Tough Economy Triggers Sleazy Collection Practices As Threatening, Humiliating MySpace Messages, Profanity Alleged In Civil Suits

In Chicago, Illinois, WLS-TV Channel 7 reports:

• A Chicago man is suing a collection agency and JP Morgan Chase Bank for posting threatening messages on his daughter's MySpace account. James Ricobene claims Universal Tracing Services threatened his daughter with felony charges and possible imprisonment if he didn't pay back his car loan.

• When he contacted Chase, Ricobene claims, he was told the bank employs Universal because the company uses social networking sites and that it's an "effective collection practice." The suit accuses Universal and Chase of libel, invasion of privacy and violation of the Consumer Fraud Act, and asks for more than $150,000 in damages.

Source: Man sues bank over threatening MySpace messages.

For the lawsuit, see Ricobene v. JP Morgan Chase Bank, Universal Tracing Services.

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In Martinsburg, West Virginia, The West Virginia Record reports:

• A Berkeley County couple is suing a Pennsylvania law firm, two of its employees and a Florida company over alleged illegal phone calls the law firm made to the couple's house in an attempt to collect a debt from them. Linc and Eileen Beers filed suit March 10 in federal court against the Law Office of Thomas Landis, Thomas Lanis, Paul Kenwood and Oliphant Financial.

• The Beers say Kenwood, who works for the Law Office of Thomas Landis, called them repeatedly throughout May and June on behalf of Oliphant in an attempt to collect debt the Beers owed to Oliphant.During the phone calls, Kenwood accused Eileen Beers of being a "foreigner" and "stealing company money," the suit states. In some of his calls, Kenwood would use profane language, calling the Beers "[*]ucking liars" and "thieves," according to the complaint.

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• In the five-count suit, the Beers are seeking $4,392.96 in statutory damages, $10,000 in actual damages for each incident, unspecified punitive damages, a correction of their credit report, a cancellation of their debt, attorney's fees and other relief the court deems just.

For the story, see Couple sues law firm, others over collection calls.