received — to ask them to confirm the communication.
Once you’ve confirmed the communication was from Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis, you can ask them to verify the debt to ensure it’s not inaccurate.
Strategies for Negotiating with Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis
As we mentioned, it’s often possible to negotiate and settle a debt with Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis without going to court. This is often best for both parties. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you’re negotiating about your debt:
- Understand what you owe: Review the communications you’ve received from Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis about your debt and compare those to any document you have about your original debt, including the creditor, amount, late fees, and more.
- Work with an attorney: You likely don’t have experience in debt collection negotiations, but attorneys who specialize in debt relief certainly do. A debt relief attorney can help you get the best possible outcome and, as an added bonus, does much of the work for you.
- Evaluate your finances: Ideally, you’ll be able to settle your debt for less than you owe, but it’s important to go in with a number in mind. Take a look at your personal finances to evaluate how much you can afford to pay, either in a lump sum or a monthly payment plan.
- Keep records: Make sure to keep documentation of all communications before, during, and after the negotiation process. Keep a paper copy of all written communications and thorough notes about any phone calls.
- Follow through on the deal: Once you reach an agreement with Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis, it’s important to follow through on your end of the bargain. You should assume that if you don’t follow through on your promises, the firm will pursue legal action and isn’t likely to be open to negotiating again.
How to Protect Against Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis
Steps to Take If You’re Contacted by Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis
Here’s a quick recap of what you should do if you’re contacted by Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis about a debt you owe:
- Confirm the communication is legitimate. Make sure it’s really from Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis.
- Verify the debt: You can ask Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis to provide written verification of the debt, including the original credit and the amount you owe.
- Consult a debt relief attorney: An attorney can help you review the information and choose the best course of action.
- Decide on your next steps: If you’ve been contacted by Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis, you have several options, including paying the debt, negotiating to settle the debt, or going to court. Your debt relief attorney can advise you on each of these options and help you choose the best one.
Filing a Complaint Against Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis
You have rights as a consumer under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. If you believe Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis has violated these rights, you can file a complaint against them. Here are three places to consider submitting complaints:
- Federal Trade Commission: The FTC protects consumers against all kinds of unethical and fraudulent activities. You should report all unfair, unethical, or abusive debt collection actions to the FTC.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: The CFPB protects consumers from unfair practices within the financial services industry. It maintains a complaint database and communications with companies about complaints of abusive practices.
- Your state’s attorney general: Most states have laws that protect consumers from unethical practices, including related to debt collection.
Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis phone number and address
You can contact Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis in several different ways. First, you can contact one of its three law offices in Wilmington, Delaware, Marlton, NJ, or Dublin, OH. Here’s the contact information for each of those offices:
| Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis, P.A.15 Ashley PlaceSuite 2BWilmington, DE 19804 | Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis, P.C.5 Greentree Centre525 Rt. 73 North, Suite 400Marlton, NJ 08053 | Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis, P.C.495 Metro Place SouthSuite 360Dublin, OH 43017 |
Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis also has a contact form on its website.
How Can a Debt Settlement Attorney Help?
If you’ve been contacted or sued by Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis, you don’t have to go it alone. You can consult a debt settlement attorney to help you through the process. An attorney can review your debt with Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis, advise on the best next steps, and represent you through the negotiation or court process.
Tayne Law Group, P.C. is an award winning consumer and business debt relief law firm that represents debtors with debts being handled by Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis. We offer free phone consultations with one of our experienced debt relief attorneys to discuss the best options to resolve your debt. Contact our offices at (866) 890-7337 or fill out our short contact form. We never share or sell your information, and all conversations are confidential.
