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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-6197Our File No.: 220567 APOTHAKER & ASSOCIATES, P.C. BY: David J. Apothaker, Esquire, Esq. Attorney I.D.#38423 520 Fellowship Road C306 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 (800) 672-0215 Attorneys for Plaintiff ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC c/o Apothaker & Associates, P.C. 520 Fellowship Road C306 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Plaintiff, VS. JODI A WITMER 611 MALLARD RD APT 6B CAMP HILL, PA 17011-1217 Defendant. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CUMBERLAND COUNTY NO.: Dq- b(47 (-'CTIRI NOTTCF You have been sued in court. If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in the folp you must take action within twenty (20) days after this complaint and notice are served, by ento appearance personally or by attorney and filing in writing with the court your defenses or obj? claims set forth against you. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed withM judgment may be entered against you by the court without further notice for any money cl complaint or for any other claim or relief requested by the plaintiff. You may lose money or prod rights important to you. YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NI LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORT14 FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER, THIS OFFICE MAY BE ABLE T YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT AGENCIES THAT MAY OFFER LEGAL SERVICES 'P, PERSONS AT A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE. CUMBERLAND COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION 2 LIBERTY AVENUE CARLISLE, PA 17013 717-249-3166 mg pages, a written ins to the you and a ied in the v or other T HAVE A SELOW TO PROVIDE ELIGIBLE Our File No.: 220567 APOTHAKER & ASSOCIATES, P.C. BY: David J. Acpothaker, Esquire, Esq. Attorney I.D.#38423 520 Fellowship Road C306 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 (800) 672-0215 Attorneys for Plaintiff ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC c/o Apothaker & Associates, P.C. 520 Fellowship Road C306 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Plaintiff, vs. JODI A WITMER 611 MALLARD RD APT 6B CAMP HILL, PA 17011-1217 Defendant. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CUMBERLAND COUNTY CIVIL ACTION COMPLAINT FIRST COUNT 1. Plaintiff is ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC c/o Apothaker & Associates, I .(., 520 Fellowship Road C306, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054. 2. Defendant(s) is/are JODI A WITMER, an adult individual residing at 611 MALLARD RD APT 6B CAMP HILL, PA 17011-1217. 3. Plaintiff, ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC, is the Assignee and Successors n Interest of Account #4361451900445271; and said account was issued to Defendant(s) by WASHINGT(T MUTUAL BANK, the Original creditor. 4. Defendant received, accepted and used the account to its benefit. 5. This account is in default and Defendant(s) has an unpaid balance of $6,021.76. A true and correct copy of the total due and owing is attached hereto, made a part hereof and marked as Exhibit "A". 6. All credits, if any, to which Defendant(s) is entitled, have been applied to the acfount and are included in Exhibit "A". i 7. Although demand has been made, Defendant(s) has failed to make payment of the amount due as above. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment in favor of Plaintiff and against Defendant(s) f6r the sum of $6,021.76 and requests this Court award costs to the extent permitted by applicable law. APOTHAKER & AS IATES, P.C. Attorney f r Pl tiff A Law Firm Enl d in lebt Collection BY: David J. ApoV4k'e'r, Esquire Dated: 9/9/2009 Our File No.: 220567 VERIFICATION David J. Apothaker, Esquire hereby states that I am counsel for plaintiff in this action, and that I am authorized to take this Verification, and that the statements made in the foregoing Civil Action Complaint are true] and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief. The undersigned understands that the statements therein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S.A. 4904 rel ng t unworn falsification to authorities. David Apothaker, Esquire Attor'hqy for Plaintiff DATE: 9/9/2009 JODI A WITMER 611 MALLARD RD APT 6B CAMP HILL, PA 17011-1217 ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT Debtor's Name: JODI A WITMER Account Number: 4361451900445271 Original Creditor: WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK Balance Due: $6,021.76 Our File No.: 220567 EXHIBIT "A" 0 OF TNT PP. TARY 2004 SEP 1 l4 Pty 1: 4 9 ?L1?a 1 <y' Ul?+? i I M* awsgI Sheriffs Office of Cumberland County R Thomas Kline Sheri Ronny R Anderson 4,01Lr ?t u+rr6rCt ?? t?c T} Chief Deputy t ZC?g _ -[ s. Yl . ] Pjt 21 6 Jody S Smith' _T Civil Process Sergeant 0MCP .;,F T'?E ?ERIFr r'' !n J ??fa7?rEdward L Schorpp Solicitor Arrow Financial Services LLC vs. Case Number Jodi A. Witmer 2009-6197 SHERIFF'S RETURN OF SERVICE 09/15/2009 08:44 PM - William Cline, Deputy Sheriff, who being duly sworn according to law, states that on September 15, 2009 at 2044 hours, he served a true copy of the within Complaint and Notice, upon the within named defendant, to wit: Jodi A. Witmer, by making known unto herself personally, at 611 Mallard Road Apt. 6B Camp Hill, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17011 its contents and at the same time handing to her personally the said true and correct copy of the same. SHERIFF COST: $41.50 SO ANSWERS, September 16, 2009 R THOMAS KLINE, SHERIFF U By ty Sheriff Joseph K. Goldberg, Esquire 2080 Linglestown Road, Suite 106 Harrisburg, PA 17110 (717) 703-3600 igoldberg@ssbc-law.com PA ID #46782 IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC, Plaintiff CIVIL TERM LAW V. JODI A. WITMER, Defendant NO. 09-6197 JURY TRIAL DEMANDED NOTICE TO PLEAD TO: ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC c% David J. Apothaker, Esquire You are hereby notified to file a written response to the enclosed Preliminary Objections within twenty (20) days from service hereof or a judgment may be entered against you. Jos9p4h K. Gold quire Att6 rney for D en Joseph K. Goldberg, Esquire 2080 Linglestown Road, Suite 106 Harrisburg, PA 17110 (717) 703-3600 jgoldberg@ssbc-law.com PA ID #46782 IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC, Plaintiff CIVIL TERM (LAW) V. NO. 09-6197 JODI A. WITMER, JURY TRIAL DEMANDED Defendant PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS TO COMPLAINT AND NOW COMES the Defendant, Jodi A. Witmer, who files her Preliminary Objections to the Plaintiffs Complaint, as follows: 1. Plaintiff filed suit against Defendant alleging that Defendant owes money to Plaintiff arising out of an account issued by a predecessor of the Plaintiff. Comp. 13. 2. The Defendant was served with the Complaint on September 15, 2009. First Preliminary Objection - Pa. R.C.P. No. 1028(a)(2) - Failure to conform to rule of court (improper Verification) 3. Pa. R.C.P. No. 1024 requires that every Complaint be verified by a party, unless the party is without sufficient knowledge or information with which to verify, or, alternatively, that the party is outside the jurisdiction of the court and its verification cannot be obtained within the time allowed for pleading. Pa. R.C.P. No. 1024(c)(1) and (2). 4. The Complaint is verified by counsel of record for the Plaintiff, and not an employee or other agent of the Plaintiff. 5. The Verification does not state that the party was unable to sign it "within the time allowed for pleading," nor the reason why the Verification is not made by a party, as required by Pa. R.C.P. No. 1024(c). Second Preliminary Objection - Pa. R.C.P. No. 1028(a)(2) - Failure to conform to rule of court (failure to attach written assignments of debt) 6. The Plaintiff is not the original creditor, but rather an assignee of at least one predecessor. Comp. 13. Since the Plaintiffs right to maintain an action as an assignor is predicated upon a written assignment, that writing must be attached to the Complaint, pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. No. 1019(i). 7. By failing to attach a copy of the assignment of the debt to the Plaintiff, the Complaint does not comply with an express rule of court, in violation of Pa. R.C.P. No. 1028(a)(2). Third Preliminary Objection - Pa. R.C.P. No. 1028(a)(2), (3) - Failure to conform to rule of court, as Plaintiff is not the real party in interest 8. Pa. R.C.P. 2002(a) requires that an action be brought by the real party in interest. 9. By failing to attach a copy of the necessary writing by which the Plaintiff would become the assignee of the account - and this the real party in interest - the Plaintiff has failed to conform with the requirements of the aforesaid rule. 10. Since this matter was not brought by the real party in interest, it must be dismissed. Fourth Preliminary Objection - Pa. R.C.P. No. 1028(a)(2), (3) - Failure to conform to rule of court, and insufficient specificity 11. The Complaint contains only a bald assertion of the amount the Plaintiff 2 claims is owed by the Defendant. It provides no detail as to the date(s) on which the debts were incurred, the amounts incurred on each date, the dates or amounts of payments, nor dates of accrual and amounts of interest charges and other fees. 12. Pa. R.C.P. No. 1019 and Pa. R.C.P. 1028(a)(3) require that the above detail be included in a Complaint of this type. 13. By not including the requisite detail of the account, the Complaint fails to conform to an express rule of Court. Fifth Preliminary Objection - Pa. R.C.P. No. 1028(a)(2) - Failure to conform to rule of court (failure to state whether agreement is oral or written, state its terms, and/or attach written contract upon which the claim is based) 14. The Complaint alleges the existence of some type of contract between the parties, referred to as the "account." 15. Pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. No. 1019(h), where a claim asserted is based upon an agreement, the pleading must state whether the agreement is oral or written. 16. The Complaint does not state whether the agreement is oral or written. 17. Pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. No. 1019(i), if the agreement is written, it must be attached to the pleading or, if not, the pleader must explain its absence and set forth the substance of the agreement. 18. The Plaintiff has failed to describe the terms of the agreement, nor has it attached a copy of a written agreement or explained its absence. 3 WHEREFORE, the Defendant demands that her Preliminary Objections be sustained, and the Plaintiff's Complaint be dismissed. Respectfully submitted, oldb rg, Esquire :A'0 ney ID No 6782 Linglest n Road, Suite 106 Harrisburg, 17110 (717)703-3600 Attorney for Defendant 4 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I, the undersigned, hereby certify that on theZlay of , 2009, 1 served a copy of the foregoing Preliminary Objections to Complaint, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, upon the following: David J. Apothaker, Esquire Apothaker & Associates, P.C. 520 Fellowship Road, C306 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Attorney for Plaintiff FILED OF THC 2109 SE P 28 FiI, 12: PRAECIPE FOR LISTING CASE FOR ARGUMENT (Must be typewritten and submitted in triplicate) TO THE PROTHONOTARY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY: (List the within matter for the next Argument Court.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CAPTION OF CASE (entire caption must be stated in full) Arrow Financial Services, LLC vs. Jodi A. Witmer No. 09-6197 Civil Term 1. State matter to be argued (i.e., plaintiffs motion for new trial, defendant's demurrer to complaint, etc.): 04 6 WA1Aaky 011k 70 aAj44h7 2. Identify all counsel who will argue cases: (a) for plaintiffs: David J. Apothaker, Esq., 520 Fellowship Road, C306 (Name and Address) Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 (b) for defendants: Joseph K. Goldberg, Esq., 2080 Linglestown Road (Name and Address) Harrisburg, PA 17110 3. 1 will notify all parties in writing within two days that this case has been listed for argument. 4. Argument Court Date: November 25, 2009 Defendant October 19, 2009 Attorney for Date: INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Two copies of all briefs must be filed with the COURT ADMINISTRATOR (not the Prothonotary) before argument. 2. The moving party shall file and serve their brief 12 days prior to argument. 3. The responding party shall file their brief 5 days prior to argument. 4. If argument is continued new briefs must be filed with the COURT ADMINISTRATOR (not the Prothonotary) after the case is rellsted. .0- CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I, the undersigned, hereby certify that on the 84day of ?cc 1y" 2009, 1 served a copy of the foregoing Praecipe for Listing Case for Argument, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, upon the following: David J. Apothaker, Esquire Apothaker & Associates, P.C. 520 Fellowship Road, C306 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Attorney for Plaintiff CA /AC ^?c FP,?)Tl T,- A l ITARY 2009 OCT 20 FIN 1: 5 CM :. j 1} { 7 M Our File No.: 220567 APOTHAKER & ASSOCIATES, P.C. By: Kimberly F. Scian, Esquire Attorney I.D. #55140 520 Fellowship Road C306 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 (800) 672-0215 Attorneys for Plaintiff ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC c/o Apothaker & Associates, P.C. 520 Fellowship Road C306 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CUMBERLAND COUNTY NO.: 09-6197 Plaintiff, VS. JODI A WITMER 611 MALLARD RD APT 6B CAMP HILL, PA 17011-1217 Defendant. Civil Action NOTICE You have been sued in court. If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in the following pages, you must take action within twenty (20) days after this complaint and notice are served, by entering a written appearance personally or by attorney and filing in writing with the court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you by the court without further notice for any money claimed in the complaint or for any other claim or relief requested by the plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights important to you. YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER, THIS OFFICE MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT AGENCIES THAT MAY OFFER LEGAL SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS AT A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE. CUMBERLAND COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION 2 LIBERTY AVENUE CARLISLE, PA 17013 717-249-3166 Our File No.: 220567 APOTHAKER & ASSOCIATES, P.C. By: Kimberly F. Scian, Esquire Attorney I.D. #55140 520 Fellowship Road C306 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 (800) 672-0215 Attorneys for Plaintiff ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC c/o Apothaker & Associates, P.C. 520 Fellowship Road C306 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Plaintiff, VS. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CUMBERLAND COUNTY NO.: 09-6197 Civil Action JODI A WITMER 611 MALLARD RD APT 6B CAMP HILL, PA 17011-1217 Defendant. AMENDED COMPLAINT FIRST COUNT 1. Plaintiff is ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC c/o Apothaker & Associates, P.C., 520 Fellowship Road C306, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054. 2. Defendant is JODI A WITMER, an adult individual residing at 611 MALLARD RD APT 6E CAMP HILL, PA 17011-1217. 3. Defendant applied for and received a credit card from WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK account number 4361451900445271. 4. Defendant used the credit card, account number 4361451900445271, and as of September 23, 2009 there was an outstanding balance due and owing in the amount of $6,021.76. 5. Plaintiff purchased this account and presently owns and holds this account. 6. When Plaintiff purchased this account there was an outstanding balance due and owing of $6,021.76. Attached hereto as Exhibit "A" are the Assignment and Statements. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment in favor of Plaintiff and against Defendant(s) for the sum of $6,021.76 and requests this Court award costs to the extent permitted by applicable law. APOTHAKER & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Attorney for Plaintiff A Law Firm EnizaaedAn Debt Collection Kimb'erly/'. Scian, Esquire Dated: November 6, 2009 VERIFICATION Kimberly F. Scian, Esquire hereby states that I am counsel for plaintiff in this action, and that I am authorized to take this Verification, and that the statements made in the foregoing Civil Action Complaint are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief. The undersigned understands that the statements therein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S.A. 4904 relating to unswom falsification to authorities. APOTHAKER & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Attorney for Plaintiff A Law Firm Engaged ill Debt Collection y V. Scian, Esquire Dated: November 6, 2009 Defendant's Name: JODI A WITMER Account Number: 4361451900445271 Our File No.: 220567 APOTHAKER & ASSOCIATES, P.C. By: Kimberly F. Scian, Esquire Attorney I.D. #55140 520 Fellowship Road C306 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 (800) 672-0215 Attorneys for Plaintiff ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC c/o Apothaker & Associates, P.C. 520 Fellowship Road C306 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CUMBERLAND COUNTY NO.: 09-6197 Plaintiff, VS. JODI A WITMER 611 MALLARD RD APT 6B CAMP HILL, PA 17011-1217 Defendant. Civil Action CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE I, Kimberly F. Scian, Esquire, attorney for Plaintiff, certify that on November 6, 2009, I mailed a copy of Plaintiff's Amended Complaint by Regular mail to: JOSEPH GOLDBERG, Esquire 2080 LINGLESTOWN RD STE 106 HARRISBURG, PA 17110 APOTHAKER & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Attorney for Plaintiff A Law Firm Engaged ' Pg.WCollection r`? BY• Ki er F. Scian, Esquire Dated: November 6, 2009 waMu• PO Boa r2iaM. W W>e CY YM,003 [ h&wb ahenaa of asdraas an bsail Psymsal onimum somact as of Acexwar bA Dam Payment W N201511 Uwober .. osr151n6 ;r,32y.wt $5,ipa:9S 43Bi-6513-0G4?-5E7'( Closlo to & twoof b4N 1* AMOUNT ott ( ''' 000 o Mace Cheeks Payotdo to wasIonot" VA" 11.I,1r1111Ff1111111F1Lt/11I„!!,!„111?i1,?1t.1111111F1L1111r1111,111 377669 YIIAiSHNGTON MUTUAL CARD SERVICES =1 A WITMEA P.0, sox s6ipw 611 MALLARD AD # 68 DALLAS TX t7fM407 CA }M]P HLL PA 170,1 i.ino 11111141614 11111 i111r1111fill /li{ 111111111111111111111'11111*1 1111111111111111111111t/1111F11ri1i1tl1a111t!li71113f111a /1141 4361451900445271 0152960 0566695 11015000 18 M 64,92 loss J" DETACH HFRE 1 7' ii sasaxa sRSCa y er I Cat t" U246 01ANW1 Waft YOUR ACCOUNT IS PAST DUE AND OVER ITS CREDIT t,1NE. Pleeoe pay ft mavmum paymanl ipiad *A Ws along w4h "Is overfvnil arw mt +trv* a'#at.ty. You may Moo om us a! I NV-280.9441 or vW Ue at WwtiY.wamUrw+iFaip cam tw pamwIt optacw. 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Boy SW433, Delta, TX 752664)433 ?Indioate change of address on back Payment Minimum Balance as of Account Due Date Payment BM18120M Number 05115p8 51,529.80 =5,666.95 4361.4519.0044.5271 AMOUNT ENCLOSED (uas blue or black Ink) N 000 Make Checks Payable to Washington Mutual 1,11. ilillllrrllr1r1 fLrlirlrtlllslLd1i11.11dt1 irtii11 6ll.. WASHINGTON MUTUAL CARD SERVICES P.O. BOX 660487 DALLAS TX 75266-0487 UttdtlJtiiL616t,il,iil1tttit,il,rLlt,tllriltpoll i6tti 377069 JODI A WITMER 611 MALLARD RD # 6B CAMP HILL PA 17011-1220 tiillltiillliniitlliiillittllttLLiLIIltttnttlLidliilli 4361451900445271 0152980 0566695 0015000 18 6092 less JYC 1 7 16 060416 PAGE 1 of 1 COLR204C N000 DETACH HERE GIAU092 377069 Messages YOUR ACCOUNT IS PAST DUE AND OVER ITS CREDIT LINE Please pay the minimum payment fated above along with the ovedimit amount immediately. You may also call us at 1-800-280-9441 or visit us at www.womucanhelp.comfor payment options. Your account is closed Any balance you have will continue to accrue finance charges and fees and you will continue to receive billing statements until your balance is paid in full. Please destroy any checks and credit cards relating to this account. You will also need to cancel all automatic charges that are billed to this acoount. Closing your account does not stop these charges from being submitted by the merchant. Account Summary Statement Closing Date 04/18/08 Credits & Payments $0.00 Credit IJna $4,831.00 Cash Advances + $0.00 Available Credit for Cash Advances as of 04118/06 $0.00 NEW BALANCE = $5,666.95 Transactions Data Description Amount No Activity This Month FOR BILLING ERRORS AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION, SEE REVERSE OF PAGE 1 Balance Category Average Daily Periodic Corresponding Finance Grace Daily Balance Rate APR Charges Terms Purchase - Current Cycle $2,000.62 .0794%' 28.99X• $47.65 Term A Cash - Current Cycle $3,597.18 .0794%' 28.991V $85.68 Term B Etfectlve ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE (APR): 28.58% 'These rates may vary. The Corresponding APR is the rate of interest you pay when you carry a balance on purchases or cash advances. The Effective APR represents your Intel anence charges - including transaction fees such as cash advance and balance trmnfer fees • e>Ipresscd ea a percentage. 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Ilaciwd-a ll oWaa EFTrannelhepimobaed, war aaypeosntanimageor .. .. .... agepwanfiasanPaoemwanrww«igRaldaMU.. a ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC, Plaintiff v. IN THE COURT OF (:OMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA JODI A. WITMER, Defendant CNIL ACTION - LA'JV No. 09-6197 Civil Term IN RE: DEFENDANT'S PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS TO PLAINTIFF'S AMENDED COMPLAINT BEFORE OLER, J., AND EBERT J. ORDER OF COURT AND NOW, this 13`h day of May, 2010, upon consideration of the Defendant's Preliminary Objections to Plaintiff's Amended Complaint, and the briefs filed by the parties and after argument, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that Defendant's Preliminary Objections to Plaintiff's Amended Complaint are SUSTAINED. This Court grants Plaintiff leave to file a legally sufficient amended Complaint within 30 days of the date of this Order. By the Court, ~/ Kimberly F. Scian, Esq. Attorney for Plaintiff oseph K. Goldberg, Esq. Attorney for Defendant 5~~~r/_y~,tc~ ~~ ' n ~~ M. L. Ebert, Jr., J. N d t: ~ ~ C -e'7 ~~ ~rt ` ~ ~"' ? -~_ -~ ? r~ ~ ~-- ` ~~ ~ '? ~i L ?? ~~ ~ /~. V ) ~ r '` ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC, Plaintiff 1N THE COURT OF (:OMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA v. JODI A. WITMER, Defendant CIVIL ACTION - LA`JV No. 09-6197 Civil Term IN RE: DEFENDANT'S PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS TO PLAII~TTIFF'S AMENDED COMPLAINT BEFORE OLER. J., AND EBERT J. OPINION AND ORDER OF COURT Ebert, J., May 13, 2010 - On December 12, 2009, Jodi A. Witmer (hereinafter Defendant) filed Preliminary Objections to Arrow Financial Services, LLC's (hereinafter Plaintiff) Amended Complaint. Plaintiff's one count Amended Complaint against Defendant seeks damages based on Defendant's default on a credit card account. Defendant's Preliminary Objections raised five issues regarding Plaintiff's Amended Complaint. They include: (1) failure to conform to rule of court (improper Verification); (2) failure to conform to rule of court (failure to attach written assignments of debt); (3) failure to conform to rule of court (claiming Plaintiff is not the real party of interest); (4) failure to provide sufficient specificity in a pleading; and (5) failure to conform to rule of court (failure to state whether agreement is oral or written, state its terms, and/or attach a written contract upon which the claim is based). Defendant's Preliminary Objections will be SUSTAINED. 2 STATEMENT OF FACTS Plaintiff asserts it is an assignee and successor in interest to the original creditor on a certain credit card account issued to Defendant.' Plaintiff alleges Defendant used the credit card, resulting in an outstanding balance.2 Plaintiff alleges Defendant has not paid amounts owing under the account and seeks a judgment for $6,021.76, plus costs.3 PROCEDURAL HISTORY On September 14, 2009, Plaintiff instituted this action against Defendant in the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. On September 28, 2009, Defendant filed Preliminary Objections to Plaintiff's Complaint. On November 17, 2009, Plaintiff filed an Amended Complaint. On December 11, 2009, Defendant filed Preliminary Objections to Plaintiff's Amended Complaint. Defendant's Preliminary Objections to the Amended Complaint are now before this Court. DISCUSSION A. Standard of Review The Defendant in this case has filed preliminary objections that claim Plaintiff has failed to plead in conformance with law or rule, Pa.R.C.P. 1028(a)(2), and that Plaintiff s pleadings are insufficiently specific, Pa.R.C.P. 1028(a)(3). Based on these preliminary objections, the Defendant has asked the Court to dismiss the complaint. The Defendant bears the burden of proof with regard to preliminary objections, and any doubt should be resolved against the objecting party. Koken v. Steinberg, 825 A.2d 723 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2003). liven where a trial court sustains preliminary objections on their merits, it is generally an abuse of discretion to dismiss the complaint without leave to amend. Harley Davidson Motor Company. Inc. v. Hartman, 442 ~ Pl.'s Compl., Sept. 14, 2009, ¶ 3. z Pl.'s Compl., Sept. 14, 2009, ¶ 4. s Pl.'s Compl., Sept. 14, 2009, ¶ 5; Pl.'s Am, Compl., Nov. 17, 2009. 3 A.2d 284 (Pa.Super. 1982). Atrial court's decision regarding preliminary objections will be reversed only where there has been an error of law or abuse of discretion. Cooper v. Frankford Health Care System, Inc., 960 A.2d 134 (Pa.Super. 2008). B. Background "A breach of contract claim in Pennsylvania requires three elements: (1) the existence of a contract (2) a breach of a duty imposed by the contract and (3) resulting damages." J_F. Walker Co., Inc. v. Excalibur Oil Group Inc., 792 A.2d 1269, 1272 (Pa. Super. 2002), citing Williams v. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 750 A.2d 881, 884 (Pa. Super. 2000). Turning to the contents of Plaintiff's Amended Complaint, it is clear that it has pleaded sufficient facts to set forth a facially valid breach of contract action. Starting with the existencc; of a contract, Plaintiff asserts it is an assignee and successor in interest to the original creditor on a certain account issued to Defendant. Plaintiff has also pleaded sufficient facts to set forth a breach of a contractually imposed duty and resulting damages. Plaintiff alleges Defendant used the credit card, resulting in an outstanding balance totaling $6,021.76 and that Defendant has not paid these amounts owing under the account. Despite the sufficiency of the pleaded facts, Plaintiff's Amended Complaint is found to be lacking several necessary requirements identified by Defendant's preliminary objections. C. Analysis of Defendant's Preliminary Objections 1. Failure to conform to rule of court (improper Verification) Defendant's first preliminary objection goes to Plaintiff's failure to properly verify the Amended Complaint. In accordance with Pa.R.C.P. No. 1024(c), "verification shall be made by one or more of the parties filing the pleading unless all the parties (1) lack sufficient knowledge or information, or (2) are outside the jurisdiction of the court and the verification of none of them 4 can be obtained within the time allowed for filing the pleading. In such cases, the verification maybe made by any person having sufficient knowledge or information and belief and shall set forth the source of the person's information as to matters not stated upon :his or her own knowledge and the reason why the verification is not made by a party." Plaintiff's Amended Complaint was not verified by a party filing the pleading. Instead it was verified by Plaintiff's counsel. Plaintiff made no averment that either of the two exceptions, provided under Pa.R.C.P. No. 1024(c), applied in this case. Furthermore, no reason was provided in the Amended Complaint as to why the Verification was not made by a party. At oral argument counsel indicated that there was perhaps some connection between Arrow Financial Services, LLC and the law fine of Apothaker and Associates, P.C. which identifies itself as a law firm engaging in debt collection. Be that as it may, Plaintiff must explain why none of the parties filing the pleading have sufficient knowledge or information and/or are otherwise outside of the jurisdiction of the Court and that none of them can provide verification within the time allowed for by the pleading. The verification supplied by Kimberly F. Scian, Esquire, is simply devoid of any of these required averments. 2. Failure to conform to rule of court (failure to attach written assignments of debt; Plaintiff not real party in interest) Defendant's second and third preliminary objections go to Plaintiff's failure to attach necessary writings to the Amended Complaint. In accordance with Pa.R.(C.P. No. 1019(1), "[w]hen any claim or defense is based upon a writing, the pleader shall attach a copy of the writing, or the material part thereof, but if the writing or copy is not accessible to the pleader, it is sufficient so to state, together with the reason, and to set forth the substance in writing." If any claim or defense set forth within the pleadings is based upon a contract, then either a copy of the 5 contract must be attached or if unavailable then the substance of the contract must be set forth in writing. In Atlantic Credit and Finance, Inc. v. Giuliana, 829 A.2d 340 (Pa. Super. 2003), the Court found that a complaint in debt collection action filed against credit card debtors by creditor's alleged assignee did not satisfy the requirement set forth in Pa.R.C.P. No. 1019(1), where the alleged assignee did not attach to the complaint: (1) a cardholder agreement; (2) a statement of account; and (3) evidence of assignment from credit card issuer to alleged assignee. Likewise in the case sub judice: (1) Plaintiff failed to identify the terms of the parties' agreement within the Amended Complaint, or attach a copy of the document upon which its claim is based to the Amended Complaint; (2) Plaintiff failed to provide a detailed statement of any cash advances, items purchased, dates of purchase and prices paid in 'the Amended Complaint; and (3) Plaintiff failed to attach a writing to the Amended Corplaint that evidences the assignment of predecessor's account to the Plaintiff. Even if the writing or a copy is not accessible to Plaintiff, it failed to provide any reason for the writings absence and also failed to set forth the substance of the contract in writing. The document attached to Plaintiff's brief titled "Appendix B, Bill of Sale" is purported to evidence the sale and assignment of Defendant's account from the original creditor to Plaintiff. This Appendix B, Bill of Sale, is not attached to the complaint. Briefs are not part of the record, and thus this appendix cannot be considered by this Court. Secondly, even if it could be considered, this document reflects a transfer of some unspecified accounts. The individual accounts that were transferred by the original creditor to Plaintiff are not specified in this document. Nowhere does it reflect that Defendant's account was among tike accounts that were transferred to Plaintiff by the original creditor. "An assignee may sue as tl~e real party in 6 interest, but it must first `trace in [its] pleading the derivation of [its] cause of action from [its] assignor. "' Remit Corp. v. Miller, 5 Pa. D. & C. 5th 43, 47 (Pa. Com. Pl. 2008) (quoting Brown v. Esposito, 42 A.2d 93, 94 (1945)). Pa.R.C.P. No. 1019 (h) states that "[w]hen any claim or defense is based upon an agreement, the pleading shall state specifically if the agreement is oral or written." Plaintiff must indicate whether this alleged agreement with the original creditor was oral or written. If it was a written agreement, Plaintiff must attach to the ,Amended Complaint a writing evidencing the assignment of Defendant's account to Plaintiff by the original creditor. Therefore, Plaintiff has failed to attach the necessary writing to the Amended Complaint evidencing the assignment of debt. 3. Fourth Preliminary Objection, Pa.R.C.P. No. 1028(a)(2)(3) -Failure to conform to rule of court, and insufficient specificity Next is the question of whether the Court should grant Defendant's Motion for More Specific Pleading. Pa.R.C.P. No. 1019(f) states that "[a]verments of time., place and items of special damage shall be specifically stated. Generally, when evaluating a motion for more specific pleading under Rule 1028(a) (3), the issue is "whether the complaint is sufficiently clear to enable the Defendant to prepare his defense, or whether the Plaintiffls c;omplaint informs the Defendant with accuracy and completeness of the specific basis on which recovery is sought so that he may know without question upon what grounds to make his defense." Rambo v. Green, 906 A.2d 1232, 1236 (Pa.Super. 2003). In debt collection actions filed by credit card companies against their customers, the plaintiff must include with the complaint a copy of the credit card agreement and a statement of account. Atlantic Credit and Finance. Inc. v. Giuliana, 829 A.2d 340, 344-45 (Pa.Super. 2003). In Capital One Bank (USA) N.A. v. Clevenstine, 7 Pa. D & C 5th 153 (Centre County 2009), the Court held that the Plaintiff satisfied Rule 1019 (i) by 7 including with the complaint "several Capital One monthly billing staterrients bearing the Defendant's name, dating from the opening of the account to the present and reflecting individual charges and fees" sufficient to illustrate how the Plaintiff amved at the amount it sought from the Defendant. In Plaintiff's complaint, the only statement of amounts related to the account is exhibit "A" which appears to be 2 copies of the same monthly,statement from May 15, 2008. This one statement does not reflect any individual charges. It does show that as of the statements closing date of April 18, 2008, $133.33 of finance charges had. been assessed as a result of an annual percentage interest rate of 28.99 percent. While we decline to hold that the Plaintiff in this case must attach each and every monthly billing statement related to this account, the fact remains that Plaintiff obviously has access to the account statements of Washington Mutual Card Services (the original creditor) and should attach statements reflecting the opening of the account and statements which show the individual charges and fees. We are satisfied that in this case, plaintiff's amended complaint falls short of the requisite specificity required by Rule 1019. 4. Fifth Preliminary Objection, Pa.R.C.P. No. 1028(a) (2) -Failure to conform to rule of court (failure to state whether agreement is oral or written, state its terms, and/or attach a written contract upon which the claim is based) Plaintiff alleges that Defendant had a credit card account with the original creditor, Washington Mutual Card Services. A credit card account is an agreement between the issuer and the cardholder. Pa.R.C.P. No. 1019 (h) states that "[w]hen any claim or df;fense is based upon an agreement, the pleading shall state specifically if the agreement is oral or written." Plaintiff must indicate whether this alleged agreement between Defendant and the original creditor was oral or written. If it was a written agreement, Plaintiff must attach to the Amended Complaint the 8 cardholder agreement between Defendant and the original creditor. The Amended Complaint simply does not address the requirements of Rule 1019 (h) or (i). CONCLUSION There is no question that this Court is a valid forum in which a business who is owed money pursuant to an agreement with another may seek redress. Clearly, debtors who have incurred legitimate debt are required to pay their obligations. This having been said, this Court has noted over the past two years given the economic turmoil present in this country, that the practice of assigning bad debts to businesses dedicated to debt collection have proliferated. Again, such businesses are entitled to collect the assigned debts legitimately owed them. However, such businesses must also follow the Rules of Civil Procedure for filing complaints to recover such debt. It has become clear to this Court that all too often these corporate collection plaintiffs tend to file shoddy, incomplete pleadings without making the necessary inquiries regarding the details of these debt transactions. It appears that this is done in order to obtain quick default judgments against unrepresented debtors at minimal expense. This case represents an example of such sub par pleading which unnecessarily increases the work of the Court. For example, Plaintiff's brief clearly indicates that Arrow is in possession of additional information which should have been pled in the complaint. In its brief, Arrow states (1) that the account was open on August 21, 2000, (2) that the Defendant made its last payment of $100.00 on July 17, 2008, and (3) that the outstanding balance that was charged off on April 20, 2008, was $5,566.95. There is no question that electronic data concerning this account does exist and which could be properly produced and pled in the complaint. At one point in its brief, on page 3 in paragraph 2, Plaintiff states "Defendant, when entering into a contract with Capital One Bank agreed to make interest payments on unpaid balances on this account..." This credit 9 card was supposedly issued by Washington Mutual Card Services not Capital One Bank. Furthermore, the Amended Complaint provides at Exhibit "A" one Washington Mutual Card Services credit card statement from May 15, 2008, which it attached twice. Such inattention is indicative of the shoddy legal work being presented to this Court. If a legitimate outstanding debt is owed, this Court is obligated to see that justice is done and debt is paid. However, the Rules of Civil Procedure are perfectly clear. Credit card debt collection is not some type of cut rate fast track legal process. The Plaintiff must pay attention to detail and submit a properly pleaded and complete complaint. Here, the "failure to produce a cardholder agreement and statement of account, as well as evidence of the assignment, establishes a meritorious defense" requiring preliminary objections be sustained. Atlantic Credit and Finance, Inc. v. Giuliano, 829 A.2d 34CI, 345 (Pa. Super. 2003). Failure to attach these writings to the Amended Complaint is fatal. Plaintiff must provide a proper verification and plead with more specificity. Defendant's Preliminary Objections are sustained. This Court will grant Plaintiff leave to file a legally sufficient Amended Complaint within 30 days of the date of this Order. Accordingly the following order is entered: ORDER OF COURT AND NOW, this 13`h day of May, 2010, upon consideration of the Defendant's Preliminary Objections to Plaintiff's Amended Complaint, and the briefs filed by the parties and after argument, 10 ' IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that Defendant's Preliminary Objections to Plaintiffs Amended Complaint are SUSTAINED. This Court grants Plaintiff leave to file a legally sufficient amended Complaint within 30 days of the date of this Order. By the Court, M. L. Ebert, Jr., J. Kimberly F. Scian, Esq. Attorney for Plaintiff Joseph K. Goldberg, Esq. Attorney for Defendant 11 Joseph K. Goldberg, Esquire 2080 Linglestown Road, Suite 106 Harrisburg, PA 17110 (717)703-3600 joldberg@ssbc-law.com PA ID #46782 IL%~ ,` J~ ~i ,\.,, l ,.: c. ~L IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC, Plaintiff v. JODI A. WITMER, CIVIL TERM (LAW) NO. 09-6197 JURY TRIAL DEMANDED Defendant PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS TO SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT AND NOW COMES the Defendant, Jodi A. Witmer, who files her Preliminary Objections to the Plaintiff's Second Amended Complaint,' as follows: 1. Plaintiff filed suit against Defendant alleging that Defendant owes money to Plaintiff arising out of an account issued by a predecessor of the Plaintiff. Sec. Am. Comp. ¶'¶ 1, 7, 12. 2. The Defendant was served with the Complaint on September 15, 2009. 3. After Defendant filed Preliminary Objections to the Complaint and listed the matter for Argument, Plaintiff filed an Amended Complaint by mail on or about November 6, 2009. 4. The Amended Complaint was not served on Defendant's attorney until Plaintiff's counsel mailed it on November 24, 2009. 5. Defendant filed Preliminary Objections to the Amended Complaint. 'Although the current pleading is titled "Amended Complaint," it is actually the Second Amended Complaint. Following briefing and oral argument, the Court sustained all the Preliminary Objections by Opinion and Order May 13, 2010. 6. Plaintiff filed the pending Second Amended Complaint by ordinary mail. The cover letter to the Prothonotary and Certificate of Service are both dated May 27, 2010, but the envelope mailed to Defendant's counsel is postmarked June 1, 2010. 7. Plaintiff's Second Amended Complaint does not correct the deficiencies for which the Court sustained three of the five previous Preliminary Objections. First Preliminary Objection - Pa. R.C.P. No. 1028(a)(2) -Failure to conform to rule of court (failure to attach written assignments of debt) 8. The Plaintiff is not the original creditor, but rather an assignee of at least one predecessor. Sec. Am. Comp. ¶ 12. Since the Plaintiff's right to maintain an action as an assignor is predicated upon a written assignment, that writing must be attached to the Amended Complaint, pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. No. 1019(1). 9. Plaintiff has attached to the pleading a document titled "Appendix B, Bill of Sale." By its terms, the Bill of Sale is not the document by which the account was purportedly sold. The Bill of Sale references a "Forward Flow Purchase and Sale Agreement," which is said to contain the terms of the transfer of some accounts from Washington Mutual Bank to the Plaintiff. Not only are the terms and conditions of the agreement not stated or described, but the Bill of Sale in no way references the account supposedly opened by the Defendant and for which she is being sued. 10. By failing to attach a copy of the assignment of the debt to the Plaintiff, the Second Amended Complaint does not comply with an express rule of court, in violation of Pa. R.C.P. No. 1028(a)(2). 2 Second Preliminary Objection - Pa. R.C.P. No. 1028(a)(2), (3) -Failure to conform to rule of court, as Plaintiff is not the real party in interest 11. Pa. R.C.P. 2002(a) requires that an action be brought by the real party in interest. 12. By failing to attach a copy of the necessary writing by which the Plaintiff would become the assignee of the account -and thus the real party in interest -the Plaintiff has failed to conform with the requirements of the aforesaid rule. 13. Since this matter was not brought by the real party in interest, it must be dismissed. Third Preliminary Objection - Pa. R.C.P. No. 1028(a)(2) -Failure to conform to rule of court (failure to state the terms of the written agreement and/or attach written contract upon which the claim is based) 14. The Second Amended Complaint alleges the existence of a written credit card account between the Defendant and the Plaintiff s predecessor, referred to as the "account." Credit card accounts must be evidenced by certain written documents, including an agreement. 15. Pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. No. 1019(1), if the agreement is written, it must be attached to the pleading or, if not, the pleader must explain its absence and set forth the substance of the agreement. 16. The Plaintiff has failed to describe the terms of the agreement, and it has not attached a copy of a written agreement or explained its absence. 3 WHEREFORE, the Defendant demands that her Preliminary Objections be sustained, and, in light of the Plaintiff's filing a third pleading with the same defects, the Second Amended Complaint be dismissed with prejudice. Re,~peettu I I y~,u b m fitted , ~ep~i R. Goldb g, Esquire Attorney ID . 46 2 2080 Lingl to Road, Suite 106 Harrisburg, PA 17110 (717)703-3600 Attorney for Defendant 4 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE /`~~ ~_ I, the undersigned, hereby certify that on the ! day of ~~~~ , 2010, served a copy of the foregoing Defendant's Preliminary Objections to Second Amended Complaint, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, upon the following: Benjamin J. Cavallaro, Esquire Apothaker & Associates, P.C. 520 Fellowship Road, C306 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Attorney for Plaintiff PRAECIPE FOR LISTING CASE FOR ARGUMENT (Must be typewritten and submitted in triplicate) TO THE PROTHONOTARY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY: (List the within matter for the next Argument Court.) 4~ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------~ -s-< CAPTION OF CASE ''~ ~::> (entire caption must be stated in full) G c+ _j.~ Arrow Financial Services,LLC "~ ~ ~ ~ -n ~~ `'' S"- - -~r1. 1 _ Jodi A. Witmer ~ y~' `~ ~ ~"~'~ ~ ;-r`,, No. 09-6197 Civil '~ ~" ~ ~.- ~'' 1. State matter to be argued (i.e., plaintiffs motion for new trial, defendant's demurrer to complaint, etc.): Defendant's Preliminary Obiections to Second Amended Complaint 2. Identify all counsel who will argue cases: (a) for plaintiffs: Benjamin J. Cavallaro, 520 Fellowship Road, C302, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 (Name and Address) (b) for defendants: Joseph K. Goldberg, 2080 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110 (Name and Address) 3. I will notify all parties in writing within two days that this case has been listed for argument. 4. Argument Court Date: August 18, 2010 u Joseph K. Goldberg Print your name Defendant July 2, 2010 Attorney for Date: INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Original and two copies of all briefs must be filed with the COURT ADMINISTRATOR (not the Prothonotary) before argument. 2. The moving party shall file and serve their brief 12 days prior to argument. 3. The responding party shall file their brief 5 days prior to argument. 4. If argument is continued new briefs must be filed with the COURT ADMINISTRATOR (not the Prothonotary) after the case is relisted. ARROW FINANCIAL IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF SERVICES, LLC, :CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA PLAINTIFF V. JODI A. WITMER, DEFENDANT 09-6197 CIVIL TERM IN RE: DEFENDANT'S PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS BEFORE HESS. P.J. , OLER. J. AND MASLAND, J. ORDER OF COURT AND NOW, this ~ day of October, 2010, Defendant's preliminary objections ARE SUSTAINED. We grant Plaintiff 30 days from the date of this order and opinion to amend its second amended complaint. Plaintiff will receive no further opportunities to plead a legally sufficient complaint. By the Court, ~njamin J. Cavallaro, Esquire For Plaintiff ~seph Goldberg, Esquire For Defendant ~ saa Albert . Masland, J. ~~, ,.~, t,. ~ : -^°~ - ~ . _;.~ p .; ~~ k... ..~y i'~? "B7 .. ;~-~ r; ~ ~ ~~ . ARROW FINANCIAL IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF SERVICES, LLC, :CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA PLAINTIFF V. JODI A. WITMER, DEFENDANT 09-6197 CIVIL TERM IN RE: DEFENDANT'S PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS BEFORE HESS. P.J. , OLER, J. AND MASLAND, J. OPINION AND ORDER OF COURT Masland, J., October 5, 2010:-- Before the court are the preliminary objections of Jodi A. Witmer, Defendant, to the second amended complaint filed by Plaintiff, Arrow Financial Services LLC. For the reasons stated below, Defendant's preliminary objections are sustained. Previously, our esteemed colleague, the Honorable M.L. Ebert, Jr., issued an opinion and order sustaining Defendant's preliminary objections to Plaintiffs first amended complaint in this matter. In response, Plaintiff filed the second amended complaint and Defendant filed preliminary objections thereto. Now, following briefing and argument we again sustain Defendant's preliminary objections and dismiss the second amended complaint. In doing so, we grant Plaintiff 30 days leave to file a third amended complaint. However, in light of the repeated deficiencies of Plaintiffs pleadings up to this point, we will not grant Plaintiff leave to file subsequent amended complaints. This is a collections matter arising from an allegedly delinquent credit card 09-6197 CIVIL TERM account. Defendant objects to the adequacy of Plaintiffs second amended complaint on two grounds, first Plaintiff has not included written evidence of the assignment of Defendant's debt from the original creditor to Plaintiff, and second, the second amended complaint fails to identify the terms of the parties' agreement, or attach a copy of the document upon which its claim is based. I. Evidence of Assignment Where, as here, a plaintiff is not the defendant's original creditor, the complaint must include a writing evidencing the assignment of the defendant's account from the original creditor to the plaintiff. Atlantic Credit and Finance, lnc. v. Giuliana, 829 A.2d 340 (Pa. Super. 2003). Here, Plaintiffs second amended complaint includes a document labeled "Bill of Sale" indicating the sale of various accounts from Washington Mutual Bank to Plaintiff. This writing is wholly inadequate to establish Plaintiff is a real party in interest in this matter. First, we note this document is identical to the document already ruled insufficient by Judge Ebert in his opinion and order granting the preliminary objections to Plaintiffs amended complaint. He reasoned: [T]his document reflects a transfer of some unspecified accounts. The individual accounts that were transferred by the original creditor to Plaintiff are not specified in this document. Nowhere does it reflect that Defendant's account was among the accounts that were transferred to Plaintiff by the original creditor. Arrow Financial Services LLC v. Witmer, No. 09-6197, slip op. at 6 (Cumb. Co. May 13, 2010). Plaintiff has failed to include any supplementary documentation in its second amended complaint. Accordingly, Plaintiff has again failed to provide an adequate writing to demonstrate the chain of assignment whereby it -2- ' ' 09-6197 CIVIL TERM became the owner of Defendant's alleged debt. Defendant's preliminary objection will be granted in this respect. II. Absence of Cardholder Agreement Next, we address Defendant's objection to the absence of the terms of her original cardholder agreement. She argues the alleged debt is based upon a written cardholder agreement, and accordingly, Plaintiff must attach a copy of the document to the complaint. We agree. We note with disapproval that this issue, like that raised by Defendant's previous preliminary objection, was already addressed by Judge Ebert in his opinion resolving the last round of preliminary objections. There he clearly stated that "Plaintiff must attach to the Amended Complaint the cardholder agreement between Defendant and the original creditor." Arrow Financial Services LLC v. Witmer, slip op. at 8-9. Plaintiff concedes it has failed to do so. Nonetheless, Plaintiff asks us to overlook the absence of this essential document because it is not accessible at this time. It is well-settled that when a claim is based on a written agreement, that writing must be attached to the pleadings. Pa. R.C.P. No. 1019. However, if the writing is not accessible to the pleader, it is sufficient so to state, together with the reason, and to set forth the substance in writing. Pa. R.C.P. No. 1019(1). Here, Plaintiff avers, "[aj copy of the credit application and agreement are not accessible to Plaintiff at this time." Am. Compl. at ¶4. No further detail is provided to establish the reason the document is currently unavailable. Plaintiff's bare assertion that the document is unavailable, absent further explanation, is -3- ' ' 09-6197 CIVIL TERM insufficient to satisfy Rule 1019's requirements. For similar reasons, Plaintiffs summary of the substance of the cardholder agreement is also inadequate. Plaintiff described the underlying cardholder agreement in only vague and general terms: "Defendant was given the right to make purchases in return for a promise to timely pay the principal balance accumulated plus interest, fees and penalties where applicable." Am. Compl. at ¶6. This statement fails to set forth the material terms of the cardholder agreement in any detail and therefore fails to set forth the substance of that agreement as contemplated by Rule 1019. Plaintiff has failed to comply with Judge Ebert's demand that it attach a copy of the cardholder agreement to its second amended complaint. fn lieu of including the agreement, Plaintiff has failed to offer a satisfactory explanation for its absence and has failed to set forth the substance of the agreement in sufficient detail. Accordingly, Defendant's preliminary objections are sustained in this respect. III. Conclusion Defendant's preliminary objections are sustained. We grant Plaintiff 30 days leave to amend its second amended complaint. However, in tight of Plaintiffs repeated failures to file a legally sufficient complaint, this will be Plaintiffs final opportunity to do so. ORDER OF COURT AND NOW, this ~ day of October, 2010, Defendant's preliminary objections ARE SUSTAINED. We grant Plaintiff 30 days from the date of this -4- ' ~ 09-6197 CIVIL TERM order and opinion to amend its second amended complaint. Plaintiff will receive no further opportunities to plead a legally sufficient complaint. By the Court, Albert H. Masland, J. Benjamin J. Cavallaro, Esquire For Plaintiff Joseph Goldberg, Esquire For Defendant :saa -5- f Our File No.: 220567 APOTHAKER & ASSOCIATES, P.C BY: David J. Apothaker, Esquire Attorney I.D.# 38423 520 Fellowship Road C306 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 (800) 672-0215 Attorney for Plaintiff ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC Plaintiff, VS. JODI A WITMER COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CUMBERLAND COUNTY NO. 09-6197 Defendant. PRAECIPE TO DISMISS WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE PROTHONOTARY: Kindly dismiss this action without prejudice. APOTHAKER & ASIATES, P.C. Attorneys tf 6r P , mtiff A Law Firm Enga ed 2ebt Collection,. By. David J. Apothaker, Esquire Joseph K. Goldberg, Esquire 2080 Linglestown Road, Suite 106 Harrisburg, PA 17110 (717) 703-3600 jgoldberg@ssbc-law.com PA ID #46782 DF TNE%THO OTARY 2010 NOY 15 PM 2= 18 CUMBERLAND COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC, Plaintiff V. JODI A. WITMER, Defendant CIVIL TERM (LAW) NO. 09-6197 JURY TRIAL DEMANDED MOTION FOR DISMISSAL OF CASE WITH PREJUDICE WITHOUT CONCURRENCE AND NOW COMES Defendant, Jodi A. Witmer, by and through her attorney, Joseph K. Goldberg, who moves the court to dismiss the above-captioned case, with prejudice, as follows: 1. This Motion involves the October 6, 2010, Order of the Honorable Albert H. Masland, Jr. 2. The aforesaid Order granted Defendant's Preliminary Objections to Second Amended Complaint. The Order reads as follows: AND NOW, this a day of October, 2010, Defendant's preliminary objections ARE SUSTAINED. We grant Plaintiff 30 days from the date of this order and opinion to amend its second amended complaint. Plaintiff will receive no further opportunities to plead a legally sufficient complaint. 3. More than 30 days have elapsed from the date of the Order and Plaintiff has failed to file an amended complaint. 4. Pursuant to Judge Masland's October 6, 2010, Order, this case should be dismissed with prejudice. 5. Defendant sought the concurrence of Plaintiffs counsel by faxing a copy of this Motion on November 9, 2010. Opposing counsel did not provide concurrence. WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests the court enter an Order dismissing this case with prejudice. Respectfully submitted, Aft ney I D No. 467 2680 Linglestown ad, Suite 106 Harrisburg, PA 110 (717)703-360 Attorney for Defendant 2 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE ? f I, the undersigned, hereby certify that on the/1? day of , 2010, served a copy of the foregoing Motion to Dismiss Case with Prejudice Without Concurrence, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, upon the following: Benjamin J. Cavallaro, Esquire Apothaker & Associates, P.C. 520 Fellowship Road, C306 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Attorney for Plaintiff . so Joseph K. Goldberg, Esquire 2080 Linglestown Road, Suite 106 Harrisburg, PA 17110 (717) 703-3600 jgoldberg@ssbc-law.com PA ID #46782 nF TH`M, 2010 NOY I f FK 3 Iq ^UMBERLk,"!D CO"'IY PENNS` Nuv q alu IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA ARROW FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC, Plaintiff CIVIL TERM (LAW) V. NO. 09-6197 JODI A. WITMER, JURY TRIAL DEMANDED Defendant ORDER AND NOW, this day of 1y01Aek-'71,a- , 2010, upon consideration of the Defendant's Motion for Dismissal with Prejudice, and because of the failure of Plaintiff to file a legally sufficient complaint by the time prescribed by the Court in its Order of October 6, 2010, it is Ordered, that Defendant's Motion be, and hereby is, Granted, and this matter is hereby dismissed with prejudice BY THE COURT, J. ..Copies to: Joseph K. Goldberg, Esq., 2080 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110; ,,,Aenjamin J. Cavallaro, Esq., 520 Fellowship Road, C302, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 CIes Pv%:a% (QL S