Woman sues over abusive, illegal debt collection

WINFIELD -— A Putnam County woman is suing Educational Credit Management Corporation after she claims the company engaged in abusive and illegal debt collection.

In August 2008, Lois Campbell Reed's student loans and liens were released. On Oct. 1, 2008, Educational Credit Management called her, seeking payment and she directed the company to her lawyer, according to a complaint filed Nov. 25 in Putnam Circuit Court.

Reed claims on Oct. 8, 2008, she sent the company a letter instructing them to direct further communication to her lawyer and requested they send her a statement of account. She claims the company never sent her the statement of account

According to the suit, Educational Credit Management called Reed numerous times after she directed them to her lawyer and sent her letters threatening various legal actions.

Reed claims on April 30, 2009, when the company called her and she directed them to her lawyer, the defendant "raised his voice, stating the matter was between 'his company and you' and he would continue to call until the matter was resolved."

On May 11, Reed asked again that the company not contact her directly and the information was received May 13, as evidenced by a certified receipt, according to the suit.

Between May and August, Reed claims the company called her nine times.

Reed is seeking actual damages and civil penalties of $4,300 for each violation for illegal debt collection and failure to provide statement of account. She is being represented by Daniel F. Hedges of Mountain State Justice.

Putnam Circuit Court case number: 09-C-510