Washington sues collection agency that cussed
Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle)
The Attorney’s General office said it’s suing Everett collection agency Topco Financial Services Inc. for illegally swearing and cussing at consumers.
According to the AG’s office, Topco harassed, threatened and cussed at people it called, and used terms such as “loser,” “scum,” “plight on society,” “no good,” “lowlife,” “deadbeat,” “terrible parent” and profanities. Profanities included “using offensive language by calling debtors names, including but not limited to: ‘worthless f**king loser,’ ‘piece of sh*t,’ and ‘dumb a**.’”
“That kind of language isn’t just abusive — it’s illegal,” said the Attorney General’s office in a statement, adding that the office has received more than 120 complaints about Topco since 2005. The business, according to the AG’s office, has an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau.
In its suit, the state said Topco told one debtor, after she said she was being treated for cancer, “Why don’t you just die from cancer because you are a low-life deadbeat?” Another collector, the state said, threatened to “bi*ch slap” a debtor.
Collection agencies are busy in Washington, the state said, but they must follow the laws.
“While they have a right to try to collect on debts that you legitimately owe, they must treat consumers fairly and cannot bully, inundate you with harassing phone calls or lie about what will happen if you don’t pay a bill,” said Assistant Attorney General Shannon Smith, of the Consumer Protection Division, in a statement.
In its suit, the Attorney General’s office names Tracey Austell, president of Topco; his wife, Randi J. Austell, director of Topco; Harry Packer, secretary-treasurer and director; and Packer’s wife Jeanne, a director, as 100 percent owners of Topco Financial Services.
Topco officials didn’t return a call requesting comment on the suit.
Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle)
The Attorney’s General office said it’s suing Everett collection agency Topco Financial Services Inc. for illegally swearing and cussing at consumers.
According to the AG’s office, Topco harassed, threatened and cussed at people it called, and used terms such as “loser,” “scum,” “plight on society,” “no good,” “lowlife,” “deadbeat,” “terrible parent” and profanities. Profanities included “using offensive language by calling debtors names, including but not limited to: ‘worthless f**king loser,’ ‘piece of sh*t,’ and ‘dumb a**.’”
“That kind of language isn’t just abusive — it’s illegal,” said the Attorney General’s office in a statement, adding that the office has received more than 120 complaints about Topco since 2005. The business, according to the AG’s office, has an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau.
In its suit, the state said Topco told one debtor, after she said she was being treated for cancer, “Why don’t you just die from cancer because you are a low-life deadbeat?” Another collector, the state said, threatened to “bi*ch slap” a debtor.
Collection agencies are busy in Washington, the state said, but they must follow the laws.
“While they have a right to try to collect on debts that you legitimately owe, they must treat consumers fairly and cannot bully, inundate you with harassing phone calls or lie about what will happen if you don’t pay a bill,” said Assistant Attorney General Shannon Smith, of the Consumer Protection Division, in a statement.
In its suit, the Attorney General’s office names Tracey Austell, president of Topco; his wife, Randi J. Austell, director of Topco; Harry Packer, secretary-treasurer and director; and Packer’s wife Jeanne, a director, as 100 percent owners of Topco Financial Services.
Topco officials didn’t return a call requesting comment on the suit.
