[MD] How do I handle legal threats from a vendor?
He called me and stated he would call me back on May 19 to schedule a time to come to the office to look at my lips and fix the problem. I never heard from him. On May 30, I filed a dispute with my credit card company, which, after an investigation, gave me my money back.
Now the provider is threatening legal action against me to obtain the $650. What should I do next? I live in Maryland
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Thank you for clarifying that. He seems to be rather aggressive.
However, with a chargeback, he would have to show that you engaged in some fraud in order to reclaim any money.
If he had a guarantee, and then did not meet that, he would have a hard time filing suit or finding any attorney that would help him pursue it.
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On April 26, 2025, I visited a provider of lip filler service. I did my follow-up on May 2, we agreed he missed a spot and agreed he would fix it later. On May 18, I reached out to the provider to express dissatisfaction and sent pictures.
He called me and stated he would call me back on May 19 to schedule a time to come to the office to look at my lips and fix the problem. I never heard from him. On May 30, I filed a dispute with my credit card company, which, after an investigation, gave me my money back.
Now the provider is threatening legal action against me to obtain the $650. What should I do next? I live in Maryland
I'm sorry to hear about the situation with your lip filler service. Have you received any formal communication from the provider's legal counsel yet?
No, I have not.
Have you kept records of all your interactions with the provider, including any agreements made and the pictures you sent to express dissatisfaction?
Yes, I have pictures and sent an email on May 18 expressing my dissatisfaction. The provider next emailed me back after that. He only reached out after I was refunded my money from American Express.
Is there anything else the lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they'll be able to help with your situation.
No.
Hi there! My name is Liz and I’ve been an attorney for more than a decade, and I am here to assist with your legal concerns.
So I can best help, did the provider give any guarantees as to the outcome of the service?
On his social media and online, yes.
Has the provider filed anything in court or just sent a letter?
Not yet. Yesterday he said he’s going to send the debt to collections and will take legal action to get the $650 back that Amex reimbursed me.
Thank you for clarifying that. He seems to be rather aggressive.
However, with a chargeback, he would have to show that you engaged in some fraud in order to reclaim any money.
If he had a guarantee, and then did not meet that, he would have a hard time filing suit or finding any attorney that would help him pursue it.
So what about sending a debt to collections?
If that were to occur, you could dispute any debts with the credit bureaus.
You also would have the right to consider filing suit if they continue, since the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act requires it to be a genuine debt that the company can validate.
How can I dispute if he sends the debt to collections?
File a suit with the courts?
If it shows on your credit you could file with the credit bureaus like Experian to dispute directly.
Or do I file a suit with the bureau if that were to happen?
You would dispute it with the credit bureau, that's correct.
So with his legal counsel pursuit would that be small claims court request with the state of Md where we live?
Or does the charge back request happen first with the provider then small claims in court ?
If he tried to file it would be small claims, you would also get to file a response.
Yes I’m aware I was asking which one would come first, the chargeback request?
Apologies yes, the request comes first, then small claims.
Ok. So basically, I have to wait for a response.
That's correct.
Ok thank you. Have a good night
You too!
