Published: Friday, February 20, 2009
Everett debt collector accused of calling consumers 'deadbeats,' 'lowlifes'
EVERETT - An Everett debt collector is being sued for allegedly harassing and threatening consumers and calling them names such as "loser,” "scum,” “plight on society,” “no good,” “lowlife,” “deadbeat,” “worthless,” or “terrible parents."
The Attorney General’s Office says the practices by representatives of Topco Financial Services, Inc., is abuse and illegal.
It’s also the type of unfair business practice that can make it harder for legitimate collectors who play by the rules to do their job, according to the state agency.
“With many consumers in financial crisis, collection agencies are busier than ever,” said Assistant Attorney General Shannon Smith, of the Consumer Protection Division. “While they have a right to try to collect on debts that you legitimately owe, they must treat consumers fairly and cannot bully, inundate you with harassing phone calls or lie about what will happen if you don’t pay a bill.”
“Even though they provide an important service for businesses, collection agencies get a bad rap because nobody likes to be on the receiving end of the call,” Attorney General Rob McKenna said. “Unfortunately, it only takes a few bad collectors to generate a lot of complaints.”
Topco Financial’s clients include towing companies. The company employs individuals to collect on the original towing or impound fees, plus 12 percent interest. The Attorney General’s Office has received more than 120 complaints about the company since the beginning of 2005 from residents of Washington and a handful of other states. The business has an “F” rating with the Better Business Bureau.
The state’s complaint submitted today to Snohomish County Superior Court accuses the company, its president and secretary-treasurer of violating the state’s Consumer Protection Act.
The Attorney General’s Office says the practices by representatives of Topco Financial Services, Inc., is abuse and illegal.
It’s also the type of unfair business practice that can make it harder for legitimate collectors who play by the rules to do their job, according to the state agency.
“With many consumers in financial crisis, collection agencies are busier than ever,” said Assistant Attorney General Shannon Smith, of the Consumer Protection Division. “While they have a right to try to collect on debts that you legitimately owe, they must treat consumers fairly and cannot bully, inundate you with harassing phone calls or lie about what will happen if you don’t pay a bill.”
“Even though they provide an important service for businesses, collection agencies get a bad rap because nobody likes to be on the receiving end of the call,” Attorney General Rob McKenna said. “Unfortunately, it only takes a few bad collectors to generate a lot of complaints.”
Topco Financial’s clients include towing companies. The company employs individuals to collect on the original towing or impound fees, plus 12 percent interest. The Attorney General’s Office has received more than 120 complaints about the company since the beginning of 2005 from residents of Washington and a handful of other states. The business has an “F” rating with the Better Business Bureau.
The state’s complaint submitted today to Snohomish County Superior Court accuses the company, its president and secretary-treasurer of violating the state’s Consumer Protection Act.
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