ClickCease

Detroit Merchant Cash Advance Legal Help – Attorneys, Debt Settlement

Merchant cash advances can seem like easy money for small business owners in Detroit. You get an upfront lump sum of cash quickly, without all the paperwork and restrictions of a traditional bank loan. But those high repayment rates and personal guarantees can come back to bite you. If you feel trapped in an abusive agreement or facing aggressive collection tactics, don’t go it alone. Get experienced legal help taking on merchant cash advance companies.

How Merchant Cash Advances Work

Merchant cash advance (MCA) providers offer business funding based on a percentage of future credit card and debit card sales. Instead of getting a loan, you’re selling a portion of future receivables at a discount. There’s usually no credit check, and you can get funds in your account in as little as 24 hours.But the convenience and speed come at a steep price. MCAs typically charge the equivalent of 60-200% APR in fees and payments. You have to pay back the advance quickly, often in less than a year. Providers can debit a fixed percentage of daily credit card sales – usually 10-20% – until you satisfy the balance. Some also charge various fees on top of the payments.If business slows down or you can’t keep up with debits, watch out. Many MCA agreements have no limits on how long providers can collect payments for. You could end up paying 2-3 times the amount advanced and still owe money.

- -
See also  Seeking Help for a Gambling Problem Before Debt Spirals

Common Legal Issues Facing Detroit Small Businesses

As a small business owner struggling with a burdensome MCA agreement, where do you turn? An experienced Detroit business attorney can help you understand your rights and options. Here are some of the most common legal issues we see:Deceptive sales tactics – Many providers use high-pressure tactics to push expensive advances on owners without explaining the true costs and risks involved. If you were misled about repayment terms or felt forced into accepting funds, the agreement may be voidable.Breach of contract – MCA companies often make verbal promises about flexible or fixed payments. But the final contract terms are very different. Bait-and-switch violations and failure to honor original agreements can provide grounds to invalidate or reform the MCA.Unfair contract terms – Merchant cash advance agreements often contain one-sided, oppressive terms that favor the funder. Confessions of judgement, personal guarantees, and open-ended repayment periods essentially trap the business owner in a never-ending debt cycle. Courts can rule these provisions unenforceable.Abusive collection practices – It’s not uncommon for MCA providers to engage in harassment, threats of violence, derogatory public statements, and other illegal measures when owners fall behind on payments. You have rights against intimidation tactics under federal and state collection laws.Usury violations – Although MCA companies claim they are advancing future sales and not charging interest, their model looks an awful lot like predatory lending. Effective rates often exceed legal limits under Michigan usury laws. This can invalidate the underlying contract.Debt relief options – If you owe multiple cash advances or other business debts you can’t handle, bankruptcy or debt settlement may offer a fresh start. An attorney can help you evaluate the pros and cons of each option.

See also  Debt Consolidation Calculator

Key Defenses Against Merchant Cash Advance Companies

When battling aggressive collection efforts or suing for relief from an abusive MCA agreement, having an experienced legal advocate matters. Here are some of the most powerful defenses Detroit business lawyers use:

Unconscionability

If an agreement contains grossly unfair or one-sided terms that shock the conscience, courts can refuse to enforce it. The merchant cash advance model itself borders on unconscionable. Combined with bait-and-switch sales tactics, extreme rates, personal liability, wage garnishment threats, and more – these contracts meet the definition of an unenforceable agreement.

Usury

Although MCA companies claim they aren’t making loans, courts increasingly find their model is essentially a form of financing. By comparing the amount advanced to total payments extracted, judges can rule the effective interest rate violates usury laws. That makes the underlying contract void and uncollectible.

- -

RICO Violations

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act provides treble damages and attorneys fees for victims of certain criminal schemes. Using RICO, owners can sue MCA providers operating ongoing racketeering enterprises through fraudulent sales pitches, abusive collection tactics, and more.

Breach of Contract

If a merchant cash advance company fails to honor original payment or repayment terms verbally promised, it constitutes breach of contract. Even if the written agreement permits their actions, the two contradictory sets of terms violate good faith and fair dealing responsibilities.

Breach of Fiduciary Duty

Brokers who arrange merchant cash advances have a fiduciary duty to business owners. They must disclose any kickbacks or commissions received from funders. Otherwise, self-dealing and failure to act in the client’s best interests provide grounds to invalidate the agreement.

See also  How Medical Debt Can Impact Your Job Search and Employment

Negotiating Merchant Cash Advance Debt Settlement

If you realize the mistake of agreeing to an MCA too late, sitting back and hoping for the best usually doesn’t end well. Unpaid balances continue growing at an alarming rate. Multiple providers can lay claim to the same credit card receipts. Lawsuits and threats quickly follow.But even in dire situations, experienced attorneys can sometimes negotiate debt relief. Key leverage points we use in merchant cash advance settlement talks include:

  • Appealing to reason – MCA providers would rather take a smaller, immediate payout than chase payments for months or years through litigation. A reasonable settlement offer gives them incentive to close out the account.
  • Disputing the debt – Credible claims of fraud, breach of contract, usury violations or other legal defenses mean the provider may recover nothing if you fight back. Even a small chance of defeat in court ups the motivation to compromise.
  • Payment proposal – Offering a lump-sum discounted payoff amount, signed payment plan, borrowing from friends and family or securing new financing to settle the account makes the bird-in-hand more attractive than waiting on the courts.
  • Threatening bankruptcy – For owners facing multiple debts, warning that you will declare bankruptcy if accounts aren’t settled often brings funders to the table. They want to avoid recovering little to nothing in bankruptcy.

Find Experienced Legal Help Defending Against Merchant Cash Advance Abuse

Unscrupulous merchant cash advance companies count on small business owners lacking the resources to fight back against their bullying tactics. But with an experienced Detroit commercial litigation attorney on your side, the tables can turn quickly. We know how to attack flawed MCA agreements and collection activities on every front.Don’t wait until you are drowning in crippling debt with no way out to seek help. At the first sign of bait-and-switch tactics, harassment, threats, or other abuse by a merchant cash advance provider, contact us for a free case review. We can craft an aggressive strategy to invalidate the agreement, stop collections activity, and recover any damages suffered. With seasoned legal representation, victory against predatory funders is possible.

- -

Get Debt Relief Today

  • By clicking “Submit”, you agree that the phone number and email address you are providing may be used to contact you by Delancey Street (including auto-dialed/auto-selected and prerecorded calls, as well as text/SMS messages).

Delancey Street is here for you

Our team is available always to help you. Regardless of whether you need advice, or just want to run a scenario by us. We take pride in the fact our team loves working with our clients - and truly cares about their financial and mental wellbeing.

"Super fast, and super courteous, Delancey Street is amazing"
Leo
$500,000 MCA Restructured Over 3 Years
"Thanks for helping me in literally 24 hours"
Jason
$250,000 SBA Loan Offer in Compromise
"Great choice for business owners who need a trustworthy partner"
Mary
$350,000 MCA Restructured Over 2 Years

In The Media

Delancey Street CEO discusses ways to reward employees
Delancey Street CEO discusses the benefits of franchising on Forbes.
Delancey Street CEO discusses management on AMEX.
Best Credit Unions for Debt Consolidation

Buried Under Debt? These Credit Unions Can Dig You Out…

Debt Consolidation Services in Oregon

Crushed by Debt in Oregon? Consolidate and Conquer You’re drowning,…

Debt Settlement vs. Debt Consolidation: Pros and Cons

The Brutal Truth About Debt Settlement vs Consolidation Drowning in…

Consolidation of Debt Loans: What to Consider

Consolidation of Debt Loans: What to Consider The Debt Dilemma…

How to File a DBA in Texas Online

Are you ready, to take your business – to new…

Delancey Street simply gets it. You're talking to experts.
Steven Norris
Get Help Today

Ready To Get Started?

If you have questions, feel free to shoot us an email, or fill out our live chat.

Schedule Consultation
Call Now For Consultation