Swansea man sues debt collectors

A Swansea man is accusing two debt collection companies of consumer fraud after they allegedly harassed him about a debt.

Roger Benson filed a lawsuit March 23 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Cavalry Portfolio Services LLC and Cavalry SPV I LLC.

Benson says he received a letter from Cavalry Portfolio Services in November 2010 demanding payment of a nearly $6,300 debt. In January 2011, Benson claims he wrote a letter to Cavalry disputing the debt, asking for verification of the alleged debt and demanding they stop contacting him.

Days later, Benson alleges he received another letter from Cavalry demanding payment, without sending verification of the debt.

Benson is suing Cavalry for violating the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. He also accuses the defendants of consumer fraud for allegedly not validating the debt owed.

Benson is asking for more than $125,000 in damages plus court costs. He is represented by attorney David M. Duree of O'Fallon.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-148