BELLEVILLE – A woman is suing Tiger Services for allegedly convincing her then-boyfriend into signing her up for more than $12,000 in unnecessary home repairs without her approval.
Plaintiff Kathryn C. Shaffer filed the lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Tiger Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical Services, doing business as Tiger Services, Tiger Plumbing Services, LLC, Tiger Heating and Air Conditioning Services, Inc, Tiger Electrical Services, LLC, Tiger Business owner Jeffrey Gamblin, and Ally Financial, Inc., doing business as Ally Lending, citing breach of contract and violations of the Consumer Fraud & Deceptive Business Practices Act.
According to the lawsuit, in February 2022, Shaffer's former boyfriend was experiencing issues with the hot water heater at the plaintiff's house and called Tiger for service. Shaffer was the actual owner of the property and was not at home, a fact made known to the Tiger employee. Shaffer's then-boyfriend had no authority to bind her to any service contracts, but the Tiger employee allegedly moved forward with convincing Shaffer's then-boyfriend to agree to extensive repairs on her home. He also signed the plaintiff up for a "member's club" for an annual fee without obtaining approval from Shaffer or giving her a chance to review any contracts. Shaffer claims she has incurred a bill for more than $12,500, which is accruing interest every month. The bill has been transferred to Ally Financial.
Shaffer alleges the Tiger employee took advantage of the fact that she wasn't home, misrepresented the need for repair work to her home, and assured her then-boyfriend that he could sign her name to approve repairs on her home.
She claims the defendants breached the contract by failing to obtain her approval for any repairs, failing to obtain necessary permits for repairs, and misrepresenting the need for repair work. She adds that the employee violated the Consumer Fraud & Deceptive Business Practices Act by failing to provide her with a written contract or work order as required by the act.
Ally is named in the lawsuit as co-defendant because it is the holder of the fraudulent debt and has attempted to collect the debt from Shaffer. As holder of the debt, Ally is responsible for the improper and fraudulent acts of Tiger and its employees. Shaffer states that Ally owes her a refund for the total amount, but has refused to issue a refund or cancel the debt and that these actions have impacted her credit rating.
The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus court costs, attorney's fees and any other relief the court deems proper. She is represented in this case by attorney Brian M. Wendler and Angie M. Zinzilieta of Wendler & Zinzilieta, P.C. in Maryville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 23-LA-707