In a significant legal battle, an individual has taken a stand against a corporation over alleged unfair debt collection practices. On December 16, 2024, Zachary Zuppe filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, against NCB Management Services. The lawsuit accuses the company of violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) by misrepresenting the status of a disputed debt.
The case centers around allegations that NCB Management Services inaccurately reported a debt as "in collection" to credit reporting agency TransUnion despite being informed that the debt was disputed. According to the complaint, Zuppe had engaged J.P. Ward & Associates to represent him after NCB Management Services filed a civil complaint against him on October 16, 2024. Subsequently, his attorneys sent a letter on October 23, 2024, to NCB Management Services disputing any and all debts they claimed he owed and instructing them to cease direct communication with him.
Despite this clear communication from Zuppe's legal team, it is alleged that on November 6, 2024, NCB Management Services furnished false information about Zuppe's credit status. This action allegedly violated multiple provisions of the FDCPA, including sections that prohibit false representation of debt and failing to communicate that a debt is disputed. The plaintiff argues that these actions not only misrepresented his financial obligations but also caused him significant emotional distress and inconvenience.
Zachary Zuppe is seeking monetary damages under the FDCPA for actual damages suffered due to these violations and statutory damages up to $1,000. Additionally, he requests coverage for costs and attorney fees incurred during this legal process. The case underscores broader concerns about abusive debt collection practices which can lead to personal bankruptcies and invasions of privacy—issues the FDCPA aims to combat.
Representing Zachary Zuppe are attorneys Travis A. Gordon and Joshua P. Ward from J.P. Ward & Associates LLC based in Pittsburgh. The case is overseen by Judge Steven N. Necaster under Docket No: CVPDD008S288F074. Michael F. Ratchford represents NCB Management Services.