Class Action: Patenaude & Felix Misrepresented Debt Dispute Requirements in Letter

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Patenaude & Felix, A.P.C. is facing a Pennsylvania woman’s proposed class action in which she claims the law firm sent her a collection notice that misstated how to effectively dispute the debt.

The suit focuses on a March 2018 letter sent to the plaintiff concerning a debt owed to Synchrony Bank. The case says the notice stated, in part:

“If you wish to eliminate further collection action, please contact us at 800-832-7675 ext. 8500.
Unless you notify us within THIRTY (30) days after receiving this notice that you dispute the validity of this debt, or any portion thereof, this office will assume this debt is valid.”

According to the complaint, the letter led the plaintiff to believe that she could sufficiently dispute the debt over the phone when, in fact, collection efforts may only cease after a written dispute is submitted. 

“By falsely implying that Plaintiff had a legally effective right to have collection efforts cease by calling, Defendant overshadowed Plaintiff’s validation rights and misled her as to her statutory rights,” the case reads.