CHARLESTON — A West Virginia couple is suing a debt collector, alleging violation of telephone harassment statutes.
Charles and Jenny Harless filed a lawsuit Sept. 9 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia against Trans World Systems Inc. alleging violation of the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
According to the complaint, when the plaintiffs became in arrears upon an alleged debt, they began to receive collection attempts from Trans World. Despite their request to cease calling, the suit says, the defendant continued to contact the plaintiffs, causing them to be annoyed, inconvenienced, harassed, upset and angered.
The plaintiffs allege Trans World Systems engaged in unreasonable, oppressive and/or abusive conduct in attempting to collect a debt and made calls using automated dialer system.
The Harlesses seek trial by jury, an award of $500 for each and every negligent violation and $1,500 for each and every willful violation of TCPA, costs of litigation, attorney fees and all other relief the court deems just and proper. They are represented by attorneys Benjamin M. Sheridan, Daniel K. Armstrong and Mitchell Lee Klein of Klein & Sheridan LC in Hurricane.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia Case number 3:16-cv-08705