Dear Tara: Any consumer who has been harmed by the illegal actions of a debt collector can sue a debt collector. If you are considering such a lawsuit you can represent yourself, but it's best to work with a consumer law attorney who has experience handling your kind of case. The attorney can advise you about its merits and tell you whether you should sue using the FDCPA or the New York State Debt Collection Procedures Law.
Assuming you have a strong case, the attorney will probably agree to represent you on a contingent fee basis, which means that you will not have to pay him an up-front fee. Instead, the attorney will take a percentage of any money the court orders the debt collector to pay to you, assuming you win your lawsuit. Win or lose however, you'll have to pay your attorney's expenses.