[MD] [ML] I filed a dispute with my credit card company after my lip filler service provider never rescheduled a follow up. Now he’s threatening to sue. What should I do?
Visited a provider on April 26, 2025 for a lip filler service. I did my follow-up on May 2 — we agreed he missed a spot, and he said he’d fix it later. On May 18, I reached out to express dissatisfaction and sent pictures. He called me and said he’d get back to me on May 19 to schedule a time to look at my lips and fix the problem. I never heard from him.
On May 30, I filed a dispute with my credit card company, and after an investigation, I was refunded my money. Now the provider is threatening to get legal counsel against me to obtain the $650 back. What should I do next? I live in Maryland.
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When a credit card company issues a chargeback, it means they found sufficient reason to refund you. The provider can appeal the chargeback through AmEx if he believes the decision was wrong. However, if he wants to sue you directly, he’d have to go through small claims court — and he would have to prove:
- The service was properly provided;
- You acted in bad faith or committed fraud (for example, lying to get your money back).
If he made a guarantee about the results or failed to fix the issue after acknowledging a mistake, he’ll have a hard time convincing a judge he’s owed anything.
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Visited a provider on April 26, 2025 for a lip filler service. I did my follow-up on May 2 — we agreed he missed a spot, and he said he’d fix it later. On May 18, I reached out to express dissatisfaction and sent pictures. He called me and said he’d get back to me on May 19 to schedule a time to look at my lips and fix the problem. I never heard from him.
On May 30, I filed a dispute with my credit card company, and after an investigation, I was refunded my money. Now the provider is threatening to get legal counsel against me to obtain the $650 back. What should I do next? I live in Maryland.
I’m sorry to hear about the situation with your lip filler service. Have you received any formal communication from the provider’s legal counsel yet?
No, I have not.
Have you kept records of all your interactions with the provider, including the pictures and emails you sent expressing dissatisfaction?
Yes — I have pictures and an email sent on May 18. The provider didn’t email me back. He only reached out after I was refunded by American Express.
Is there anything else the lawyer should know before I connect you?
Yes.
Hi there! My name is Liz, and I’ve been an attorney for more than a decade. I’m here to help. To start — did the provider make any guarantees about the results of the service?
Yes, on his social media and website.
Got it. Thank you. Has the provider actually filed anything in court, or just threatened to?
Not yet. Yesterday, he said he’s going to send the debt to collections and seek legal counsel to get the $650 back that AmEx reimbursed me.
When a credit card company issues a chargeback, it means they found sufficient reason to refund you. The provider can appeal the chargeback through AmEx if he believes the decision was wrong. However, if he wants to sue you directly, he’d have to go through small claims court — and he would have to prove:
- The service was properly provided;
- You acted in bad faith or committed fraud (for example, lying to get your money back).
If he made a guarantee about the results or failed to fix the issue after acknowledging a mistake, he’ll have a hard time convincing a judge he’s owed anything.
What about if he sends the debt to collections?
If that happens, you have the right to dispute the debt directly with the credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), collectors must be able to prove the debt is valid. Since the chargeback was approved and the provider failed to remedy the issue, it’s highly unlikely they could validate the debt.
How do I dispute it if he sends it to collections — by filing a suit with the courts?
No, not a lawsuit. You would simply file a dispute with the credit bureaus if it appears on your credit report. They’ll investigate and require the collector to provide proof of the debt. If they can’t, it must be removed.
Okay, thank you. So with his legal counsel pursuit, would that be small claims court here in Maryland?
Yes, exactly. If he pursues it, it would likely be in Maryland small claims court, since the amount is under $5,000. You’d receive notice of the claim and have the opportunity to respond and present your documentation (emails, pictures, AmEx findings, etc.).
Which would come first — the chargeback or the small claims filing?
The chargeback comes first, which has already happened. The next possible step (if he truly wants to continue) would be small claims court.
Okay, so basically I just wait for a response?
That’s correct. Right now, you don’t need to take any action. Just keep all your documentation — the AmEx dispute record, your emails, photos, and any messages from the provider.
If he actually files something, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to defend yourself — and based on what you’ve described, you have a very solid case.
Okay, thank you. Have a good night.
Elizabeth
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