Florida Consumer Protection Lawyer
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Credit bureau won't fix it? Collector won't stop? Servicer won't answer?
Newhart Legal, P.A. represents Florida consumers against credit bureaus, debt collectors, mortgage servicers, banks, and card companies that break the law.
What a consumer sends first, and where it goes, can decide whether the law's protections apply. We review credit disputes, servicer letters, and responses to collectors before they go out.
Free case reviews by phone or online.
Free consultation · Consumers across Florida · Federal and state court
Practice areas
What we handle
Federal and Florida law give consumers the right to sue over each of these.
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Credit report errors
Wrong accounts, mixed files, identity theft, and disputes the bureaus ignore.
More on credit report errors -
Debt collector harassment
Repeated calls, calls to work, threats, and debts that aren't owed.
More on debt collector harassment -
Mortgage servicer errors
Misapplied payments, force-placed insurance, escrow mistakes, and unanswered letters.
More on mortgage servicer errors -
Unauthorized charges
Card charges and bank transfers the consumer didn't make or approve.
More on unauthorized charges
How it works
How a case works
Every case starts with a free review. Each step after that depends on what the papers show.
Free case review
You tell us what happened, by phone or online. There is no cost to talk.
We review the papers
Credit reports, letters, notices, and statements show whether a company broke the law and which deadlines apply.
Notice to the company
Where the law calls for notice first, we send the dispute, notice of error, or demand to the right address.
Lawsuit
When the facts support a claim, we file suit in federal or state court. Most of these laws make the company pay the consumer's attorney's fees when the consumer wins.
About the firm
Darren Newhart
Darren Newhart has practiced consumer law since he was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2015. He has litigated hundreds of individual consumer cases in federal and state court, along with class actions under the Truth in Lending Act, the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act, and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
He was counsel in Walters v. Fast AC, LLC, 60 F.4th 642 (11th Cir. 2023), a published decision on Article III standing under the Truth in Lending Act. He is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates.
What clients say
“Newhart Legal represented me in a dispute with an apartment complex wrongfully trying to enforce an unsigned lease. I am extremely happy with Mr Newhart's guidance and consul as we worked thru a difficult process. It was a great relief when we finally closed the case in our favor, and Newhart Legal and Darren specifically made a stressful situation as painless as possible. Would highly recommend this firm.”
Turk 22, Google review, June 2025
“With Darren you are in good hands. Highly recommended!”
Spencer Bouhadir, Google review, April 2025
“Attorney Newhart was easy to communicate with, professional and super helpful in successfully bringing my case to resolution. I would definitely recommend.”
Andy B, Google review, August 2024
“With your firm's help and guidance we had a fantastic outcome of our claim. Thank you for a job well done.”
Gerda Mueller-Sheehan, Google review, September 2022
Client reviews describe each client's own experience. You may not obtain the same or similar results.
Questions people ask first
Does it cost anything to talk to you?
No. Every conversation with us is free.
Who pays my lawyer if I win?
If you win, these laws let the court make the company that broke the law pay your attorney's fees and costs: the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Truth in Lending Act, and the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act. Fee awards depend on the law, the claim, and the court. We can explain how fees and costs would work in a particular case.
Can I dispute my credit report myself?
Yes. Anyone can. How a dispute is written, and where it goes, decides what the bureau has to do and whether a lawsuit is possible later. We review disputes before they're sent.
A collector is calling about a debt I don't owe. What does the law say?
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Florida's Consumer Collection Practices Act bar collectors from misrepresenting a debt, collecting amounts not owed, and harassing consumers with calls. Records of who called, when, and what was said are the core evidence in these cases.
How long do I have to bring a claim?
It depends on the law. Some claims must be filed within one year. Others allow two, three, or five years. An early review helps keep a deadline from deciding the case.
Do you handle foreclosures?
No. We don't defend foreclosures. We do sue servicers that mishandle payments, escrow, insurance, fees, and error notices.
Every conversation with us is free.
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