The class has been certified in a class action against municipal debt collector Portnoff Law Associates, Ltd. on behalf of all persons who, between January 1, 2002, and March 31, 2003, received communications from Portnoff relating to municipal claims for water and sewer assessments asserted by the city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The letters may also have sought fees and costs imposed under the Pennsylvania's Municipal and Tax Liens Act and local ordinances. The action alleges that the firm violated the federal Fair Debt Collections Act (FDCA) by sending non-conforming demand letters to debtors. The action seeks compensatory and punitive damages, and an order from the court that will force Portnoff to comply fully with the FDCA.

Bridget Piper alleges that she received a letter from Portnoff that indicated that she had a $252.75 delinquent water bill on which she owed $465 in assessments to the city. In violation of the FDCA, the letter allegedly failed to indicate that it was from a debt collector, failed to tell her that she had a right to dispute the debt, and charged fees that weren't authorized by law to the extent that her bill grew to more than $2,805.

Excluded from the class are all businesses and persons who own their property for business purposes.

The action is currently scheduled for a jury trial on September 9, 2003.