Angleton woman sues collection agency over abusive tactics

GALVESTON � An Angleton woman alleges a collection agency engaged in harassment and abusive tactics, recent court documents say.

Angela Blanks' lawsuit against Certified Recovery Systems Inc. argues the company broke state and federal laws when it contacted Blanks at her workplace about her alleged debt to Ace Cash Express.

The suit was filed April 7 in the Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas.

Blanks states she talked to a CRS representative named Richard, who allegedly "failed to inform her that the communication was an attempt to collect a debt and everything she said would be used for that purpose."

She adds Richard refused to provide her with CRS's mailing address and made a conference call to her co-worker as the conversation progressed.

"During the conference call, Richard stated that Angela was under investigation for fraud," the suit says.

It contends CRS failed to inform Blanks of her rights under the state and federal laws by written correspondence within five days after the initial communication, including the right to dispute the debt.

Blanks says "she suffered and continues to suffer from humiliation, anger, anxiety, emotional distress, fear, frustration and embarrassment."

Consequently, she seeks a minimum of $1,000 in damages as well as a jury trial.

Lemberg & Associates L.L.C. is representing the plaintiff, and U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt is presiding over the case.

Case No. 3:11-cv-00171