HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-5639
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
GOTHAM COLLECTION SERVICES I CIVIL DIVISION
CORP., a corporation, assignee 1
of CHASE BANK USA
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Plaintiff(s), 1
I No. 2010 -5ro r C?Vj oP-
V. I
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RONALD P. OKUM, an individual 1
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Defendant(s), 1
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COMPLAINT
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I Code No. lb- A''ITorm
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Filed on Behalf of:
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1 PLAINTIFF
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ATTORNEY OF RECORD FOR THIS PARTY
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I Louis B. Swartz
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I PA. ID # 00242
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ISWARTZ, LOVEJOY & ASSOCIATES
116th FLOOR LAW AND FINANCE BUILDING
(PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15219
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1(412) 288-0303
%82984
NOTE: THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION
OBTAINED FROM YOU WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE
H2954
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL DIVISION
GOTHAM COLLECTION SERVICES
CORP., a corporation, assignee
of CHASE BANK USA
Plaintiff(s),
V.
No. 2010
RONALD P. OKUM, an individual
Defendant(s),
NOTICE TO DEFEND AND CLAIM RIGHTS
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 days (20) 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 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, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW.
THIS OFFICE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT HIRING A
LAWYER.
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
32 SOUTH BEDFORD STREET
CARLISLE, PA 17013
1-800-990-9108
717-249-3166
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL DIVISION
GOTHAM COLLECTION SERVICES
CORP., a corporation, assignee
of CHASE BANK USA
Plaintiff(s),
No. 2010 Sto 9 C N r. ?"Gdw?
v.
RONALD P. OKUM, an :individual
Deffendant(s),
COMPLAINT
1. Plaintiff(s) is GOTHAM COLLECTION SERVICES CORP., a
corporation, assignee of CHASE BANK USA. Plaintiff's address is
c/o 429 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1600, Pittsburgh PA 15219.
2. Defendant(s) is RONALD P. OKUM, an individual. Defendant's
address is 1 Nita Court, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050.
3. Defendant entered into an agreement with Plaintiff's
assignor, Chase Bank USA,
for the purpose of obtaining a credit card account,
which Plaintiff's assignor granted to Defendant as account
number ending in 1849. True and correct copies of the
documents of Defendant's account with Plaintiff are attached
hereto as Exhibit "A".
4. Defendant thereafter used the account and made the
charges thereto for which there is a balance remaining of
$28,619.98 which, despite repeated demands, has been overdue,
owing and unpaid ever since October 22, 2008. The account has been
assigned to Plaintiff for value.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands Judgment against Defe N2, t(s) in
the amount of $28,619.98 plus interest from Octobe 2008
and costs.
Louis B. Swartz J
Attorney for PLAI IFF
16th FLOOR LAW A D FINANCE BUILDING
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15219
(412) 288-0303
Statement for account number: 4417 1284 2060 1849
New Balance Payment Due Date Past Due Amount Minimum Payment
$28,619.98 10/22108 $4,100.00 $7,182.98
' Make your check payable to:
Chase Card Services.
Please write amount enclosed.
New address or e-mail? Print on back.
441712842060184900718298028619980000001
12603 BEX Z 27106 C
RONALD P OKUM
3947 LENNANE DR STE 120
SACRAMENTO CA 95834-1971
IIrIr?rlrlrlr,LrrllrrL,Ir.rIII,I,Jrrrlrrrllrlrrlrl,lrrlrrll
AO L. 0>
CARDMEMBER SERVICE
PO BOX 94014
PALATINE IL 60094-4014
1: 5000 L60 28e: 2 2 L84 2060 ia49 ills
Opening/Closing Date
•> Payment Due Date: 08/28/08 - 09/27/08 CUSTOMER SERVICE
10/22/08 In U
1-800-265-6524
S
AO
Minimum Payment Due: .
.
$7,182.98 EspaAol 1-888-446-3308
TOO 1-800-955-8060
Pay by phone 1-800-436-7958
Outside U.S. call collect
1-302-594-8200
VISA ACCOUNT SUMMARY Account Number: 44171284 2060 1849
Previous Balance $28,243.10 Total Credit Line $26,200 ACCOUNT INQUIRIES
Box 15298
Purchases, Cash, Debits +$39.00 Available Credit $0 Wilmington, DE 19850-5298
Wilmingtonn, DE
Finance Charges +$337.88 Cash Access Line $26,200
New Balance $26,619.98 Available for Cash $0 PAYMENT ADDRESS
P.O. Box 94014
Palatine, IL 60094-4014
VISIT US AT:
www.chase.com/aol
The outstanding balance on your credit card account is scheduled to be written off as a bad debt
shortly. As a result, your credit bureau will be updated with a negative rating that could last for
up to seven years. We can still help, but you need to call us now at 1-888-792-7547 (collect
1-302-594-8200).
Your account is closed. Please continue to make monthly payments by the due date until your
balance is paid in full.
FLEXIBLE REWARDS SUMMARY To redeem your Flexible Rewards points, call
Previous points balance 0 1-800-603-2265, or log on to
Points earned on purchases this period 0 www.chase.com/creditoards for 24-hour access
New total points balance 0 to your rewards program.
TRANSACTIONS
Trans
Date Reference Number
Merchant Name or Transaction Description Amount
Credit Debit
09/22 LATE FEE $39.00
FINANCE CHARGES
Finance Charge
Daily Periodic Rate Corresp. Average Daily Due To Transaction Accumulated FINANCE
Category 31 days in cycle APR Balance Periodic Rate Fee Fin Charge CHARGES
Purchases .03836% 14.00% $3,557.50 $42.30 $0.00 $0.00 $42.30
Cash advances .03836% 14.00% $7,752.56 $92.19 $0.00 $0.00 $92.19
Convenience check .03836% 14.00% $17,103.75 $203.39 $0.00 $0.00 $203.39
Total finance charges $337.88
Effective Annual Percentage Rate (APR): 14.00%
Please see Information About Your Account section for balance computation method, grace period, and other important information
The Corresponding APR is the rate of interest you pay when you carry a balance on any transaction category.
The Effective APR represents your total finance charges - including transaction fees
such as cash advance and balance transfer fees - expressed as a percentage.
This Statement is a Facsimile - Not an original
0000001 FIS33335 C 3 000 N Z 27 08109/27 Page 1 of 1 00094 MAMA 12603 27010000030001260301
X 0050
Address Change Request
Please provide information below only if the address information on front is incorrect.
Street Address: -_-----__--------------
City: - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - -
--
State.
Zip: ----- --'--
Home Phone: --- --- ----
Work Phone: --- --- ----
E-mail Address: -__----__--------
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Information About Your Account
Loci or Stolen Cards: Please report your lost or stolen card immediately by
calling the Customer Service number found on the front of your statement.
Advisors are always available to assist you. You can reach an Advisor by
pressing 0 afteryou enter your account number.
Crediting of Payments: For payments by regular U .S. mail, send at least your
minimum payment due to ourpost office box designated for payments shown
on this statement. Your payments by mail must comply with the instructions
on this statement. and must be made by check or money order, payable in
U.S. Dollars, and drawn on or payable through a U.S. financial institution or
the U.S. branch of a foreign financial institution. Do riot send cash. Write your
account number on your check or money order. Payments must be
accompanied by the payment coupon in the envelope provided with our
address visible through the envelope window; the envelope cannot contain
more than one payment or coupon; and there can be no staples, paper clips,
tape or correspondence included with your payment. If your payment is in
accordance with our payment instructions and is made available to us on any
day except December 25 by 1:00 p.m. local time at our post office box
designated for payments on this statement, we will credit the payment to your
account as of that day. If your payment is in accordance with our payment
instructions, but is made available to us after 1:00 p.m. local time at our post
office box designated for payments on this statement, we will credit it to your
account as of the next day. If you do not follow our payment instructions or if
your payment is not sent by regular U.S. mail to our post office box
designated for payments, crediting of your payment maybe delayed for up to
5 days. Payments made electronically through our automated telephone
service, Customer Service advisors, or our web site will be subject to any
processing times disclosed for those payments.
Account Informallom Reported to Credit Bureaus: We may report information
about your account to credit bureaus. Late payments, missed payments or
other defaults on your account may be reflected in your credit report. If you
think we have reported inaccurate information to a credit bureau, you may
write to us at the Cardmember Service address listed on your billing
statement. Notice About Electronic Check Conversion: When you provide a
check as payment, you authorize us either to use information from your check
to make a one-time electronic fund transfer from your account or to process
the payment as a check transaction. When we use information from your
check to make an electronic fund transfer, funds may be withdrawn from your
account as soon as the same day we receive your payment, and you will not
receive your check back from your financial institution. Call the customer
service number on this statement if you have questions about electronic
check collection or do not want your payments collected electronically.
Conditional Payments: Any payment check or other form of payment that you
send us for less than the full balance due that is marked "paid in full" or
contains a similar notation, or thatyou otherwise tender in full satisfaction of
a disputed amount, must be sent to Card Services, P.O. Box 15049,
Wilmington. DE 19850-5049. We reserve all our fights regarding these
payments (a g_ if it is determined there is no valid dispute or if any such check
is received at any other address, we may accept the check and you will still
owe any remaining balance). We may refuse to accept any such payment by
returning it to you, not cashing it or destroying it. All other payments thatyou
make should be sent to the appropriate payment address.
Annual Renewal Notice: If your account has an annual fee, it will be billed
each year or in monthly installments. whether or not you use your account,
and you agree to pay it when billed. The annual foe is non-refundable unless
you notify us that you wish to close your account within 30 days of the date
we mail your statement on which the annual fee is charged and at the same
time. you pay your outstanding balance in full. Your payment of the annual fee
does not affect our rights to close your account and to limityour right to make
transactions on your account. If your account is closed by you or us, we will
continue to charge the annual fee unfit you pay your outstanding balance in
full and terminate your account relationship.
Explanation of Fiance Charges: We calculate periodic finance charges,
using the applicable periodic rates shown on this statement, separately for
each feature (e.g., balance transfer/convenience checks and cash advance
checks ("check transaction"), purchases, balance transfers, cash advances,
promotional balances or overdraft advances). Please consult your
Cardmember Agreement for the features that are applicable to your card.
These calculations may combine different categories with the same daily
periodic rates. If there is a "V" next to a periodic rate on this statement, that
rate may vary, and the index and margin used to determine that rate and its
corresponding APR are described in your Cardmember Agreement, as
amended. There is a minimum finance charge in any billing cycle in which you
owe any periodic finance charges. and a transaction finance charge for each
balance transfer, cash advance, or check transaction. in the amounts stated in
your Cardmember Agreement, as amended.
To get the daily balance for each day of the current billing cycle, we take the
beginning balance for each feature, add any new transactions or other debits
(including fees, unpaid finance charges and other charges), subtract any
payments or credits, and make other adjustments. Transactions are added as
of the transaction date, the beginning of the billing cycle in which they are
posted to your account, or a later date of our choice (except that check
transactions are added as of the date deposited by the payee or a later data of
our choice). Fees are added either on the date of a related transaction, the date
they are posted to your account, or the last day of the billing cycle. This gives
us that day's daily balance. A credit balance is treated as a balance of zero. If
a daily periodic rate applies to any feature, we multiply the daily balance by the
daily periodic rate to get your periodic finance charges for that day. We then
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add these periodic finance charges to your daily balance to get the beginning
balance for the next day. (If more than one dairy periodic rate could apply
based on the average daily balance, we will use the dal periodic rate that
applies for the average daily balance amount at the end o the billing cycle to
calculate the daily periodic finance charge each day.)
To get your total periodic finance charge for a billing cycle when a daily
periodic rate(s) applies. we add all of the daily periodic finance charges for all
features. To determine an average daily balance, we add your daily balances
and divide by the number of the days in the applicable billing cycle(s). If you
multiply the average daily balance for each feature by the applicable daily
periodic rate, and then multiply each of these results by the number of days
in the applicable billing cycle(s), and then add all of the results together, the
total will also equal the periodic finance charges for the trilling cycle, except
for minor variations due to rounding. To get your total periodic finance charge
for a billing cycle when a monthly periodic rate(s) applies, multpy the
average daily balance for each feature by the applicable monthly periodic rate
and add the results together. The total will equal the periodic finance charges
for the billing cycle, except for minor variations due to rounding.
Grace Period (at leap 20 days): We accrue periodic finance charges on a
transaction, fee. or finance charge from the date it is added to your daily
balance until payment in full is received on your account. However we do not
charge periodic finance charges on new purchases billed during a billing cycle
if we receive both payment of your New Balance on your current statement by
the date and time your payment is due and also payment of your New Balance
on your previous statement by the date and time your payment was due.
There is no grace period for balance transfers, cash advances, check
transactions, or overdraft advances.
In addition, if there is a "Qualifying Promotional Financing" section on this
statement, you will not incur periodic finance charges on any Remaining
Balance that appears in that section if you pay that balance in full by the
applicable Expiration Date, However, if you default under the terms of your
Cardmember Agreement or any Qualifying Promotional Financing offer, the
applicable periodic finance charges will accrue on any Remaining Balance as
soon as the billing cycle in which the default occurs. To avoid finance charges
on new purchases when your New Balance includes any Remaining
Balance(s) in the Qualifying Promotional Financing section. payyour full New
Balance minus the total of those Remaining Balance(s) by the date and time
your payment is due. However, if your statement shows that a minimum
payment is due, we must receive at least that minimum payment by the date
and time specified on your statement. even if your New Balance consists only
of Qualifying Promotional Financing balances.
For "deterred interest' Qualifying Promotional Financing, periodic finance
charges accrue during the promotional period but are not added to your
account balance. Instead, they accumulate from billing cycle to billing cycle.
If a deferred interest Qualifying Promotional Financing balance is not paid in
full by the applicable Expiration Date, the deferred finance charges will be
added to your account as soon as the first day after the Expiration Date.
Further, if you default under the terms of your Cardmember Agreement, the
deferred finance charges will be added to your account as soon as the date of
default.
For "fixed payment" Qualifying Promotional Financing that permits you to pay
fora purchase in a designated number of payments, you will not have a grace
period for that balance as each payment includes a portion of the interest
owed over the repayment term for that purchase. However. you will have a
grace period on other new purchases as described above.
BILLING RIGHTS SUMMARY
In Case of Errors or Questions About Your Bill: If you think your bill is wrong.
or if you need more information about a transaction on your bill, write
Cardmember Service on a separate sheet at P0. Box 15299 Wilmington. DE
19850-5299 as soon as possible. We must hear from you no later than 60
days after we sent you the first bill on which the error or problem appeared.
You can telephone us, but doing so will not preserve your rights. In your letter.
give us the following information.
• Your name and account number
• The dollar amount of the suspected error
• Describe the error and explain, if you can, why you believe there is an error
If you need more information, describe the item you are unsure about.
You do not have to pay any amount in question while we are investigating, but
you are still obligated to pay the parts of your bill that are not in question.
While we investigate your question, we cannot report you as delinquent or
take action to collect the amount you question. If you have authorized us to
pay your credit card bill automatically from your savings or checking account,
you can stop the payment on any amount you think is wrong. To stop the
payment. your letter or call (using the Cardmember Service address or
telephone number shown on this statement) must reach us at least three
business days before the automatic payment is scheduled to occur.
Special Rule for Credit Card Purchases: If you have a problem with the
quality of goods or services that you purchased with a credit card (excluding
purchases made with a check), and you have tried in good faith to correct the
problem with the merchant, you may not have to pay the remaining amount
due on the goods or services. You have this protection only when the
purchase price was more than $50 and the purchase was made in your home
state or within 100 miles of your mailing address. These limitations do not
apply if we own or operate the merchant, or if we mailed you the
advertisement for the property or services.
MA030708
I sn29x4
IN THE CouRT OF ti.t?lON PLEAS OF CiIMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL DIVISION
GDTHAW. COLLECTION SERVICES t
CORP., a corporation, assignee I
of CHASE BANK USA i
i
Plaintiff(s), I
No. 2010
I
RONALD P. OKUM, an individual I
I
I
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Dgfandant(s), I
VMUFTCATION
The undersigned, avers
that he/she is the O t c?s? of Plaintiff,
is authorized to make this verification on behalf of
Plaintiff, the statements of fact contained in the attached
Complaint are true and correct to the best of his/her
information, knowledge and belief, and are made subject
to the penalties of 16 Pa. Cans. Stat_ Ann. Section 4904
relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Date
c'ERif 'M. PLE j E
SHERIFF'S OFFICE OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Ronny R Anderson
Sheriff
Jody S Smith
Chief Deputy -
Richard W Stewart
Solicitor
Gotham Collection Services, Corp.
vs.
Ronald P. Okum
Case Number
2010-5639
SHERIFF'S RETURN OF SERVICE
09/14/2010 08:35 PM - Ryan Burgett, Deputy Sheriff, who being duly sworn according to law, states that on
September 14, 2010 at 2035 hours, he served a true copy of the within Complaint and Notice, upon the
within named defendant, to wit: Ronald P. Okum, by making known unto himself personally, at 1 Nita
Court, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17050 its contents and at the same time
handing to him personally the said true and correct copy of the same.
SHERIFF COST: $37.00
September 15, 2010
RYAN BURGSTIT, DEPUTY--"'
SO ANSWERS,
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RON R ANDERSON, SHERIFF
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In The Common Pleas Court of Cumberland County
State of Pennsylvania
Plaintiff: GOTHAM COLLECTION SERVICES CORP
(Chase Bank)
c/o Swartz, Lovejoy, & Assoc.
16~` Floor Law & Finance Bldg
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Defendant: Ronald Okum
1 Nita Court
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
ANSWER TO COMPLAINT
COMES NOW the defendant in the above styled cause to answer the Plaintiff's
Complaint as follows:
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In 2007 I, Ronald Okum, was laid off from my construction job for about six months
before fording another job in remodeling. During this time I was able to pay my bills and
on time. Since my new job paid significantly less that the former one it became more
difficult to keep up with the bills and make timely payments. I was force to "rob Peter to
pay Paul" to try to stay ahead. However, that is when the interest rates and payments
went much higher (for everyone). I did my best but finally had to go to Freedom Debt
Relief to handle my account. In August of 2009 I was laid off a second time due to the
economy. After nine months I did get another remodeling job but again, with a pay
decrease. I am trying to avoid bankruptcy. I generally disagree with the amount being
sought as well as the attorney fees and court costs.
Dated this 1~ day of October, 2010
Respectfully submitted,
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
Case Number: 10-5639
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I, the undersigned, hereby certify that I have served the Plaintiff or its attorney with a
copy of this pleading by US Mail, postage prepaid, on this 1st day of October, 2010.