Sued by Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services in Maryland? Here's What to Do Next
Maryland RESPONSE DEADLINE
30 Days
from the date you were served
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
3 Years
for typical Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services debts in MD
WAGE GARNISHMENT
Allowed — up to 25%
What Maryland consumers say about Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services
In the last 24 months, 45 Maryland residents filed CFPB complaints naming Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services . 77% of these complaints involve debt collection; 20% involve credit reporting or other personal consumer reports.
Most common complaint categories:
- 17 Attempts to collect debt not owed
- 6 Incorrect information on your report
- 6 Written notification about debt
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database , 24-month rolling window through May 2026.
About Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services
Cavalry SPV I LLC and Cavalry Portfolio Services are debt buying entities that purchase and collect on defaulted consumer debts. Cavalry has been involved in numerous consumer complaints and lawsuits alleging violations of the FDCPA. They are known for purchasing large portfolios of credit card debt and aggressively pursuing collection, including filing lawsuits in bulk across multiple states. Cavalry has faced regulatory scrutiny for their documentation practices and collection tactics.
Type: Debt Buyer. Common debt types: credit card, personal loan, retail credit.
CFPB Enforcement History
Cavalry SPV and Cavalry Portfolio Services have not been the subject of a major CFPB enforcement action. Cavalry is a smaller debt buyer than LVNV or Midland and its overall complaint volume is correspondingly lower. The same legal framework — the FDCPA, the FCRA, and state collection laws — still applies, and consumers retain the right to demand proof of ownership, dispute the amount, and raise the statute of limitations as a defense.
Maryland-Specific Defenses Against Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services
Statute of Limitations Defense
In Maryland, the statute of limitations for credit card debt is 3 years. If your last payment was more than 3 years ago, the debt is time-barred. Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services has been the subject of CFPB findings related to suing on time-barred debts — check your dates carefully and raise the SOL defense in your Answer.
Lack of Standing / Chain of Title
As a debt buyer, Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services must prove they actually purchased your specific account. Demand the complete chain of title — the purchase agreement, bill of sale, and assignment documents. In Maryland courts, failing to produce this documentation can result in dismissal.
Challenge the Amount
Demand a complete accounting from the original creditor's last statement through the current claimed balance. Any unauthorized fees, post-charge-off interest, or collection costs not in the original agreement should be disputed line by line.
Maryland Wage Garnishment Exemptions
Greater of 75% of disposable wages or 30x federal minimum wage exempt. Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's, and Worcester counties: $145/week minimum exempt.
Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act / Maryland Consumer Protection Act
In addition to the federal FDCPA, Maryland's Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act / Maryland Consumer Protection Act may provide additional protections and remedies against Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services's collection practices.
Maryland Court System
District court handles cases up to $30,000. Circuit court for larger amounts. Filing fees in Maryland typically range $35-$300.
Common FDCPA Violations by Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services
- Filing lawsuits without proper documentation or chain of title
- Suing on debts past the statute of limitations
- Using robo-signed affidavits from employees without personal knowledge of account details
- Misrepresenting the amount owed by adding unauthorized fees
- Failing to respond to debt validation requests within statutory timeframes
Statute of Limitations in Maryland
| Debt Type | SOL (Years) |
|---|---|
| Credit Card | 3 |
| Medical | 3 |
| Auto | 3 |
| Personal Loan | 3 |
| Written Contract | 3 |
| Oral Contract | 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Cavalry SPV?
Cavalry SPV I LLC is a debt buying company that purchases defaulted consumer debts. Cavalry Portfolio Services is its affiliated collection entity. They buy debts from banks and credit card issuers and attempt to collect the full balance.
Is Cavalry SPV a legitimate company?
Cavalry SPV is a real company, but being legitimate does not mean they always follow the law. They have faced numerous FDCPA lawsuits and complaints for improper collection practices, including suing without proper documentation.
How do I fight a Cavalry SPV lawsuit?
File your Answer before the deadline, deny allegations you dispute, demand proof they own the debt, and raise any applicable defenses such as statute of limitations. Many Cavalry lawsuits can be defeated by challenging their documentation.
What if Cavalry SPV has the wrong amount?
Cavalry frequently inflates debt amounts with unauthorized fees and interest. In your Answer, dispute the amount owed and demand an accounting showing every charge from the original creditor through the current balance.
How long to respond in Maryland?
30 days from service.
What is the SOL in Maryland?
3 years for all contract types. This is one of the shortest in the country.
Does Maryland have its own collection law?
Yes. The Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act provides additional protections beyond the federal FDCPA.
Can wages be garnished?
Yes. 25% of disposable earnings, with minimum weekly exemptions varying by county.
Was the collector suing me licensed in Maryland?
This is the first question to ask in any Maryland debt-buyer suit. Under the Maryland Collection Agency Licensing Act (Md. Bus. Reg. § 7-101 et seq.), any collection agency or debt buyer collecting Maryland consumer debt must be licensed by the State Collection Agency Licensing Board. The Maryland Court of Appeals held in Finch v. LVNV Funding (2016) that judgments obtained by unlicensed debt buyers are void and unenforceable. After Finch, thousands of LVNV judgments were vacated. You can check whether a collector is licensed by searching the Department of Labor's licensing database at the Maryland State Collection Agency Licensing Board page. If the collector who sued you was unlicensed at the time, you may be able to vacate any judgment, get any garnished wages back, and pursue MCDCA claims for actual damages, attorney's fees, and punitive damages. Maryland consumer attorneys routinely litigate licensing-based defenses, and the fee-shifting in the MCDCA means representation often costs nothing out of pocket.
What is the statute of limitations on credit-card debt in Maryland?
Maryland has a 3-year statute of limitations on most contract and credit-card debt under Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101. That is shorter than many states. The clock runs from the date of breach - typically the date of last payment or charge-off. Maryland is a strict state on this: the SOL is a complete defense if pleaded properly, and Maryland Rule 3-308 makes it an affirmative defense that must be raised in your answer. Maryland law (Md. Comm. Law § 14-202(11)) also explicitly prohibits collectors from filing suit on time-barred debt, threatening to file, or attempting to collect through the courts after the SOL has run. That makes Maryland one of the few states where suing on a time-barred debt is itself a per-se statutory violation by the collector. If a collector sues you after the 3-year clock has expired, you may have both a defense to the suit and a counterclaim worth statutory damages and attorney's fees. Do not pay or even acknowledge old Maryland debt without first checking the SOL.
Can a collector garnish my wages in Maryland?
Yes, but only after suing you and obtaining a judgment, and then only up to limits set by Md. Comm. Law § 15-601.1. Maryland caps wage garnishment at the lesser of (a) 25% of your disposable income or (b) the amount your disposable income exceeds 30 times the federal minimum wage, with somewhat stronger protections in certain counties. Maryland also protects more income types than federal law: Social Security, SSI, VA benefits, unemployment, workers' comp, child support received, and most public assistance cannot be garnished for ordinary consumer debt. To stop or reduce an active wage garnishment, you can file a motion in the court that issued the order claiming exemption, asserting hardship, or contesting the underlying judgment - particularly if the original debt buyer was unlicensed (see Finch v. LVNV). Maryland Legal Aid and many consumer attorneys take these cases on a fee-shifting basis, so representation may cost nothing if you have a viable defense.
What protections does the MCDCA add beyond federal FDCPA?
The Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act is broader than the federal FDCPA in several important ways. First, it applies to both third-party collectors and original creditors, whereas federal FDCPA mostly exempts original creditors. Second, it specifically prohibits collectors from claiming a right to enforce a debt with knowledge they have no such right - which is the basis for many Finch-style licensing claims. Third, it explicitly prohibits collectors from suing or threatening to sue on time-barred debt. Fourth, MCDCA violations can support claims under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act (Md. Comm. Law § 13-101), which authorizes treble damages and attorney's fees. Combined federal-FDCPA and MCDCA claims often produce larger recoveries than federal law alone. Maryland courts have also been generally receptive to consumer claims. Common MCDCA violations include collecting without a license, suing on time-barred debt, misrepresenting amounts owed, harassing communication, and contacting consumers after a cease-and-desist letter.
How do I respond to a Maryland District Court collection lawsuit?
You generally have 30 days from service to file a written Notice of Intention to Defend with the District Court. Never ignore the summons - that leads to a default judgment, which becomes the basis for wage garnishment and bank seizures. In your answer, raise every available affirmative defense: statute of limitations (3 years for most contract debt), lack of standing (the debt buyer must prove a complete chain of title from original creditor to itself), unlicensed collection activity under the Collection Agency Licensing Act, failure to validate under FDCPA § 1692g, and any improper service or venue. Maryland courts require debt buyers to produce actual proof of assignment, not just a generic affidavit - missing or incomplete documentation is a common reason for dismissal. Maryland Legal Aid (1-866-MD-LAW-HELP) provides free or low-cost help for income-eligible consumers, and many private consumer attorneys take these cases on contingency or with fee-shifting. Counter-suing under MCDCA and FDCPA can transform the case from "how do I avoid paying" into "the collector pays me."
Sued by Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services in Another State?
Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services files cases nationwide. Select your state for the response deadline, statute of limitations, and state-specific defenses.
Sued by a Different Collector in Maryland?
The 30-day Maryland response deadline applies no matter who sued you. Pick the creditor on your summons for creditor-specific defenses.
This page summarizes public information from the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database, CFPB enforcement records, and Maryland state law. It is not legal advice. Statutes and court rules change — consult a licensed attorney in Maryland for guidance on your specific case.
Get Your Free Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services Case Review in Maryland
Our attorney will review your Cavalry SPV / Cavalry Portfolio Services lawsuit and explain your options in Maryland. Free consultation.
Attorney-negotiated settlements available now. Act fast - creditors are calling.