Stephanie Coleman, a resident of Pennsylvania, has taken legal action against a debt collection company for allegedly pursuing an expired debt. The complaint was filed by Coleman on April 14, 2025, in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, against LVNV Funding LLC. The lawsuit centers around accusations that the defendant violated federal and state laws by attempting to collect a debt that was beyond the statute of limitations.
The case stems from a civil action initiated by LVNV Funding LLC on July 13, 2023, claiming that Coleman owed money on a Citibank credit card. According to the documents provided by the defendant, the default date on this account was March 11, 2019. However, Coleman asserts that this date exceeds the four-year statute of limitations for debt collection suits in Pennsylvania. Furthermore, LVNV Funding allegedly misrepresented the last payment date as September 11, 2019—a claim that Coleman disputes as inaccurate since it involved a credit applied and removed unilaterally by Citibank without her consent.
Coleman accuses LVNV Funding of violating several provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), including attempting to collect an outdated debt and misrepresenting its legal status. Additionally, she claims violations under Pennsylvania's Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act (FCEUA) and Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL). These laws are designed to protect consumers from deceptive or unfair practices in debt collection.
In her complaint, Coleman seeks various forms of relief from the court. She requests compensatory damages for emotional distress caused by the defendant's actions and statutory damages amounting to $1,000 for FDCPA violations. Moreover, she demands treble damages under both FCEUA and UTPCPL claims due to ascertainable losses suffered because of these alleged violations. Alongside financial compensation, Coleman is also seeking coverage for attorney’s fees and litigation costs incurred during this process.
Representing Stephanie Coleman is attorney John T. Shaffer Jr., Esq., from Starks Law P.C., based in Pittsburgh. The case ID is: CVPDD008S405F638.