BENTON – A Madison County woman is suing a collection agency, alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act.
Christina Argyropoulos filed a lawsuit Jan. 26 in U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Illinois against Professional Adjustment Bureau of Mid-America Inc.
According to the complaint, on Nov. 3, Argyropoulos received a letter from the defendant attempting to collect a debt allegedly owed to Clinical Radiologists SC for $682.50. The letter states, “This debt may become part of your credit report if not paid in full or disputed.”
The lawsuit says this was the first communication the plaintiff received from Professional Adjustment Bureau and that the defendant uses this specific phrasing to intimidate and coerce consumers into paying debts, regardless of whether the defendant has the authority or intent to do so.
The lawsuit states the defendant's activity has caused the plaintiff to incur actual damages, including anxiety, stress and worry.
Argyropolous seeks declaratory judgment that the defendant's conduct did indeed violate the act, actual damages, release of the alleged debt, statutory damages, costs, attorney fees and a trial by jury. She is represented by attorney James W. Eason of The Eason Law Firm LLC of St. Louis.
U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Illinois case number 16-cv-88