State & Local Actions* | November 4, 2015

* Additional non-public actions were taken by Operation Collection Protection state partners.
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

Attorneys General from 47 States & the District of Columbia

Chase Bank, USA N.A. and 

Chase Bankcard Services, 

Inc. 

(Newark, Delaware)

(Washington DC and in 47 

states)

Administrative Action:

47 State Attorneys General and 

the DC Attorney General joined 

the CFPB and the OCC in bring 

administrative actions against 

Chase Bank for selling credit 

card debt buyers with inaccurate 

information used to collect debts 

and for robo-signing inaccurate 

affidavits and sworn pleadings.

July 8, 2015:

50 Separate Administrative 

Orders Issued

Ordered Chase Bank to cease 

collecting on 528,000 accounts; 

pay $50 million in refunds to 

consumers; confirm debts 

before selling to debt buyers; 

not sell debts with inadequate 

documentation; require its debt 

buyers not to resell accounts; 

notify consumers when their 

debts are sold and make their 

account information available 

to them; withdraw, dismiss, or 

terminate all collection 

litigation filed after 1/1/09; 

cease robo-signing affidavits; 

verify debts before filing 

lawsuits; and pay $105 million 

to the 47 states and DC, $30 

million in civil penalties to the 

CFPB, and $30 million to the 

OCC.

Attorneys General from:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, 

Arkansas, Colorado, 

Connecticut, Delaware, 

District of Columbia,

Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, 

Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, 

Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, 

Louisiana, Maine, 

Maryland, Massachusetts, 

Michigan, Minnesota, 

Missouri, Montana, 

Nebraska, Nevada, New 

Hampshire, New Jersey, 

New Mexico, New York, 

North Carolina, North 

Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, 

Oregon, Pennsylvania, 

Rhode Island, South 

Carolina, South Dakota, 

Tennessee, Texas, Utah, 

Vermont, Virginia, 

Washington, West 

Virginia, Wisconsin

&

Consumer Financial 

Protection Bureau & Office 

of the Comptroller of the 

Currency

(actions taken jointly)

CFPB Press Release:

http://www.consumerf

inance.gov/newsroom/

cfpb-47-states-and-dc-take-action-againstjpmorgan-chase-forselling-bad-creditcard-debt-and-robosigning-courtdocuments/
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

Arizona

Cavalry Portfolio Services, 

LLC

(Valhalla, New York)

(State of Arizona)

Administrative Action:

Alleged violations of Arizona 

Statutes and Arizona 

Administrative Code, including 

failure to validate debts. 

March 30, 2015:

Consent Order Issued

Provides for a $175,000 civil 

money penalty and enjoins the 

company from further 

violations.

Arizona Department of 

Financial Institutions

Mike Fowler

(602) 771-2781

Consent Order:

http://azdfi.gov/Consu

mers/PublicRecords/F

orms/Consent/Order%

20Cavalry%20Portfoli

o%20Services_Conse

nt.pdf
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

California

People of the State of 

California v. Heald College, 

LLC et al.

(Santa Ana, California)

(Superior Court of 

California, San Francisco

County)

Civil lawsuit:

Seeking permanent injunction, 

equitable monetary relief, and 

civil penalties against for-profit 

schools for, among other things, 

engaging in unfair debt 

collection activities including 

pulling students from class to 

collect late loan payments, and 

barring students behind on their

payments from attending class,

externships, and educational 

programs.

October 10, 2013: 

Complaint filed

April 27, 2015:

Thirty Corinthian Colleges Inc. 

campuses, including Heald, 

Wyotech, and Everest 

Colleges, closed as a result of 

California Attorney General’s 

collective effort with the U.S. 

Department of Education and 

other federal partners and sister 

states; 24 of these campuses 

were in California. Based in 

part on the California AG’s 

investigation, the Department 

of Education has concluded 

that Heald Colleges 

misrepresented job placement 

rates for many of its programs 

between 2010 and 2014, and 

therefore is allowing eligible 

students to discharge their 

loans through a simple 

streamlined attestation form.

 

May 4, 2015:

Corinthian filed for 

bankruptcy. Liquidation plan 

was confirmed in August 2015.

Case Pending

California Attorney 

General

Kristin Ford

(415) 703-5837

Press Release:

https://www.oag.ca.go

v/corinthian
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

The People of the State of 

California v. JPMorgan 

Chase & Co., Chase Bank 

USA, N.A., and Chase 

BankCard Services, Inc.

(Newark, Delaware)

(Superior Court of 

California, Los Angeles 

County)

Civil Lawsuit:

Civil lawsuit alleging collection 

violations against tens of 

thousands of California 

consumers in connection with its 

credit-card debt-collection 

lawsuits and sale of consumer 

credit-card debt.

May 9, 2013:

Complaint filed

November 2, 2015:

Stipulated judgment filed

Supplementing the nationwide 

relief in the multistate 

settlement between Chase and 

47 states, and the settlements 

with the CFPB and the OCC, 

the California settlement 

includes an enforceable 

stipulated judgment and 

resolves violations of 

California’s Rosenthal Fair 

Debt Collection Practices Act 

(Civil Code section 1788 et 

seq,) related to improper prelitigation attorney demand 

letters, as well as privacy 

violations and violations of the 

Servicemembers Civil Relief 

Act, 50 USC Appendix section 

501 et seq., and California 

Military and Veterans Code 

section 400 et seq. The 

judgment includes $50 million 

in civil penalties and other 

payments to California, and 

additional injunctive and 

monetary relief focused on 

servicemembers.

California Attorney 

General

Kristin Ford, 

(415) 703-5837

Press release:

http://oag.ca.gov/news

/pressreleases/attorneygeneral-kamala-dharris-announcessettlement-jpmorganchase-unlawful
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

Colorado

In the Matter of

Veldos, LLC

(Ramsey, New Jersey)

(Denver, Colorado)

Administrative Action:

Unlicensed debt collection.

January 9, 2015:

Stipulation and Final Agency 

Order – provides for $6000 in 

penalties and injunctive relief.

Colorado Attorney General Roger Hudson

(720) 508-6553

Copy of Order:

www.coloradoattorne

ygeneral.gov/ca 

In the Matter of

Midland Credit 

Management, Inc.

(San Diego, California)

(Denver, Colorado)

Administrative Action:

Disciplinary action and fines for 

violations of the Colorado 

FDCPA.

February 2, 2015:

Stipulation and Final Agency 

Order – provides for $23,000 

in penalty and injunctive relief.

Colorado Attorney General Roger Hudson

(720) 508-6553

Copy of Order:

www.coloradoattorne

ygeneral.gov/ca

State of Colorado v. 

Accurate Financial Partners 

Inc., and Jason M. Bure

(Fort Collins, Colorado) 

(District Court Denver, City 

and County of Denver)

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking injunctive relief, civil 

penalties and alleging violations 

of the Colorado FDCPA and the 

Colorado Consumer Protection 

Act.

August 13, 2014:

Complaint filed

February 18, 2015:

Consent Judgment Entered –

Provides for injunctive relief 

and $200,000 civil penalty.

Colorado Attorney General Roger Hudson

(720) 508-6553

Copy of Order:

www.coloradoattorne

ygeneral.gov/ca

In the Matter of Ace 

Adjustment Inc. 

(Colorado Springs, 

Colorado)

(Denver, Colorado)

Administrative Action:

Seeking revocation of collection 

agency license and fines 

alleging violations of the 

Colorado FDCPA.

February 19, 2015:

Notice of Charges filed

July 17, 2015:

Final Agency Order –

$93,000 in civil penalties and 

revocation of license.

Colorado Attorney General Roger Hudson

(720) 508-6553

Copy of Order:

www.coloradoattorne

ygeneral.gov/ca
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

Julie Ann Meade, 

Administrator v. P.C. Legal 

Services LLC and Mike 

Harden

(Aurora, Colorado)

(District Court Denver, City 

and County of Denver)

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking injunctive relief, civil 

penalties and alleging violations 

of the Colorado FDCPA.

March 23, 2015:

Complaint filed

May 14, 2015:

Default Judgment entered 

against P.C. Legal and 

$613,000 civil penalties.

October 13, 2015: 

Default Judgment entered 

against Harden.

Colorado Attorney General Roger Hudson

(720) 508-6553

Copy of Order:

www.coloradoattorne

ygeneral.gov/ca

State of Colorado v. 

Emerald Canyon Capital, 

LLC, Jason Cohencious, 

and Charles R. Joy, Jr.

(Fort Collins, Colorado)

(District Court Denver, City 

and County of Denver)

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking injunctive relief, civil 

penalties and alleging violations 

of the Colorado FDCPA and the 

Colorado Consumer Protection 

Act.

August 20, 2014:

Complaint filed

March 31, 2015:

Consent Judgment Entered –

Provides for injunctive relief 

and $100,000 civil penalty.

Colorado Attorney General Roger Hudson

(720) 508-6553

Copy of Order:

www.coloradoattorne

ygeneral.gov/ca

State of Colorado v. 

Oakwood Financial 

Affiliates, LLC

(Fort Collins, Colorado)

(District Court Denver, City 

and County of Denver)

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking injunctive relief, civil 

penalties and alleging violations 

of the Colorado FDCPA and the 

Colorado Consumer Protection 

Act.

August 20, 2014:

Complaint filed

April 29, 2015:

Consent Judgment Entered –

Provides for injunctive relief 

and $125,000 civil penalty.

Colorado Attorney General Roger Hudson

(720) 508-6553

Copy of Order:

www.coloradoattorne

ygeneral.gov/ca
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

In the Matter of

Alpha Recovery Corp.

(Greenwood Village, 

Colorado)

(Denver, Colorado)

Administrative Action: 

Violations of the Colorado Fair 

Debt Collection Practices Act.

May 8, 2015:

Stipulation and Final Agency 

Order Entered – Provides for 

injunctive relief and $6,000 

administrative fine.

Colorado Attorney General Roger Hudson

(720) 508-6553

Copy of Order:

www.coloradoattorne

ygeneral.gov/ca

Julie Ann Meade, 

Administrator v. Peak 

Resolution, Daniel Crane 

and Christopher Hagerman

(Denver, Colorado)

(District Court Denver, City 

and County of Denver)

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking injunctive relief, civil 

penalties and alleging 

unlicensed debt collection and 

violations of the Colorado 

FDCPA.

May 8, 2015:

Complaint filed

May 27, 2015:

Order entering Preliminary 

Injunction 

Case Pending

Colorado Attorney General Roger Hudson

(720) 508-6553

Copy of Order:

www.coloradoattorne

ygeneral.gov/ca

In the Matter of

Glass Mountain Capital, 

LLC

(Schaumburg, Illinois)

(Denver, Colorado)

Administrative Action: 

Violations of the Colorado 

FDCPA.

June 18, 2015:

Stipulation and Final Agency 

Order Entered – Provides for 

injunctive relief and $39,000 

administrative fine.

Colorado Attorney General Roger Hudson

(720) 508-6553

Copy of Order:

www.coloradoattorne

ygeneral.gov/ca

In the Matter of

Westhill Exchange, LLC

(Aurora, Colorado)

(Denver, Colorado)

Administrative Action: 

Unlicensed debt collection.

July 28, 2015:

Stipulation and Final Agency 

Order Entered – Provides for 

injunctive relief and $15,000 

administrative fine.

Colorado Attorney General Roger Hudson

(720) 508-6553

Copy of Order:

www.coloradoattorne

ygeneral.gov/ca
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

In the Matter of

Portfolio Recovery 

Associates, LLC

(Norfolk, Virginia)

(Denver, Colorado)

Administrative Action: 

Violations of the Colorado 

FDCPA.

August 18, 2015:

Two Stipulation and Final 

Agency Orders Entered –

Provides for injunctive relief 

and $33,000 administrative 

fine.

Colorado Attorney General Roger Hudson

(720) 508-6553

Copy of Order:

www.coloradoattorne

ygeneral.gov/ca

In the Matter of

Precise Collections, LLC

(Westminster, Colorado)

(Denver, Colorado)

Administrative Action: 

Violations of the Colorado 

FDCPA.

September 14, 2015:

Stipulation and Final Agency 

Order Entered – Provides for 

injunctive relief and $7,500 

administrative fine.

Colorado Attorney General Roger Hudson

(720) 508-6553

Copy of Order:

www.coloradoattorne

ygeneral.gov/ca

In the Matter of

Perfection Collection LLC

(Orem, Utah)

(Denver, Colorado)

Administrative Action: 

Unlicensed debt collection and 

violations of the Colorado 

FDCPA.

September 23, 2015:

Stipulation and Final Agency 

Order Entered – Provides for 

injunctive relief and $5,000 

administrative fine.

Colorado Attorney General Roger Hudson

(720) 508-6553

Copy of Order:

www.coloradoattorne

ygeneral.gov/ca

In the Matter of

Atlantic Recovery Solutions 

LLC

(Amherst, New York)

(Denver, Colorado)

Administrative Action: 

Violations of the Colorado 

FDCPA.

September 29, 2015:

Stipulation and Final Agency 

Order Entered – Provides for 

injunctive relief and $10,000 

administrative fine.

Colorado Attorney General Roger Hudson

(720) 508-6553

Copy of Order:

www.coloradoattorne

ygeneral.gov/ca

In the Matter of

Cavalry Portfolio, LLC

(Valhalla, New York)

(Denver, Colorado)

Administrative Action: 

Violations of the Colorado 

FDCPA.

October 5, 2015:

Stipulation and Final Agency 

Order Entered – Provides for 

injunctive relief and $17,385

administrative fine.

Colorado Attorney General Roger Hudson

(720) 508-6553

Copy of Order:

www.coloradoattorne

ygeneral.gov/ca
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

In the Matter of

Georgia Receivables Inc., 

Frederick J. Hanna

(Marietta, Georgia)

(Denver, Colorado)

Administrative Action: 

Denial of license renewal 

application.

October 20, 2015:

Final Agency Order –

denying application.

Colorado Attorney General Roger Hudson

(720) 508-6553

Copy of Order:

www.coloradoattorne

ygeneral.gov/ca

Connecticut

Southwestern Investors 

Group, LLC

(Hamburg, New York)

(State of Connecticut)

Consent Order In Lieu of 

Administrative Action:

Settling allegations that the 

company acted as a consumer 

collection agency in Connecticut 

without a license in violation of 

§ 36a-801(a) of the Connecticut 

General Statutes. 

January 20, 2015:

Consent Order Entered

Provides for $2,500 civil 

penalty, $500 back licensing 

fee, and refunds of all money 

collected from Connecticut 

consumers.

Connecticut Department of 

Banking

Kathleen E. Titsworth

(860) 240-8176

Consent Order:

http://www.ct.gov/dob

/cwp/view.asp?a=224

6&q=559884

Hatfield Portfolio Group 

LLC f/k/a Harbinger 

Processing Group LLC

(Getzville, New York)

(State of Connecticut)

Administrative Action:

Alleging company collected 

debts in Connecticut since 2009 

without a license in violation of 

§ 36a-801(a) of the Connecticut 

General Statutes and failed to 

appear at a hearing.

September 11, 2014:

Notice of Intent to Issue Order

March 2, 2015:

Order Issued

Order to Cease and Desist from 

collecting in Connecticut and 

imposing a $100,000 Civil 

Penalty.

Connecticut Department of 

Banking

Kathleen E. Titsworth

(860) 240-8176

Notice Order:

http://www.ct.gov/dob

/cwp/view.asp?a=224

6&q=552884

Order Issued:

http://www.ct.gov/dob

/cwp/view.asp?a=224

6&q=561706
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

Commercial Services 

Group, Inc. d/b/a Consumer 

Services Group, Inc.

(Louisville, Kentucky)

(State of Connecticut)

Consent Order In Lieu of 

Administrative Action:

Settling allegations that the 

company acted as a consumer 

collection agency in Connecticut 

without a license in violation of 

§ 36a-801(a) of the Connecticut 

General Statutes.

March 24, 2015:

Consent Order Entered

Provides for payment of a 

$10,000 civil penalty and

$1,400 back licensing fees.

Connecticut Department of 

Banking

Kathleen E. Titsworth

(860) 240-8176

Order Issued:

http://www.ct.gov/dob

/cwp/view.asp?a=224

6&q=563024

Educational Funding

Company, Inc.

(Chevy Chase, Maryland)

(State of Connecticut)

Administrative Action:

Alleging the company ignored 

Compliance Letter requesting 

information.

April 7, 2015:

Temporary Order to Cease 

and Desist Issued

Suspending authority to collect, 

revoking collection agency 

license, and giving notice of 

intent to impose Civil Penalty.

Connecticut Department of 

Banking

Kathleen E. Titsworth

(860) 240-8176

Order Issued:

http://www.ct.gov/dob

/cwp/view.asp?a=224

6&q=563688

Dist. of Columbia

Cashcall, Inc., WS Funding 

LLCC, and J. Paul Reddam

(Orange, California)

(District of Columbia)

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking permanent injunction, 

consumer restitution, and civil 

penalties for violations of the 

District’s debt collection law, 

D.C. Code § 28-3814(g), in 

connection with collection of 

usurious interest on internet 

loans. 

September 8, 2015:

Complaint filed

Case Pending

District of Columbia 

Attorney General

Rob Marus

(202) 724-5646
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

Collect Pros

(Burbank, California)

(District of Columbia)

Civil Investigation:

Investigating whether Collect 

Pros collects on non-existent 

debts, in violation of D.C. Code 

§ 28-3814.

September 29, 2015:

Interim Assurance of 

Voluntary Compliance

reached to temporarily restrain 

Collect Pros from collecting 

debts from DC residents. 

Investigation Pending

District of Columbia

Attorney General

Rob Marus

(202) 724-5646

Fair Collections & 

Outsourcing, Inc.

(Beltsville, Maryland)

(District of Columbia)

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking permanent injunction

against misleading debt 

verification practices and 

contacts with consumers that 

violate their privacy rights.

October 30, 2015:

Complaint filed

Case Pending

District of Columbia 

Attorney General

Rob Marus

(202) 724-5646

Florida

Allied Financial Group & 

Associates, Inc., d/b/a 

Gregory Adams & 

Associates and d/b/a 

Andrew Cohen & 

Associates, and Jose Flores

(Coral Springs, Florida)

(Miami, Florida) 

Assurance of Voluntary 

Compliance in In Lieu a Civil 

Lawsuit:

Allied attempted to collect debts 

that consumers did not owe, was 

rude and abusive, failed to 

validate debts, threatened to take 

legal action, and pretended to be 

a law office.

February 11, 2015:

Assurance of Voluntary 

Compliance Issued 

Allied is no longer in business 

and was financially unable to 

pay any fees. No consumer 

restitution was identified.

Florida Attorney General Whitney Ray

(850) 245-0150

Copy of AVC:

http://myfloridalegal.c

om/__85257A6A0052

3E7D.nsf/0/5B8AF32

D258988A685257DE

F006965EA?Open&H

ighlight=0,allied,finan

cial
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

Georgia

Desmond Humphries d/b/a 

Humphries & Associates, 

LLC

(Duluth, Georgia)

(Atlanta, Georgia)

Assurance of Voluntary 

Compliance In Lieu of 

Administrative Action:

Georgia-based 3rd-party debt 

collector allegedly threatened 

consumers nationally with legal 

action they couldn’t take, 

attempted to collect time-barred 

debt, and harassed consumers 

with repeated phone calls.

May 2015:

Assurance of Voluntary 

Compliance Entered

Company ordered to comply 

with FDCPA, especially 

provisions prohibiting 

harassment & deceptive 

representations about being 

from law enforcement/taking 

legal action, and to pay 

$12,000 in penalties, with an 

$88,000 accelerated penalty 

clause that would kick in if 

they violate again. 

Georgia Attorney General 

– Consumer Protection 

Unit

Shawn Conroy 

(404) 656-2867

Zenith Financial Group, 

LLC and owner Ernest 

Earvin

(Atlanta, Georgia)

(Atlanta, Georgia)

Assurance of Voluntary 

Compliance In Lieu of 

Administrative Action:

Georgia-based debt buyer and 

3rd-party debt collector 

allegedly attempted to collect 

time-barred debt, and attempted 

to collect payday loans in states 

where such transactions are 

illegal.

May 2015:

Assurance of Voluntary 

Compliance Entered

Company ordered to comply 

with FDCPA, especially 

provisions prohibiting 

harassment & deceptive 

representations about being 

from law enforcement/taking 

legal action, and to pay 

$15,000 in penalties with a 

$445,000 accelerated penalty 

clause if violations reoccur, and 

$3,137,809.58 in debt 

forgiveness.

Georgia Attorney General 

– Consumer Protection 

Unit

Shawn Conroy 

(404) 656-2867
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

Idaho

State of Idaho, Department 

of Finance, Consumer 

Finance Bureau v. Assigned 

Credit Solutions, Inc.

(Marlton, New Jersey)

(Boise, Idaho)

Consent Order In Lieu of 

Administrative or Civil 

Action:

Seeking civil penalties for 

violations of Idaho Code § 26-

2223 (1) (2) ICAA, collecting 

without a license.

April 28, 2015:

Consent Order Entered 

Requires third party collector 

Assigned Credit Solutions to 

pay an administrative penalty 

of $5,000 (and $500 

investigative costs). In 

response to the investigation, 

the creditor that employed 

Assigned Credit Solutions to 

collect debts forgave the debts 

of all Idaho citizens from 

whom money was collected.

Idaho Department of 

Finance

Jo Ann Lanham

(208) 332-8067

Consent Order:

http://www.finance.id

aho.gov/ConsumerFin

ance/Actions/Adminis

trative/AssignedCredit-Solutions-Inc2015-9-01-ConsentOrder.pdf

State of Idaho, Department 

of Finance, Consumer 

Finance Bureau v. Westhill 

Exchange, LLC

(Aurora, Colorado)

(Boise, Idaho)

Administrative Action:

Alleging violations of Idaho 

Code § 26-2223(1) and (2) 

ICAA; collecting without a 

license and false threats of suit 

and jail.

May 7, 2015:

Order to Cease & Desist 

Issued

Pursuant to Idaho Code 26-

2244 (1) the Respondent and its 

agents are ordered to Cease and 

Desist from acts, practices, or 

omissions which constitute a 

violation of the Act, including 

engaging in debt collection in 

Idaho. 

Idaho Department of 

Finance

Jo Ann Lanham

(208) 332-8067

Cease and Desist 

Order:

http://www.finance.id

aho.gov/ConsumerFin

ance/Actions/Adminis

trative/WesthillExchange-LLC-2015-

9-04-Order-CeaseDesist.pdf
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

State of Idaho, Department 

of Finance, Consumer 

Finance Bureau v. 

Greenberg Grant & 

Richards, Inc.

(Houston, Texas)

(Boise, Idaho)

Consent Order In Lieu of 

Administrative or Civil 

Action:

Seeking an administrative 

penalty for violations of Idaho 

Code § 26-2223(1) and (2) 

ICAA; collecting without a 

license.

May 7, 2015:

Consent Order Entered

Requires third party collector 

Greenberg Grant & Richards, 

Inc. to pay an administrative 

penalty of $1,000 (and $500 

investigative costs). 

Idaho Department of 

Finance

Jo Ann Lanham

(208) 332-8067

Consent Order:

http://www.finance.id

aho.gov/ConsumerFin

ance/Actions/Adminis

trative/GreenbergGrant-Richards-Inc2015-9-03-

Consent%20Order.pdf

State of Idaho; Department 

of Finance; Consumer 

Finance Bureau v. 

Commercial Industries 

Service Company, Inc. d/b/a 

CISCO, Inc.

(Houston, Texas)

(Boise, Idaho)

Consent Order In Lieu of 

Administrative or Civil 

Action:

Violations of Idaho Code § 26-

2223(1) and (2) ICAA; 

collecting without a license.

July 8, 2015:

Consent Order Entered

Requires third party collector

CISCO, Inc. to pay an 

administrative penalty of 

$2,000 (and $500 investigative 

costs). An application for 

licensure was approved July 8, 

2015.

Idaho Department of 

Finance

Jo Ann Lanham

(208) 332-8067

Consent Order:

http://www.finance.id

aho.gov/ConsumerFin

ance/Actions/Adminis

trative/CommercialIndustries-ServiceCompany-Inc-dbaCisco-%20Inc-2015-

9-05-ConsentOrder.pdf
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

State of Idaho; Department 

of Finance; Consumer 

Finance Bureau v. JSD 

Management, Inc. d/b/a 

James Stevens & Daniels

(Dover, Delaware)

(Boise, Idaho)

Consent Order In Lieu of 

Administrative or Civil 

Action:

Violations of Idaho Code § 26-

2223(1) and (2) ICAA; 

collecting without a license.

July 30, 2015:

Consent Order Entered

Requires third party collector

JSD Management, Inc. d/b/a 

James Stevens & Daniels to 

pay an administrative penalty 

of $2,000 (and $500 

investigative costs). An 

application for licensure was 

approved July 30, 2015.

Idaho Department of 

Finance

Jo Ann Lanham

(208) 332-8067

Consent Order:

http://www.finance.id

aho.gov/ConsumerFin

ance/Actions/Adminis

trative/JSDManagement-Inc-dbaJames-StevenDaniels-ConsentOrder.pdf

Illinois

FTC & State of Illinois v. 

K.I.P., LLC, et. al.

(Aurora, Illinois)

(Northern District of Illinois, 

Eastern Division)

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking permanent injunction 

and equitable monetary relief

against an alleged fake debt 

scam.

The Illinois AG alleged 

violations of Section 2 of the 

Illinois Consumer Fraud and 

Deceptive Business Practices 

Act, (Illinois Consumer Fraud 

Act), 815 ILCS 505/2 and 

Sections 2, 4, and 9(a) of the 

Illinois Collection Agency Act, 

225 ILCS 425/2, 225 ILCS 

425/4, and 225 ILCS 425/9(a).

April 6, 2015: 

Complaint filed

Ex parte TRO, and later, a 

preliminary injunction, with 

asset freeze, restraining order, 

and appointment of receiver 

Granted

November 3, 2015

Stipulated Final Order filed 

with the Court, banning 

defendants from the debt 

collection business, prohibiting 

defendants from making 

misrepresentations about any 

product or service, and 

imposing judgment of more 

than $6.4 million.

Illinois Attorney General

&

Federal Trade Commission

(case filed jointly)

Eileen Boyce

(312) 814-4947

Illinois Press Release:

http://www.illinoisatto

rneygeneral.gov/pressr

oom/2015_04/PLRG_

Release_41015.pdf
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

P.N. Financial, Inc. and 

Nelson Macwan

(Skokie, Illinois)

(Circuit Court of Cook 

County, Chancery Division, 

Cook County, Illinois)

Civil Lawsuit:

Alleging violations of state and 

federal debt collection and credit 

reporting laws.

January 11, 2012:

Complaint filed

May 4, 2015:

Consent Order Entered

requiring the company to shut 

down within 60 days, enjoining 

the owner from owning or 

managing another debt 

collection firm, and assessing a 

fine of $25,000.

Illinois Attorney General Eileen Boyce

(312) 814-4947

Consent available 

upon request.

Indiana

In re Gregory K. Pugh, 

Gregory K. Pugh, P.C. dba 

Dominion Asset Recovery

and EZ Payday Loans of 

America

(Virginia Beach, Virginia)

(Indianapolis, Indiana)

Civil Lawsuit: 

Alleged violations of IC 24-5-

0.5-3(a)(20), including the 

collection of stale debt and false 

threats of suit and jail. 

October 6, 2015:

Assurance of Voluntary 

Compliance Approved by 

Court 

Prohibits future consumer debt 

collection in Indiana and 

requires: (1) accounts to be 

cancelled; (2) refunds to 

consumers; and (3) a $5,500 

payment to the Consumer 

Protection Fund.

Indiana Attorney General Tom Irons

(317) 233-9923

AVC:

http://forms.indianaco

nsumer.com/cpd/docs/

enforcement/INOAG1006287-1.pdf
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

In re Dynamic Recovery 

Solutions, LLC

(Greenville, South Carolina)

(Indianapolis, Indiana)

Civil Lawsuit: 

Alleged violations of IC 24-5-

0.5-3(a)(20), including the 

collection of stale debt.

October 27, 2015:

Assurance of Voluntary 

Compliance Pending 

Approval by Court 

In collecting stale or potentially 

stale debt, company is required 

to disclose that it cannot sue on 

the debt and that if a consumer 

makes a partial payment a new 

limitations period could arise 

that would allow company to 

sue.

Indiana Attorney General Tom Irons

(317) 233-9923

AVC:

http://forms.indianaco

nsumer.com/cpd/docs/

enforcement/INOAG1006295-1.pdf

Louisiana

State of Louisiana vs. 

Stephen F. Wilson and 

Revenue Recovery & 

Investigations, LLC

(Covington, Louisiana)

(Baton Rouge, Louisiana)

Notice of Unfair Trade 

Practices pursuant to 

Louisiana Revised Statutes 

51:1401, et seq.:

Practices include failing to 

register with the Secretary of 

State as a debt collector and 

threatening criminal prosecution 

against alleged debtors. 

October 26, 2015: 

Assurance of Voluntary 

Compliance filed

AVC includes injunctive relief 

and civil penalty. 

Louisiana Attorney 

General 

Aaron Sadler

(225) 326-6761
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

Maine

ACS Collection Services

(Utica, New York)

(Augusta, Maine)

Administrative Action:

Unlicensed debt collection.

May 20, 2015:

Cease and Desist Order and 

Order for Affirmative 

Sanctions

Company was ordered to cease

all contact with Maine 

consumers until it obtained a 

debt collector’s license. 

Assessed $500 in investigatory 

costs.

Maine Bureau of 

Consumer Credit 

Protection

Will Lund, 

Superintendent

(207) 624-8527

Copy of Order:

http://www.maine.gov

/tools/whatsnew/index

.php?topic=CCRLegalDocs&id=64461

8&v=Default

Collect Pros

(Carson City, Nevada)

(Augusta, Maine)

Administrative Action: 

Collect Pros’ license was 

suspended for 30 days for failing 

to respond to multiple 

complaints filed with state 

regulators.

June 12, 2015:

Order of Suspension and for 

Affirmative Action

30-day license suspension. 

Once license reinstated, 

collector required to verify all 

debts prior to sending initial 

letter. Assessed $1,000 civil 

penalty and $500 costs of

investigation.

Maine Bureau of 

Consumer Credit 

Protection

Will Lund, 

Superintendent

(207) 624-8527

Copy of Order:

http://www.maine.gov

/tools/whatsnew/index

.php?topic=CCRLegalDocs&id=64650

2&v=Default
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

Maryland

In the Matter of P.N. 

Financial, Inc., and Nelson 

Macwan

(Lincolnwood & Skokie, 

Illinois)

(Before the Maryland State 

Collection Agency Licensing 

Board; Baltimore, Maryland)

Administrative Action:

Following issuance of a 

Summary Order to Cease and 

Desist for unlicensed collection 

activity in Maryland and

engaging in collection practices 

on illegal and usurious 

consumer loans and Order to 

Produce documents and 

information, a Final Order to 

Cease and Desist was issued.

January 15, 2015:

Summary Order Issued

October 26, 2015:

Final Order Issued to Cease 

and Desist resulting in order 

directing a monetary fine of 

$12,000 and a permanent order 

to cease and desist from 

engaging in collection activity.

Maryland Office of the 

Commissioner of Financial 

Regulation

Summar J. Goodman

(410) 230-6069

Order located at: 

http://www.dllr.state.

md.us/finance/consum

ers/enforcement.shtml

In the Matter of Heinz 

Rockwell Dunn LLC, a/k/a 

Heinz, Rockwell, Dunn, 

LLC. a/k/a Heinz Rockwell 

LLC, and Jeremy S. 

Campbell

(Bowie & Largo, Maryland)

(Before the Maryland State 

Collection Agency Licensing 

Board; Baltimore, Maryland)

Administrative Action:

Following issuance of a 

Summary Order to Cease and 

Desist for engaging in 

unlicensed activity once license 

expired and for operating from 

an unlicensed location as well as 

engaging in collection practices 

in violation of Maryland law and 

an Order to Produce documents 

and information, a Final Order 

to Cease and Desist was issued. 

March 27, 2013:

Summary Order Issued

February 4, 2015:

Final Order Issued to Cease 

and Desist resulting in order 

directing restitution to 

consumers, the dismissal of all 

pending cases, a monetary fine 

of $680,400, and a permanent 

order to cease and desist from 

engaging in collection activity.

Maryland Office of the 

Commissioner of Financial 

Regulation

Summar J. Goodman

(410) 230-6069

Order located at: 

http://www.dllr.state.

md.us/finance/consum

ers/enforcement.shtml
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

In the Matter of PRA 

Recovery a/k/a P.R. & 

Company a/k/a 

Nationwidecollection.net

(Lindenhurst, New York)

(Before the Maryland State 

Collection Agency Licensing 

Board; Baltimore, Maryland)

Administrative Action:

Following issuance of a 

Summary Order to Cease and 

Desist for engaging in 

unlicensed activity and an Order 

to Produce documents and 

information, a Final Order to 

Cease and Desist was issued.

August 16, 2013:

Summary Order Issued

February 5, 2015:

Final Order Issued to Cease 

and Desist resulting in order 

directing a monetary fine of 

$2,000 and a permanent order 

to cease and desist from 

engaging in collection activity.

Maryland Office of the 

Commissioner of Financial 

Regulation

Summar J. Goodman

(410) 230-6069

Order located at: 

http://www.dllr.state.

md.us/finance/consum

ers/enforcement.shtml

In the Matter of 

Braufmann, Leighmann & 

Associates L.L.C. d/b/a

Berlinsky, Huffman and 

Levitt and Brian Brown

(Grayson, Snelville, & 

Loganville, Georgia)

(Before the Maryland State 

Collection Agency Licensing 

Board; Baltimore, Maryland)

Administrative Action:

Summary Order to Cease and 

Desist for unlicensed collection 

activity in Maryland and 

engaging in collection practices 

on illegal and usurious 

consumer loans and Order to 

Produce documents and 

information.

June 11, 2015:

Summary Order Issued

Case Pending

Maryland Office of the 

Commissioner of Financial 

Regulation

Summar J. Goodman

(410) 230-6069

Order located at: 

http://www.dllr.state.

md.us/finance/consum

ers/enforcement.shtml
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

In the Matter of National 

Payment Relief, LLC, NPR 

Capital LLC, Alberto 

Artasanchez, and Rosalie 

Bucci

(Fort Washington & 

Plymouth Meeting ,

Pennsylvania; Perth Amboy,

New Jersey; Rockville, 

Maryland)

(Before the Maryland State 

Collection Agency Licensing 

Board; Baltimore, Maryland)

Administrative Action:

Following issuance of a 

Summary Order to Cease and 

Desist for engaging in 

unlicensed collection activity in 

Maryland and for making 

material misstatements in an 

application for a license and an

Order to Produce documents and 

information, a Settlement 

Agreement and Consent Order

was issued.

December 18, 2014:

Summary Order Issued

July 20, 2015:

Settlement Agreement and 

Consent Order Issued resulting 

in consumer restitution in the 

amount of $34,600, a 

monetary fine of $5,000, the 

surrender of license, and an 

agreement to cease collection 

activity for 1 year and until 

duly licensed thereafter.

Maryland Office of the 

Commissioner of Financial 

Regulation

Summar J. Goodman

(410) 230-6069

Order located at:

http://www.dllr.state.

md.us/finance/consum

ers/enforcement.shtml

In the Matter of Eisenburg, 

Whitman & Associates, 

LLC, Nathan P. Dixon, and 

Kevin Dowd

(Orlando, Florida)

(Before the Maryland State 

Collection Agency Licensing 

Board; Baltimore, Maryland)

Administrative Action:

Summary Order to Cease and 

Desist for unlicensed collection 

activity in Maryland and 

engaging in collection practices 

on illegal and usurious 

consumer loans and Order to 

Produce documents and 

information.

August 21, 2015:

Summary Order Issued

Case Pending

Maryland Office of the 

Commissioner of Financial 

Regulation

Summar J. Goodman

(410) 230-6069

Order located at: 

http://www.dllr.state.

md.us/finance/consum

ers/enforcement.shtml
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

In the Johnson & Johnson 

Financial Services, LLC., 

Wasserman, Saul & 

Associates, Inc., Tiffany 

Carter, Tiffany Johnson, 

a/k/a Katherine Johnson, 

and Walter Point

(Jacksonville, Fernandina 

Beach, & St. Augustine 

Florida; Austin, Texas)

(Before the Maryland State 

Collection Agency Licensing 

Board; Baltimore, Maryland)

Administrative Action:

Summary Order to Cease and 

Desist for unlicensed collection 

activity in Maryland and 

engaging in collection practices 

on illegal and usurious 

consumer loans and Order to 

Produce documents and 

information.

August 21, 2015:

Summary Order Issued

Case Pending

Maryland Office of the 

Commissioner of Financial 

Regulation

Summar J. Goodman

(410) 230-6069

Order located at: 

http://www.dllr.state.

md.us/finance/consum

ers/enforcement.shtml

Massachusetts

Franklin Collection Service, 

Inc. 

(Tupelo, Mississippi)

(State of Massachusetts)

Consent Order In Lieu of 

Administrative Action:

Settling allegations of 

substantial non-compliance with 

applicable state and federal rules 

governing debt collectors in the 

Commonwealth, including 

commingling client and 

operating funds and charging 

unauthorized and excessive fees.

April 14, 2015: 

Consent Order Entered

Provides for $2,500 civil 

penalty for commingling, and 

refunds of unauthorized 

and excessive fees collected 

from Massachusetts consumers. 

Massachusetts Division of 

Banks

Mary Gallagher

(617) 956-1500

Consent Order:

http://www.mass.gov/

ocabr/banking-andfinance/laws-andregulations/enforceme

nt-actions/2015-dobenforcementactions/franklincollection-service04142015.html
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

Delbert Services 

Corporation (also CashCall, 

Inc., Western Sky Financial, 

LLC, WS Funding, LLC 

and their owners J. Paul 

Reddam and Martin Webb)

(Las Vegas, Nevada)

(Suffolk County Superior 

Court, Boston, 

Massachusetts) 

Consent Judgment & Consent 

Order:

Settling allegations that Delbert, 

a then licensed debt collector, 

collected on illegal, high-interest 

loans, made over the internet to 

thousands of consumers by 

CashCall, Western Sky and WS 

Funding without proper license 

or registration to conduct 

business in Massachusetts.

October 26, 2015: 

Consent Judgment Entered 

Entitles more than 2,000 

borrowers to refunds totaling 

approximately $2.4 million. It 

is estimated that the settlement 

could provide more than $17 

million in debt relief to 

Massachusetts consumers.

October 27, 2015: 

Consent Order Entered 

Terminates Delbert’s Debt 

Collector License in 

Massachusetts and prohibits its 

owner, J. Paul Reddam, from 

ownership in any licensed 

entity in the future.

Massachusetts Division of 

Banks

&

Massachusetts Attorney 

General

Mary Gallagher -

MDOB

(617) 956-1500

Jillian Fennimore -

AGO

(617) 727-2543

Consent Judgment:

http://www.mass.gov/

ago/docs/press/2015/

western-sky-cashcallsettlement.pdf

Consent Order:

http://www.mass.gov/

ocabr/banking-andfinance/laws-andregulations/enforceme

nt-actions/2015-dobenforcementactions/delbert102720

15.html
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

Minnesota

In the Matter of the Debt 

Collector Registration of 

Antineta Lashun Cross

(Minnesota)

(St Paul, Minnesota)

Administrative Action:

Allegation: collector engaged in 

rude and unprofessional 

behavior in communications 

with a debtor.

December 4, 2013: 

Matter opened

January 5, 2015:

Consent Order effective date 

Action – cease and desist from 

further violations of Minnesota 

law; $250 civil penalty.

Minnesota Department of 

Commerce

Ross Corson 

(651) 539-1443

Consumer Recovery Group

(Cincinnati, Ohio)

(St Paul, Minnesota)

Administrative Action:

Allegations – that respondent 

engaged in unlicensed debt 

collection activity in Minnesota 

and attempted to collect a loan 

which had already been paid.

January 28, 2014:

Matter opened

January 29, 2015:

Cease and Desist Notice and 

Notice to Hearing Issued

Minnesota Department of 

Commerce

Ross Corson 

(651) 539-1443

In the Matter of the 

Unlicensed Debt Collection 

Activities of Matthews, 

Middleton & Associates

(Lockport, New York)

(St Paul, Minnesota)

Findings of Fact &

Conclusions of Law:

Respondent is not licensed by 

the Department, and attempted 

to collect debt from a Minnesota 

consumer, whereby they 

provided false and misleading 

statements in conjunctions with 

debt collection activities; the 

Respondent failed to respond to 

Department requests for 

information; respondent 

communicated in a deceptive 

and misleading manner.

March 11, 2014:

Matter opened

April 23, 2015:

Final Order Entered

Order provides for a civil 

penalty of $7,500.

Minnesota Department of 

Commerce

Ross Corson 

(651) 539-1443
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

In the Matter of Collection 

Agency United Resource 

Systems, Inc.

(Lakewood, Colorado)

(St Paul, Minnesota)

Administrative Action:

Allegations - Agency conducted 

collection activities without 

having a current collection 

agency license; failed to register 

individual debt collectors; and 

failed to provide the required 

state disclosure on the dunning 

notices.

February 11, 2015:

Matter opened

April 30, 2015:

Consent Order Issued

Order to cease and desist from 

collection activity until 

licensed; $20,000 civil penalty, 

with a portion stayed pending 

licensure within 60 days of the 

order.

Minnesota Department of 

Commerce

Ross Corson 

(651) 539-1443

Rent Recovery of Better 

NOI, Inc.

(Wood Dale, Illinois)

(St Paul, Minnesota)

Administrative Action:

Allegations – that Respondent 

failed to properly register their 

collectors and allowed them to 

contact Minnesota debtors.

April 11, 2015:

Matter opened

June 25, 2015:

Civil Penalty Agreement

Minnesota Department of 

Commerce

Ross Corson 

(651) 539-1443

SKO Brenner American Inc.

(Farmingdale, New York)

(St. Paul, Minnesota)

Administrative Action:

Allegation – conducted 

collection activity from an 

unlicensed location.

February 27, 2014:

Matter opened

April 30, 2015: 

Civil Penalty Agreement

Agreement provides for a civil 

penalty of $5,000.

Minnesota Department of 

Commerce

Ross Corson

(651) 539-1443
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

Accounts Receivable 

Services, LLC

(Minneapolis, Minnesota)

(St Paul, Minnesota)

Administrative Action:

Allegations – that Respondent 

failed to respond to the 

Department’s requests for 

information, and failed to do so 

in a timely manner.

November 15, 2014

Matter opened

June 27, 2015:

Civil Penalty Agreement

Agreement provides for a civil 

penalty of $2,500.

Minnesota Department of 

Commerce

Ross Corson 

(651) 539-1443

Tucker, Albin & Associates

(Richardson, Texas)

(St Paul, Minnesota)

Administrative Action:

Allegations: (1) Respondent 

violated Truth in Caller ID Act 

by spoofing phone calls to 

debtors in attempts to collect 

debts (used phone numbers of 

parents, girlfriends, local hotels 

& businesses). (2) Respondent 

trained its collectors to lie,

claiming to be private 

investigators. (3) Respondent 

trained its collectors to threaten 

actions it either could not or 

would not take, like freeze 

assets, report debts to the IRS, 

have professional licenses 

revoked, and hire local people to 

protest their business with signs 

saying they do not pay their 

debts.

July 30, 2014:

Matter opened

July 7, 2015:

Cease and Desist Consent 

Order effective date

Respondent agreed to retrain 

all personnel, rewrite all 

manuals and collection notices, 

report all complaints for one 

year, cease further violations, 

and pay a $500,000 fine. 

$250,000 of the fine stayed 

pending no further violations.

Minnesota Department of 

Commerce

Ross Corson 

(651) 539-1443

Press Release:

http://mn.gov/commer

ce/media/newsdetail.js

p?id=206-167345
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

In the Matter of debt 

collector registration of 

Nicole Edwards

(Minnesota)

(St Paul, Minnesota)

Administrative Action:

Allegations: Respondent used 

unfair or unconscionable means 

to collect or attempt to collect a 

debt by asking a third party that 

“if there was an emergency with 

a consumer’s children, how 

would get ahold of her?” By 

doing so, Respondent is in 

violation of Minn. Stat. § 332.37 

(12), (2014).

January 6, 2015:

Matter opened

July 15, 2015:

Cease and Desist/Consent 

Order Issued

Action – cease and desist from 

further violations of Minnesota 

law; $250 civil penalty.

Minnesota Department of

Commerce

Ross Corson 

(651) 539-1443

American Credit Bureau, 

Inc.

(Boca Raton, Florida)

(St Paul, Minnesota)

Findings of Fact & 

Conclusions of Law:

Respondent threatened to take 

unauthorized actions which were 

abusive and harassing to a 

debtor; they were unlicensed to 

do collect in MN; and failed to 

respond to the Department’s 

investigation. 

June 30, 2014:

Matter opened

October 8, 2015:

Final Order Entered

Order provides for a civil 

penalty of $10,000.

Minnesota Department of 

Commerce

Ross Corson 

(651) 539-1443

SKO Brenner American Inc.

(Farmingdale, New York)

(St. Paul, Minnesota)

Administrative Action:

Allegation – conducted 

collection activity from an 

unlicensed location.

September 2, 2015:

Matter opened

October 28, 2015: 

Civil Penalty Agreement

Agreement provides for a civil 

penalty of $5,000.

Minnesota Department of 

Commerce

Ross Corson

(651) 539-1443
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

State of Minnesota v. United 

Credit Recovery, LLC

(Sanford, Florida)

(Minnesota State Court in 

Hennepin County)

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking injunctive relief and 

civil penalties against a Florida

debt buyer that purchased 

millions of charged-off 

consumer accounts from large 

banks, and then manufactured 

on a mass scale fraudulent

affidavits to assist with

collection of the alleged debts. 

The company used a computer

mail-merge program to cut and 

paste notarized signatures of 

bank officials from other 

documents onto fraudulent 

affidavits, which it then 

disseminated to consumers, 

courts, and other debt buyers as 

“proof” of the alleged debts.

October 30, 2013: 

Complaint filed

November 6, 2014: 

Summary Judgment entered 

against the company in 

Minnesota’s civil action, 

permanently enjoining the 

company from doing business 

in Minnesota and awarding a 

monetary judgment of $1.5 

million against the company.

October 30, 2015: 

Monetary judgment of $1.5 

million against the company in 

Minnesota’s civil action filed 

with the Seminole County 

Circuit Court in Florida. 

Minnesota Attorney 

General

Benjamin Wogsland

(651) 296-2069

State of Minnesota v. 

Jeremy M. Umland and 

Terrill Joseph Jasicki dba 

TJ Process Service

(Wadena, Minnesota)

(Minnesota State Court in 

Koochiching County)

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking injunctive relief, civil 

penalties, and restitution against 

a Minnesota process serving 

company (TJ Process Service) 

and one of its servers (Jeremy 

Umland) for falsely claiming in 

affidavits of service that 

individuals were served with 

debt collection lawsuits, 

resulting in default judgments 

against individuals who were 

not actually served with

lawsuits.

November 6, 2014: 

Complaint filed

October 2015:

Stipulated orders filed in six 

Minnesota counties for 

vacation of over $1 million in 

default judgments obtained 

against Minnesota consumers 

in debt collection actions that 

were filed with purported 

affidavits of service bearing the 

signature of Defendant Jeremy 

Umland.

Minnesota Attorney 

General

Benjamin Wogsland

(651) 296-2069

Press Release:

http://www.ag.state.m

n.us/Office/PressRelea

se/20141106SewerSer

vice.asp
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

Missouri

Martin A. Webb, aka Butch 

Webb, Payday Financial, 

LLC d/b/a Lakota Cash 

d/b/a Big Sky Cash, 24-7 

Cash Direct, L.L.C., Great 

Sky Finance, LLC, 

Financial Solutions, LLC, 

d/b/a Lakota Cash, High 

Country Ventures, LLC, 

Management Systems, LLC, 

d/b/a Gsky, Red River 

Ventures, LLC, Red Stone 

Financial, LLC, Western 

Capital, LLC, and Western 

Sky Financial, LLC

(South Dakota)

(St. Louis County, Missouri)

Civil Lawsuit: 

Alleging violations of Missouri 

Consumer Protection Act, 

Chapter 407, RSMo pertaining 

to collections activity.

February 5, 2015:

Consent Judgment Entered

Prohibits debt making, 

servicing, or collecting loans to 

Missouri residents.

Missouri Attorney General Nanci Gonder

(573) 751-5272
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

Nevada

Collect Pros, LLC

(Pacoima, California)

(Carson City, Nevada)

Administrative Action:

Alleging company collected

debts in Nevada without a 

license.

May 28, 2015:

Order Issued

Order to Cease and Desist from 

collecting debts in Nevada.

October 14, 2015:

Settlement Agreement 

entered prohibiting unlicensed 

debt collection in Nevada and 

providing for a $10,000 

administrative fine. 

Nevada Financial 

Institutions Division

Teri Williams

(702) 486-0407

Press Release:

http://business.nv.gov/

News_Media/Press_R

eleases/2015/Financial

_Institions/Nevada_Fi

nancial_Institutions_D

ivision_issues_Cease_

and_Desist_Order_to_

Collect_Pros,_LLC/

New Mexico

CFS2, Inc.

(Tulsa, Oklahoma)

(Santa Fe, New Mexico)

Administrative Action:

License application denied for 

violations of the New Mexico 

Collection Agency Regulatory 

Act §61-18A-1 NMSA 1978. 

July 22, 2015:

Notice of Contemplated 

Action To Deny Renewal of 

License

October 9, 2015:

Order Denying Renewal of 

License

New Mexico Regulation & 

Licensing Department, 

Financial Institutions 

Division 

David Mora

(505) 476-4569

Order Issued:

http://www.rld.state.n

m.us/financialinstituti

ons/Collection_Agenc

ies_Managers_and_Re

possessors.aspx
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

New York

FTC & People of the State 

of New York v. Vantage 

Point Services, LLC et. al.

(Buffalo, New York)

(Western District of New 

York, Buffalo Division)

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking permanent injunction 

and equitable monetary 

relief. Alleged violations of 

Section 5 of the FTC Act, 

various sections of the FDCPA 

(15 U.S.C. §§ 1692(c) & (e)-

(g)), and analogous NY state 

laws.

January 5, 2015: 

Complaint filed 

Ex parte TRO with asset 

freeze, restraining order, and 

appointment of receiver 

Granted

Case Pending

New York Attorney 

General

&

Federal Trade Commission

(case filed jointly)

Mitchell J. Katz-FTC

(202) 326-2161

FTC Press Release:

http://www.ftc.gov/ne

ws-events/pressreleases/2015/02/ftcnew-york-attorneygeneral-crack-downabusive-debtcollectors

People of the State of New 

York v. Encore Capital 

Group, Inc.

(San Diego, California)

(New York, New York)

Settlement In Lieu of Civil

Lawsuit:

Alleges major debt buyer filed

time-barred debt collection 

actions and “robosigned” 

affidavits submitted to the court

without possessing the required 

personal knowledge.

January 9, 2015:

Settlement Reached enjoining 

illegal activity, requiring 

certain disclosures in oral and 

written communications, 

requiring the company to move 

to vacate more than 4,500 

improperly obtained judgments 

totaling nearly $18 million, and 

requiring the payment of 

$675,000 in penalties.

New York Attorney 

General

Melissa Grace 

(212) 416-6027

Press Release:

http://www.ag.ny.gov/

press-release/agschneiderman-obtainssettlement-majordebt-buyer-who-filedthousands-time-barred
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

FTC & People of the State 

of New York v. 4 Star 

Resolution LLC et. al.

(Buffalo, New York)

(Western District of New 

York, Buffalo Division)

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking permanent injunction 

and equitable monetary 

relief. Alleged violations of 

Section 5 of the FTC Act, 

various sections of the FDCPA 

(15 U.S.C. §§ 1692(c) & (e)-

(g)), and analogous NY state 

laws.

February 9, 2015: 

Complaint filed 

Ex parte TRO with asset 

freeze, restraining order, and 

appointment of receiver 

Granted

Case Pending

New York Attorney 

General

&

Federal Trade Commission

(case filed jointly)

Mitchell J. Katz-FTC

(202) 326-2161

FTC Press Release:

http://www.ftc.gov/ne

ws-events/pressreleases/2015/02/ftcnew-york-attorneygeneral-crack-downabusive-debtcollectors

People of the State of New 

York v. Med-Rev 

Recoveries, Inc.

(Liverpool, New York)

(Syracuse, New York)

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking permanent injunction 

and monetary relief for alleged 

violations of the Fair Debt 

Collection Practices Act, the 

NYS Debt Collection Practices 

Act, and the New York State’s 

General Business Law.

February 11, 2015: 

Complaint filed

July 6, 2015:

Court order obtained

permanently barring the 

company from operating as a 

debt collector in New York and 

requiring payment of $550,000

for consumer restitution, civil 

penalties and costs.

New York Attorney 

General

Melissa Grace 

(212) 416-6027

Press Release:

http://www.ag.ny.gov/

press-release/agschneidermanannounces-550ksettlement-agreementshutter-debtcollection-company

People of the State of New 

York v. Asta Funding, Inc.

(Englewood Cliffs, New 

Jersey)

(New York, New York)

Settlement In Lieu of Civil

Lawsuit:

Alleges debt buyer filed timebarred debt collection actions

and permitted its employees to 

sign affidavits outside the 

presence of a notary (e.g. bulk 

notarization).

April 15, 2015:

Settlement Reached enjoining

illegal activity, requiring 

certain disclosures in oral and 

written communications, 

requiring the company to move 

to vacate more than 300 

improperly obtained judgments 

totaling nearly $1.7 million,

and requiring the payment of 

$100,000 in penalties.

New York Attorney 

General

Melissa Grace 

(212) 416-6027

Press Release:

http://www.ag.ny.gov/

press-release/agschneiderman-obtainssettlement-fourthdebt-buyer-vacating17m-improperlyobtained
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

FTC & People of the State 

of New York v. Kelly S. 

Brace, et al.

(Buffalo, New York)

(Western District of New 

York, Buffalo Division)

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking permanent injunction 

and equitable monetary relief. 

Alleged violations of Section 5 

of the FTC Act, various sections 

of the FDCPA (15 U.S.C. §§ 

1692(c)-(e) & (g), and 

analogous New York State laws.

October 5, 2015:

Complaint Filed

TRO with asset freeze and 

restraining order Granted

Stipulated Preliminary 

Injunction with a ban from debt 

collecting and asset freeze 

So Ordered

Case Pending

New York Attorney 

General

&

Federal Trade Commission

(case filed jointly)

Frank Dorman-FTC

(202) 326-2674
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

FTC & People of the State 

of New York v. National 

Check Registry et al.

(Buffalo, New York)

(Western District of New 

York)

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking permanent injunction 

and equitable monetary relief for 

allegedly violating Section 5 of 

the FTC Act, various sections of 

the FDCPA, and analogous New 

York State laws.

July 21, 2014:

Complaint filed, ex parte TRO, 

and later, a preliminary 

injunction, with asset freeze, 

restraining order, and 

appointment of receiver 

Granted

October 16, 2015:

Stipulated Final Order 

Entered banning defendants 

from debt collection, 

prohibiting misrepresentations 

about any product or service, 

and imposing judgments 

totaling more than $8.3 million 

that will be suspended upon 

payment of $112,000 by Joseph 

Bella and the surrender of 

certain bank accounts, two cars 

and two boats.

New York Attorney 

General

&

Federal Trade Commission

(case filed jointly)

Frank Dorman-FTC

(202) 326-2674

FTC Press Release:

https://www.ftc.gov/n

ews-events/pressreleases/2015/11/ftcfederal-state-locallaw-enforcementpartners-announce

National Credit Adjusters

(New York, New York)

(New York, New York)

Settlement In Lieu of 

Administrative Action:

Seeking fines, restitution, and 

license revocation for collecting 

on illegal usurious payday loans.

January 5, 2015:

Settlement reached

Provides for: $962,000 in 

consumer restitution, $350,000 

in fines, and bans the debt 

collection company from 

collecting in NYC for 6 years.

New York City 

Department of Consumer 

Affairs

Connie Ress

(212) 436-0042

Press Release:

www.nyc.gov/html/dc

a/html/pr2015/pr_010

515.shtml
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

Midland Credit 

Management, Inc., Midland 

Funding LLC, Midland 

Funding NCC-2 Corp. and 

MRC Receivables Corp.

(New York, New York)

(New York, New York)

Settlement In Lieu of 

Administrative Action:

Settling potential liability for 

multiple violations of the New 

York City Code and Rules, 

including improperly suing 

various New York City 

consumers.

April 3, 2015:

Consent Order reached

Ordered companies to reform 

their business practices; 

conduct audit of cases files 

against NYC consumers to 

ensure accuracy; refund 

consumers identified through 

audit who were improperly 

sued; and pay $60,000 in civil 

penalties in connection with 

each of 7 licenses, for a total of 

$420,000, and an additional 

$250,000 in investigatory costs.

New York City 

Department of Consumer 

Affairs

Abigail Lootens 

(212) 436-0182

Katy Abreu

(212) 436-0203

21 Different Debt Collection 

Agencies

(Arizona, California, 

Colorado, Delaware, Florida, 

Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, 

Minnesota, Nevada, New 

Jersey, New York, North 

Carolina, Pennsylvania, 

Washington)

(New York, New York)

Settlement In Lieu of 

Administrative Action:

Settling potential liability for 

multiple violations of the New 

York City Code and Rules, 

including unlicensed activity, 

collecting on payday loans, 

providing incomplete 

information in communications 

with consumers, failing to 

maintain appropriate records, 

and making false statements in 

license renewal applications.

2015:

20 Consent Orders reached

Together, the Consent Orders 

provide for a maximum of 

$37,381 in consumer restitution 

and $614,883.60 in fines.

New York City 

Department of Consumer 

Affairs

Abigail Lootens / 

Katy Abreu

(212) 436-0042
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

Ohio

State of Ohio v. Nationwide 

Recovery Group, LLC and 

Michael P. McCarthy

(Buffalo, New York)

(Common Pleas Court—

Montgomery County, Ohio)

Civil Lawsuit:

Alleges violations of the Ohio 

Consumer Sales Practices Act, 

O.R.C 1345.01 et seq., and the 

Fair Debt Collection Practices 

Act.

Seeking a declaratory judgment, 

a permanent injunction, 

consumer restitution, and civil 

penalties.

February 11, 2015:

Complaint Filed

Case Pending

Ohio Attorney General Dan Tierney

(614) 466-3840

Kate Hanson

(614) 466-3840

Press Release:

http://www.ohioattorn

eygeneral.gov/Media/

NewsReleases/February2015/AttorneyGeneral-DeWineFiles-Suit-AgainstNew-Yor

State of Ohio v. Universal 

Debt & Payment Solutions, 

LLC, et al.

(Buffalo, New York & 

Duluth, Georgia)

(Cuyahoga County Court of 

Common Pleas, Cleveland, 

Ohio)

Civil Lawsuit: 

Seeking declaratory judgment, 

permanent injunctive relief, 

restitution, and civil penalties 

for unfair, deceptive, and 

unconscionable debt collection 

practices.

May 19, 2015:

Complaint filed

Case Pending

Ohio Attorney General Kate Hanson

(614) 466-3840

Press Release:

http://www.ohioattorn

eygeneral.gov/Media/

News-Releases/May2015/AttorneyGeneral-DeWineSues-Out-of-StateDebt-Col
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

State of Ohio v. Rotech 

Holdings, Ltd., Glenn R. 

Lista, and Sean M. Lista

(Buffalo area, New York)

(Franklin County Court of 

Common Pleas, Columbus, 

Ohio)

Civil Lawsuit: 

Seeking declaratory judgment, 

permanent injunctive relief, 

consumer damages, and civil 

penalties for unfair, deceptive, 

and unconscionable debt 

collection practices.

October 30 2015:

Complaint filed

Case Pending

Ohio Attorney General Dan Tierney

(614) 466-3840

Kate Hanson

(614) 466-3840

Pennsylvania

Christi L. Jones, 

Individually and as 

President of Christi L. Jones 

& Associates, Inc. and 

Christi L. Jones & 

Associates, Inc.

(Tamaqua, Pennsylvania)

(Schuylkill County Court of 

Common Pleas, Pottsville, 

Pennsylvania)

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking permanent injunction, 

fines, and restitution. Alleged 

violations of Pennsylvania’s Fair 

Credit Extension Uniformity 

Act, 73 P.S. § 2270.1, et seq., 

Unfair Trade Practices and 

Consumer Protection Law, 73 

P.S. § 201-1, et seq., as well as, 

the Judicial Code, 42 P.S. § 

2524, et seq. for using deceptive 

means to collect or attempt to 

collect debts and giving the false 

impression that Defendants were 

attorneys licensed to practice 

law in Pennsylvania. 

July 23, 2014: 

Complaint filed

October 15, 2015: 

Order approving Consent 

Petition for Final Decree 

Permanently enjoining

Defendants from: (1) future 

violations of law; (2) 

advertising and offering to 

investigate, enforce, and 

recover unpaid judgments or

collecting other past due 

balances on behalf of consumer 

and business clients; and (3) 

representing themselves as 

attorneys in Pennsylvania. 

Defendants also required to pay 

monetary relief in the amount 

of $14,000.

Pennsylvania Attorney 

General

Sadie R. Martin

(717) 787-5211
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

Texas

Fairbanks, Goldstein & 

Rodriguez, L.L.C., FG&R, 

L.L.C, YMS, L.L.C. and 

Ashley Claudio

(McAllen, Texas)

(370th District Court of 

Hidalgo County, Texas)

Civil Lawsuit: 

Seeking a permanent injunction 

and monetary relief for alleged 

violations of the Texas Debt 

Collection Act and Texas 

Deceptive Trade Practices -

Consumer Protection Act.

October 28, 2015:

Complaint Filed

Case Pending

Texas Attorney General Teresa Farfan

(512) 463-4501

Fletcher, Goldmen & Ross, 

Inc. and Travis Edward 

Dubcak

(McAllen, Texas)

(430th District Court of 

Hidalgo County, Texas)

Civil Lawsuit: 

Seeking a permanent injunction 

and monetary relief for alleged 

violations of the Texas Debt 

Collection Act and Texas 

Deceptive Trade Practices -

Consumer Protection Act.

October 28, 2015:

Complaint Filed

Case Pending

Texas Attorney General Teresa Farfan

(512) 463-4501
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

Washington

International Credit 

Recovery, Inc., and its 

principals Bettie Diorio and 

Richard Diorio Jr.

(Vestal, New York)

(King County Superior 

Court, State of Washington)

Civil Lawsuit:

Alleging company collected 

debts in Washington without a 

license. Debts collected were 

business-to-business debts; 

Washington law requires B2B 

collectors to be licensed. 

March 27, 2015:

Complaint filed and Consent 

Decree entered, against ICR 

and its principals

Civil Penalties: $33,000 

($3,000 imposed, $30,000 

suspended contingent on 

compliance with Consent 

Decree) 

Attorneys Fees & Costs: 

$12,000

Injunctive Relief: No collection 

from any business or person in 

Washington without having 

obtained a WA State collection 

agency or out-of-state 

collection agency license; no 

representations that ICR has a 

WA license; ICR will not 

charge or receive fees for

collection activity unless it is 

licensed; ICR will cooperate in 

the Washington AGO’s 

investigation of the creditor for 

whom ICR collects in WA. 

Washington Attorney 

General

Kim Gunning

(206) 389-2733
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

State of Washington v. PDL 

Recovery Group, LLC and

Jamie Belstadt

(Buffalo area, New York)

(King County Superior 

Court, Seattle, Washington)

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking injunction, penalties 

and restitution for alleged 

violations of the Washington 

Collection Agency Act and 

Washington Consumer 

Protection Act for PDL’s failure 

to license in Washington and 

misrepresentations re licensed 

status. Principal named as 

defendant. 

August 20, 2015:

Complaint filed

Washington Attorney 

General

Kim Gunning

(206) 389-2733

Press Release:

(office plans to do 

press as part of the 

Operation Collection 

Protection 

announcement) 

State of Washington v. 

Rotech Holdings Ltd., 

Glenn Lista and Sean Lista

(Buffalo area, New York) 

(King County Superior 

Court, Seattle, Washington)

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking injunction, penalties 

and restitution for alleged 

violations of the Washington 

Collection Agency Act and 

Washington Consumer 

Protection Act for Rotech’s 

failure to license in Washington

and misrepresentations re 

licensed status. Principals 

named as defendants.

August 20, 2015:

Complaint filed

Washington Attorney 

General

Kim Gunning

(206) 389-2733

Press Release:

(office plans to do 

press as part of the 

Operation Collection 

Protection 

announcement)

State of Washington v. 

D. Scott Carruthers, APLC, 

D. Scott Carruthers

(Orange County, California) 

(King County Superior 

Court, Seattle, Washington)

Civil lawsuit:

Seeking injunction, penalties 

and restitution against collection 

law firm and attorney for alleged 

violations of the Washington 

Collection Agency Act and 

Washington Consumer 

Protection Act for failure to 

license in Washington and 

threatening in the course of 

collecting to take action that 

could not legally be taken. 

September 4, 2015: 

Consent Judgment Entered 

requiring defendants to pay 

consumer restitution of 

$10,000 and a civil penalty of 

$22,000, plus costs and fees. 

Defendants are enjoined from 

acting as an unlicensed 

collection agency or otherwise 

violating Washington’s 

Collection Agency Act. 

Washington Attorney 

General

Leilani Fisher

(206) 464-6098

Press Release:

(office plans to do 

press as part of the 

Operation Collection 

Protection 

announcement)
Matter Name 

Company Location

Action Location

Type of Action Date/Matter Information Responsible Agency Press Contact

Press Release or Order

State of Washington v. 

Garnishment Services, LLC, 

and Richard Brees, d/b/a 

Garnishment Services, 

Judgment Day Collections, 

and The Judgment Recovery 

Group

(Tacoma, Washington)

(King County Superior 

Court, Seattle, Washington)

Civil Lawsuit:

Seeking injunction, penalties 

and restitution for alleged 

violations of the Washington 

Collection Agency Act and 

Washington Consumer 

Protection Act arising from 

Defendants’ operation of a 

“judgment recovery service.” 

November 2, 2015:

Complaint filed

Case Pending

Washington Attorney 

General

Kim Gunning

(206) 389-2733

Press Release:

(office plans to do 

press as part of the 

Operation Collection 

Protection 

announcement) 

West Virginia

Simple Recovery Solutions, 

LLC

(Orlando, Florida)

(Circuit Court Of Kanawha 

County, West Virginia)

Civil Lawsuit: 

Seeking permanent injunctive 

relief, full restitution for West 

Virginia consumers, and civil 

penalties against an unlicensed 

collection agency attempting to 

collect debts from consumers 

that are not owing, including 

from deceased consumers.

May 13, 2015:

Complaint filed

Case Pending

West Virginia Attorney 

General

Beth Ryan

(304) 558-2021

Press Release:

http://www.ago.wv.go

v/pressroom/Pages/Att

orney-GeneralPatrick-MorriseyFiles-ComplaintAgainst-SimpleRecovery-Solutions,-

LLC.aspx