HOUSTON—A Brazos County woman is suing a debt collection company over claims it falsely represented the amount of an outstanding debt.
Anne Turnage filed a lawsuit Jan. 5 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas Houston Division against National Credit Systems Inc., alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
The suit claims the defendant has made several attempts to collect a residential lease debt allegedly owed by Turnage to Harbor Group Management Company.
Specifically, in November 2015, the defendant allegedly informed Turnage she owed an outstanding balance of $4,045.16, which included an "early termination fee" of $1,840 and a "notice fee" of $1,840. Turnage informed the defendant that she disputed the debt balance, as she was never contractually obligated to pay an "early termination fee" or a "notice fee," but was only obligated to pay an early move out fee of $782, plus late fees and outstanding rent, resulting in a total amount of $1,375.
The suit claims the defendant represented the incorrect balance to several credit reporting agencies, and also told Turnage that it would mark her account as "refusal to pay."
As a result of the defendant's alleged FDCPA violations, Turnage has suffered personal humiliation, embarrassment, mental anguish and emotional distress.
Turnage seeks actual compensatory damages, statutory damages, and attorney fees and costs. She is represented by attorney Leroy B. Scott of SmithMarco in Dallas.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas Houston Division Case number 4:16-CV-00018