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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-4432IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Malissa A. Hoover, Plaintiff, V. Civil No.: O. - ?/y.?.Z 1. LU l l.?F/1.N1 Astra Business Services, Defendant. CIVIL ACTION JURY TRIAL DEMANDED MITCHELL NOTICE TO PLEAD TO THE DEFENDANT NAMED HEREIN: 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 is 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 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. Cumberland County Bar Association 32 S. Bedford Street, Carlisle, PA 1-800-990-9108,717-249-3166 NOTICIA Le han demandado a usted en la corte. Si usted quire defenderse de estas demandas expuetas en las paginas siquientes, usted tiene viente (20) dias de plazo al partir de la fecha de la excrita o en persona o por abogado y archivar en Is corte en forma excrita sus defensas o sus objectiones a las demande, la corte tomara medidas y puede entrar una Orden contra usted sin previo aviso o notificacion y por cualquier queja o alivio que es pedido en la peticion de demands. Usted puede perder dinero o sus propiedades o otros derechos importantes pars usted. LLEVE ESTA DEMANDA A UN ABOGADO IMMEDIATAMENTE. SI NO TIENE ABOGADOO SI NO TIENE EL DINERO SUFICIENTE DE PAGAR TAL SERVICION, VAYA EN PERSONA 0 LLAME POR TELEFONO A LA OFICINA CUYA DIRECCION SE PUEDECONSEGUIR ASISTENCIA LEGAL. IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Malissa A. Hoover, Plaintiff, V. Astra Business Services, Defendant. Civil No.: O`- 4Y3A CIVIL ACTION JURY TRIAL DEMANDED COMPLAINT COUNT I - PENNSYLVANIA FAIR CREDIT EXTENSION UNIFORMITY ACT Jurisdiction for this Action is asserted under the Pennsylvania Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act, 73 P.S. §2270 ct seq. 2. Violating provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act also violate the Pennsylvania FCEU, 73 P.S. §2270.4(a). 3. That defendant engaged in unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices, as defined by FCEU and the regulations, including but not limited to, violations of 37 Pa.Code §§303.3(3), 303.3(14), 303.3(18), 303.6 and 73 P.S. §201-2(4). 4. Defendant's acts as described herein were done with malicious, intentional, willful, reckless, negligent and wanton disregard for Plaintiffs rights with the purpose of coercing Plaintiff to pay the alleged debt. 5. As a result of the above violations, Plaintiff is entitled to statutory, actual, treble and punitive damages and attorney's fees and costs. WHEREFORE, plaintiff requests that this Honorable Court issue judgment on Plaintiffs behalf and against defendant for a statutory penalty, treble damages, punitive damages, attorney fees and costs pursuant to 73 P.S. §2270.5. COUNT II - FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT 6. Plaintiff hereby incorporates the forgoing as if fully set forth herein. 7. Jurisdiction for this action is asserted pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1692, et seq. ("FDCPA"), particularly 15 U.S.C. § 1692k(d) and 28 U.S.C. §1337. 8. Venue lies in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1391(b). 9. Plaintiff is an individual, residing in Pennsylvania, and consumer pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1692a(3). 10. Defendant Astra Business Services, LLC., is a business entity(ies) engaged in the business of collecting debts in this Commonwealth with its principal place of business located at P. O. Box 1341, Mill Valley, CA 94942-1341. 11. Defendant is a debt collectors as defined by the FDCPA. 15 U.S.C. I I692a(6). 12. Defendant sent letters to Plaintiff dated August 22, 2005, which are "communications" relating to a "debt" as defined by 15 U.S.C. 11692a(2). 13. At all pertinent times hereto, the defendants were hired to collect a debt relating to a consumer transaction as defined by 15 U.S.C. § 1692a(5).. (Hereinafter the "alleged debt.") 14. Defendant communicated with plaintiff on or after one year before the date of this action, in connection with collection efforts, by letters, telephone contact or other documents, with regard to plaintiffs alleged debt. 15. Plaintiff believes and therefore avers that defendant added interest, fees and costs in violation of state and federal law. 16. Defendant in its collection efforts, demanded interest, fees and/or costs in violation of the FDCPA, 15 U.S.C. §1692f(l) and 1692e(2)A and B. 17. There was never an express agreement by Plaintiff to pay any additional fees, cost or interest to Defendant or any of its agents. 18. The FDCPA states that a violation of state law is a violation of the FDCPA. 15 U.S.C. §1692n. Pennsylvania law states, in pertinent part, 18 Pa.C.S. §7311: "Unlawful collection agency practices. (a) Assignment of claims. It is lawful for a collection agency, for the purpose of collecting or enforcing the payment thereof, to take an assignment of any such claim from a creditor, if all of the following apply: 1. The assignment between the creditors and collection agency is in writing; 2. The original agreement between the creditor and debtor does not prohibit assignments. 3. The collection agency complies with the act of December 17, 1968... (b.l )Unfair or deceptive methods. It is unlawful for a collector to collect any amount, including any interest, fee, charge or expense incidental to the principal obligation, unless such amount is expressly provided in the agreement creating the debt or is permitted by law." 19. Plaintiff believes and therefore avers that defendant does not have proper assignment of the claim, in violation of Pennsylvania law. 20. Plaintiff believes and therefore avers that defendant does not have proper assignments and/or documentation permitting said defendants to charge interest, fees and/or costs. 21. The FDCPA states, a debt collector may not use unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt. 15 U.S.C. § 1692£ Defendant violated this section of the FDCPA. 22. The FDCPA states that a violation of state law is a violation of the FDCPA. 15 U.S.C. § 1692n. Defendant violated this section of the FDCPA. 23. Defendant's initial communication, identified the alleged debt as being purchased by CACV of Colorado, LLC. 24. Plaintiff could not respond to defendant's initial communication because she had no knowledge of a creditor, past or present, named "CACV of Colorado LLC." 25. Plaintiff never received notice of the sale and/or purchase of her alleged debt. 26. Plaintiff disputes the alleged debt. 27. The FDCPA states, a debt collector may not use false, deceptive or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt. 15 U.S.C. § 1692e. Defendant violated this section of the FDCPA. 28. The Fair Credit Reporting at, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 b prohibits the improper use of a consumer's credit information. 29. The FDCPA states, a debt collector may not discuss the consumers alleged debt with a third party. The Defendant violated this section of the FDCPA. 30. The FDCPA states, a debt collector may not engage in any conduct the natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress or abuse any person in connection with the collection of a debt. 15 U.S.C. § 1692d. Defendant violated this section of the FDCPA. 31. The FDCPA provides certain rights to the consumer regarding her right to dispute the alleged debt, 15 U.S.C. § 1692g. 32. The FDCPA states, it is unlawful to add interest, charges, fees or other costs unless authorized by law or contract; Plaintiff does not have a contract with Defendant. 15 U.S.C. § 1692f and § 1692e(2)(A) and (B). Defendant violated this section of the FDCPA. 33. Defendant's collection communications were intentionally confusing, misleading and otherwise deceptive to the Plaintiffs, in violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1692e(5) and (10), § 1692f(8) and § 1692j, see also, In re Belile, 208 B.R. 658 (E.D. Pa 1977). 34. Any threat of litigation is false if the defendant rarely, sues consumer debtors or if the defendant did not intend to sue the Plaintiff. Bently v. Great Lakes Collection Bureau, 6 F.3d 62 (2d Cir. 1998). See also, 15 U.S.C. §1692e(5), 15 U.S.C. §1692e(10). 35. At all time pertinent hereto, the defendant was acting by and through its agents, servants and/or employees, who were acting within the scope and course of their employment, and under the direct supervision and control of the defendants herein. 36. At all times pertinent hereto, the conduct of defendant as well as their agents, servants, and/or employees, was malicious, intentional, willful, reckless, negligent and in wanton disregard for federal and state law and the rights of the Plaintiff herein. 37. Defendant's letters were intentionally confusing and deceptive, in violation of 15 U.S.C. §1692e(5) and (10), §1692f(8) and §1692j. 38. Defendant's June 26, 2006, letter offered Plaintiff a settlement of her claim, despite the fact that in the initial communication, she could not dispute the alleged debt because the original creditor was not identified. 39. Defendant's June 26, 2006, letter offered a settlement which led Plaintiff to believe that she could no longer dispute the alleged debt. 40. Plaintiff was confused, deceived and believed that litigation was imminent if settlement was not made. 41. The above mentioned acts with supporting cases demonstrates that the conduct of defendants rises to the level needed for punitive damages. 42. Defendant, in its collection efforts, violated the FDCPA, inter alia, Sections 1692, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, and/or n. 43. Defendant, in its collection efforts, used false or deceptive acts and intended to oppress and harass plaintiff. 44. That, as a result of the wrongful tactics of defendants as aforementioned, plaintiff has been subjected to anxiety, harassment, intimidation and annoyance for which compensation is sought. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that his Honorable Court enter judgment for Plaintiff and against defendant and issue an Order: (A) Award Plaintiff statutory damages in the amount of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for each violation of the FDCPA or each separate and discrete incident in which defendants have violated the FDCPA. (B) Award Plaintiff general damages and punitive damages for anxiety, harassment, and intimidation directed at Plaintiff in an amount not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), as well as the repetitive nature of defendants form letters. ©) Award Plaintiff costs-of this litigation, including a reasonable attorney's fee at a rate of $350.00/hour for hours reasonably expended Plaintiff's attorney in vindicating his rights under the FDCPA, permitted by 15 U.S.C. §1692k(a)(3). (D) Award declaratory and injunctive relief, and such other relief as this Honorable Court deems necessary and proper or law or it y provide. Dated: 8/1/06 By: /s/De na vnn Saracco Deanna Lynn Saracco, Attorney for Plaintiff 76 Greenmont Drive, Enola, PA 17025 Telephone 717-732-3750 Fax 717-728-9498 Email: SaraccoLaw@aol.com 44 n n Curtis R. Long Prothonotary office of the Protbonotarp Cumberlanb Countp Renee K. Simpson Deputy Prothonotary John E. Slike Solicitor d b - y413.2._ CVIL TERM ORDER OF TERMINATION OF COURT CASES AND NOW THIS 28TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2009, AFTER MAILING NOTICE OF INTENTION TO PROCEED AND RECEIVING NO RESPONSE - THE ABOVE CASE IS HEREBY TERMINATED WITH PREJUDICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH PA R C P 230.2. BY THE COURT, CURTIS R. LONG PROTHONOTARY One Courthouse Square • Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013 • (717) 240-6195 • Fax (717) 240-6573