debt collection

A debt collector obtained a default judgment against Sharae Banks through fraud, falsely claiming that it had properly notified her when it sued her years earlier. A lower court then barred Ms. Banks from challenging the default judgment, upholding the debt collector’s blatant violations of her basic due process rights. New Economy Project has filed an appeal, joined by co-counsel and amicus NYS Attorney General Letitia James, to reverse the ruling.

A federal court granted preliminary approval of a settlement in a class action lawsuit charging the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA), an arm of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), with aggressively going after thousands of New Yorkers for alleged debts in violation of their constitutional due process rights.

“Thanks to this important legislation, debt collectors are now prohibited from siphoning New Yorkers’ COVID-19 stimulus payments. The new law ensures that federal relief funds actually provide relief to New Yorkers, not windfalls for the debt collection industry. New Economy Project is proud to have worked on this crucial bill with ally organizations, as we continue the fight for racial and economic justice and a just recovery for all New Yorkers.”

The NYS Legislature has just passed a critical bill that prohibits debt collectors from taking New Yorkers’ stimulus payments. The bill will ensure that relief funds actually provide relief—not windfalls for the debt collection industry.  Take Action! Urge Governor Cuomo to sign this bill into law, to protect New Yorkers from financial predation and ensure a just recovery. Call […]

The pandemic has placed the MTA at the center of the news, but its violations of New Yorkers’ civil rights have gone on for years. Through our NYC Financial Justice Hotline, New Economy Project has helped dozens of New Yorkers presenting the same disturbing facts: Without any notice, MTA took their tax refunds to pay old, alleged tickets they didn’t recognize.