A recent court filing reveals a legal battle between a consumer and two financial entities over alleged violations of debt collection laws. On June 28, 2024, Ruth Riquelmy filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, against JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., and Ras LaVrar, LLC.
The lawsuit accuses JP Morgan Chase Bank and Ras LaVrar of violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act (FCEUA). According to the complaint, Riquelmy alleges that she was subjected to improper communication practices despite being represented by an attorney in an ongoing legal matter. The case stems from a financial obligation incurred by Riquelmy before 2025, which both defendants sought to collect through legal proceedings initiated on June 28, 2024. In her complaint, Riquelmy claims that on November 25, 2024, she received direct correspondence from the defendants at her home address—despite their knowledge that she had retained legal counsel for case No. 2024-C-1211 in Lehigh County Court.
Riquelmy's allegations focus on what she describes as misleading and false communications intended to collect the disputed debt. She highlights discrepancies in mailing dates related to a "1305 Notice," which purportedly aimed to introduce evidence at an arbitration hearing scheduled for December 11, 2024. The notice was allegedly mailed after the deadline required by Pa.R.C.P. 1305(b), rendering it invalid for its stated purpose. As a result of these actions, Riquelmy claims she suffered increased anxiety and emotional distress due to concerns about unauthorized communications from the defendants.
The plaintiff is seeking relief under several provisions of the FDCPA and FCEUA. Specifically, she requests actual damages for emotional distress caused by the defendants' conduct and statutory damages up to $1,000 under FDCPA §1692k(a)(2)(A). Additionally, Riquelmy seeks treble damages under Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL) due to alleged per se violations stemming from FCEUA breaches.
Representing Ruth Riquelmy is Emily S. Gomez-Hayes from the Law Office of Emily Gomez LLC based in Pittsburgh. The case has been assigned Case No.CVPDD008S346F398 within Allegheny County's Civil Division.