FAYETTEVILLE -- Two Fayette County women are pressing charges against a Texas-based loan agency, claiming that the company harassed them over an unpaid debt belonging to neither woman.
Holly Cobb and her mother, Ruth Conrad, filed a suit July 1 in Fayette Circuit Court against Santander Consumer USA Inc., citing violation of West Virginia consumer law, invasion of privacy, infliction of emotional distress and negligence.
Cobb alleges that Santander repeatedly called her and her mother, both at home and at work, in regards to a loan debt owed by her ex-husband. Despite settling the account in May, the suit claims that Santander failed to remove the outstanding balance, and even created a fictitious account under Conrad's name. The suit also asserts that Santander was not authorized to conduct business in the state.
The plaintiffs are seeking statutory penalties and damages pursuant to the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection act, along with appropriate legal fees. They are represented in the suit by Erwin Conrad of Conrad & Conrad, PLLC, a Fayetteville law firm. Judge John Hatcher has been assigned to the case.
Fayette Circuit Court case number 15-c-168h.
