Both ConsumerShield and LegalMatch connect you with attorneys. But the business model matters - it affects who they serve and how well.
How LegalMatch Works
LegalMatch is a lead generation company. Here's their model:
- You submit your legal issue
- They sell your info to multiple attorneys ($200-400 per lead)
- Those attorneys call you trying to win your business
- Attorneys who pay the most get priority
The problem? Attorneys are paying for leads, so they need to make that money back. They're incentivized to take cases that pay well, not necessarily cases they can win.
How ConsumerShield Works
We do things differently:
- You use our free violation checker to see if you have a case
- We pre-qualify your case (is it worth pursuing?)
- We match you with ONE attorney who specializes in your violation type
- The attorney works on contingency - you pay $0
| Feature | ConsumerShield | LegalMatch |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | FDCPA/TCPA/FCRA specialists | All legal areas |
| Pre-qualification | Yes - violation checker | No - just lead form |
| How many attorneys contact you | 1 (matched to your case) | Multiple (whoever paid) |
| Cost model | Fee-shifting (free to you) | Varies by attorney |
| Attorney incentive | Win your case | Recoup lead cost |
The Lead Quality Problem
LegalMatch attorneys complain constantly about lead quality. They're paying $200+ for leads that often aren't viable cases.
We solve this by pre-qualifying cases before an attorney ever sees them. Our violation checker asks the questions that matter:
- Is this actually a debt collector (not the original creditor)?
- Did the violation happen within the statute of limitations?
- What specific violations occurred?
- Is there documentation?
Attorneys in our network get better cases. Consumers get attorneys who actually want to help.
Why Specialization Matters
LegalMatch covers everything: divorce, DUI, personal injury, immigration, criminal defense, and yes, consumer law.
The attorney who contacts you might take consumer cases sometimes, or they might be desperate for any case.
ConsumerShield attorneys ONLY do consumer protection. They know the FDCPA inside and out. They've sued Midland Credit, Portfolio Recovery, and every major collector. They know what violations are worth and how to maximize your settlement.
The Bottom Line
LegalMatch is like a job board for lawyers - they'll sell your lead to whoever pays.
ConsumerShield is like having a friend who knows the best debt collection attorney in your state - and that attorney works for free.
Think You Have a Case?
Our free violation checker identifies FDCPA, TCPA, and FCRA violations in under 2 minutes.
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