A Pennsylvania resident has taken legal action against a Florida-based corporation, alleging violations of federal debt collection laws. On February 20, 2025, William Schaule filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County against Oliphant USA LLC. The lawsuit accuses the company of misrepresenting and inaccurately reporting debt information to credit agencies.
The complaint details that on December 11, 2024, Schaule's legal representatives from J.P. Ward & Associates, LLC sent a dispute letter to Oliphant USA LLC. This letter informed the company that Schaule contested the debts reported by them and requested an investigation into the matter. Despite this communication, it is alleged that on December 27, 2024, Oliphant USA provided false information to TransUnion by updating a tradeline as "in Collection" and "PLACED FOR COLLECTION," without noting its disputed status. According to the complaint, these actions violated several provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), specifically sections 1692e(2)(a) and 1692e(8), which prohibit false representation of debt character or status and failing to communicate disputed debts accurately.
The plaintiff claims that these alleged violations have caused him significant distress including annoyance, anxiety, embarrassment, emotional distress, and severe inconvenience. The FDCPA aims to protect consumers from abusive debt collection practices that can lead to personal bankruptcies and invasions of privacy. As such, Schaule is seeking monetary damages within arbitration limits for actual damages incurred due to these alleged infractions. Additionally, he requests statutory damages as allowed under the FDCPA along with costs and attorney’s fees.
Representing Schaule are attorneys Travis A. Gordon and Joshua P. Ward from J.P. Ward & Associates LLC based in Pittsburgh. The case was filed under Docket No. CVPDD008S350F299 in the Civil Division of Allegheny County's Court of Common Pleas.