Kathleen M. Spurgeon v Steinberg, Fineo, Berger & Fischoff, PC
Consumer Sues Law Firm for Violations of Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
A class action lawsuit has been filed in the Eastern District Court of Pennsylvania against Steinberg, Fineo, Berger & Fischoff, PC for violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) which prohibits debt collectors from engaging in abusive, deceptive and unfair collection practices. Class members seek an injunction specifying that the defendant cease communication with her, damages, reasonable attorney's fees and cost of the litigation.
Specifically, the complaint alleges that the law firm was hired by Capital One Bank to collect a debt relating to consumer credit card purchases owed by the plaintiff. In May 2004, the firm sent the plaintiff a letter and allegedly tried to coerce the plaintiff into paying the debt.
According to the plaintiff, the letter failed to provide her with notice that the firm was a debt collector, give her notice of her rights to dispute the validity of the debt, request validation of the debt or request the name and address of the original debtor (Capital One). She alleges that these practices are in violation of the FDCPA and as a result, she has sustained damages, including out of pocket expenses and emotional and mental anguish.
