Justin Derose has taken legal action against Jefferson Capital Systems, LLC, accusing the company of violating federal debt collection laws. The complaint was filed on October 25, 2024, in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County by J.P. Ward & Associates, LLC on behalf of Derose. This case highlights significant allegations against Jefferson Capital Systems concerning their debt collection practices.
The lawsuit stems from a previous civil complaint filed by Jefferson Capital Systems against Justin Derose on June 28, 2024. Derose responded by hiring J.P. Ward & Associates to contest the claims. According to the complaint, Derose's attorneys sent a "First Dispute Letter" to Jefferson Capital Systems on July 8, 2024, disputing any debts claimed by the company and instructing them to cease direct contact with him. Despite this communication, Jefferson Capital Systems allegedly continued to report inaccurate information about Derose's debts to credit agencies like TransUnion.
Derose argues that these actions by Jefferson Capital Systems are in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), specifically citing sections 1692e(2)(a) and 1692e(8). These sections prohibit false representation of debt status and require that disputed debts be communicated as such to credit reporting agencies. The complaint further accuses Jefferson Capital Systems of engaging in abusive and deceptive practices that have caused Derose emotional distress and inconvenience.
In his lawsuit, Justin Derose seeks monetary damages for actual harm suffered due to these alleged violations, statutory damages under the FDCPA provisions, and coverage for legal costs and attorney fees. He requests that the court hold Jefferson Capital Systems accountable for their purportedly unlawful actions and provide relief as deemed appropriate within arbitration limits.
Representing Justin Derose are attorneys Travis A. Gordon and Joshua P. Ward from J.P. Ward & Associates, LLC. The case is presided over by Magisterial District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr., with Case ID MJ-10105-CV-0000140-2024.