CHARLESTON – A man is suing PNC Bank in a class action lawsuit after he claims it illegally charged fees to consumers.
James A. Muhammad claims PNC systematically abused loan-servicing practices, according to a complaint originally filed in Kanawha Circuit Court and removed to federal court.
“In particular, this case concerns the assessment by PNC of illegal ‘speed pay’ and document request fees to its West Virginia consumers who have their home loans serviced by PNC, according to the suit.
Muhammad claims in direct violation of West Virginia law, PNC regularly and systematically charges illegal and excessive speed pay fees to consumers who have made a payment via telephone, internet or by money order.
Further, PNC regularly and systematically charges illegal and excessive document request fees to consumers who request various loan documents, according to the suit.
Muhammad claims he has a home-secured loan with PNC and neither his note or deed of trust provide for the assessment of speed pay fees or document request fees and PNC has charged numerous speed pay fees.
In November 2013, PNC charged him a speed pay fee of $12 and has charged him several document fees.
Muhammad is seeking actual and compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is being represented by Jonathan R. Marshall and Tony L. Clacker of Bailey & Glasser.
PNC is represented by Matthew L. Ward and W. Henry Jernigan Jr. of Dinsmore & Shohl.
The case is assigned to District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia case number: 2:15-cv-16190