http://www.collectionindustry.com/index.cfm?id=8&news_type=1&news_id=11246 (you may have to register)
Only 350 complaints since 1997?? I would have thought there were more than that. I guess people don't know to contact the AG.
That jumped out at me as well. Maybe it's time to copy the state AG on any dispute with a ca or oc or, cra and if enough people complain then maybe the AG will act. 350 really isn't very many. I recall reading where there were 300 plus complaints against National Check Control with the NJ AG and that's when they acted.
LAUTENSCHLAGER ANNOUNCES LAWSUIT AGAINST DELAWARE CREDIT CARD ISSUER FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 21, 2003 For More Information Contact: Brian Rieselman 608/266-1220 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MADISON - Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager announced today that her office has filed a lawsuit in Dane County against Cross Country Bank, Inc., a Delaware credit card issuer and a related company, Applied Card Systems, Inc., also of Delaware, for numerous violations of Wisconsin consumer laws. Cross Country has issued credit cards to tens of thousands of Wisconsin customers in the past six years, and currently has over 30,000 Wisconsin cardholders. Applied Card Systems services Cross Country's credit card accounts, including providing debt collection services. According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice complaint : Since 1997 the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions has received approximately 350 consumer complaints about Cross Country's business practices, many of which allege abusive collection practices, including the use of obscene language, threats, repeated calls despite requests to stop, calls at odd hours, calls at the customer's workplace, threats of criminal prosecution, discussion of debts with third parties, and using false pretenses. There have been a number of complaints of Cross Country electronically withdrawing funds from customers' bank accounts without their consent. In addition, Cross Country has imposed illegal contract terms on its Wisconsin customers, such as imposing liability for attorney fees and collection costs on the consumer, accelerating repayment without the required 15-day right-to-cure period, and attempting to apply Delaware law to any disputesâ??rather than Wisconsin law. In addition, Cross Country has never registered as required with DFI, or paid the annual registration fees. "Cross Country is accused of numerous violations in Wisconsin, and hundreds of our citizens have complained about the allegedly illegal as well as abusive practices of this Delaware credit card company," Lautenschlager said. "Wisconsin does not tolerate the violation of our strong consumer protection laws, and my office is vigorously prosecuting this case." The lawsuit asks the court to impose forfeitures against the defendants for their violations of the Wisconsin Consumer Act, and to prohibit the companies from further illegal activities. The case has been assigned to Dane County Circuit Court Judge Moria Krueger. Assistant Attorney General John Greene is representing the state. The state Department of Financial Institutions assisted in the investigation of this case. "Wisconsin does not tolerate the violation of our strong consumer protection laws." AT LEAST WE WON'T TOLERATE IT FOR LONGER THAN 6 YEARS. LOL .
That's probably a good idea. I keep telling people to copy the AG, your Congressman, and anyone else you can think of. I just thought that with CCB there had to be more than 300 problems. From what I read here a few years ago, I thought there were 300 people either on CNet or that knew CNetters that we could have had 300 complaints ourselves!!
That's kind of where I was coming from, Butch! 300 complaints since 1997. I thought they could get 300 complaints in under six months, not six years!!!
As I recall, this is the 3rd state AG to sue them. Back in the spring, New York and, Mn. sued. I'll look for the links later today. You're right Hedwig. I'll bet between CN and, CB you might have 300 compalints a day!
Here's more: http://www.ag.state.mn.us/consumer/PR/pr_CrossC_40303.htm http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2003/apr/apr03a_03.html Looks like 300 complaints in New York and 200 in Mn. was the magic numbers.
