Consumer complaint received 2026-07-12 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action — Sued you in a state where you do not live or did not sign for the debt
Company: Javitch, Block & Rathbone LLC
State: OR

Complaint narrative:
I am a consumer filing a formal complaint against the debt collection law firm Javitch Block LLC for severe and explicit violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) venue provisions under 15 U.S.C. 1692i, as well as a total failure of due process regarding proper service. Background & Unlawful Venue : I am a permanent resident and active citizen of the State of Oregon, where I live and work. The debt collection law firm Javitch Block LLC has initiated a consumer debt collection lawsuit against me in the State of Ohio, specifically within the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Case No : XXXX ), alleging an outstanding consumer credit card balance of {$6300.00}. Under the FDCPA, 15 U.S.C. 1692a ( 6 ), Javitch Block LLC meets the legal definition of a " debt collector '' as they are a third-party entity regularly engaged in the collection of consumer debts through the judicial system. The Specific FDCPA Venue Violation : Pursuant to the strict federal venue provisions of the FDCPA, 15 U.S.C. 1692i, a debt collector is legally permitted to bring a legal action against a consumer on a debt only in the judicial district : Where the consumer signed the contract sued upon, or Where the consumer resides at the commencement of the action. I do not reside in Ohio, nor did I reside in Ohio at the commencement of this action. Furthermore, I never signed any purported contract within XXXX XXXX, Ohio. By filing a consumer debt collection lawsuit thousands of miles away from my actual home district, Javitch Block LLC has committed a direct, actionable violation of 15 U.S.C. 1692i. Complete Lack of Proper Service & Willful Disregard : In addition to the illegal out-of-state venue, I was never legally served with the summons or complaint for this lawsuit. I only discovered the existence of this active case by independently monitoring my consumer profile. Javitch Block LLC completely failed to execute proper legal service upon me in Oregon, denying me fundamental due process. Furthermore, Javitch Block LLC 's continuation of this lawsuit demonstrates a willful and reckless disregard for the requirements of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. They have actual notice that I reside in Oregon through my court filings, correspondence bearing my Oregon address, and the returned, undeliverable certified mailing they attempted to serve upon me. Despite this knowledge and the readily available means to verify my residence, they have continued to prosecute this action in an improper venue rather than voluntarily dismissing it. Abusive Litigation Strategy & Actual Damages : This firm operates as a high-volume collection mill. Filing an out-of-state lawsuit against a distant resident without proper service is a deceptive, bad-faith litigation tactic designed to hide the lawsuit from the consumer, prevent them from appearing in court, and secure an effortless, predatory default judgment. I have been forced to hastily file a pro se Answer and affirmative defenses with the Ohio court solely to protect myself from an unlawful, stealth default judgment. This abusive cross-state litigation tactic has caused me actual damages, including severe emotional XXXX, panic, and significant disruption to my daily life, all of which I am actively documenting pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1692k

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation