Are You Being Called By Lake Valley Retrievals, Inc.?*

Are you being called by Lake Valley Retrievals, Inc.?* Here’s what you need to know.

Anyone can experience financial difficulties, but for some, the burden is far greater because they are unable to regain their footing. If you are laid off and your credit cards, medical debt, and student loans go into arrears, it won’t be long before debt collectors start chasing you for payment. Few of them care that as a consumer, you have rights.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

In 1977 Congress passed the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA to protect consumers from unethical debt collection practices. This consumer protection law made abusive harassing tactics like those below became illegal:

• Using profane or obscene language
• Leaving voice messages that do not identify the collector and the purpose of their call
• Demanding outrageous amounts that exceed the amount of the original debt
• Calling you at work when they know that your employer prohibits such calls
• Threatening to seize your property or garnish your wages
• Refusing to provide proof that you owe a debt and they are authorized to collect it

Company Profile: Lake Valley Retrievals, Inc.

If you are being called by Lake Valley Retrievals, Inc., information about the company is below.

Lake Valley Retrievals, Inc. is a debt collection company located in San Diego, California. It was established in 1979, has approximately 12 employees, and is managed by its Director of Operations, Richard L Dehart. A review of legal records retained by the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website suggest that many consumers who believed they were being harassed by Lake Valley Retrievals, Inc. finally sued for compensation, and in some instances received substantial awards.

Alleged Violations against Lake Valley Retrievals, Inc.

Isela Elvir, on behalf of herself and all others similarly situated vs. Lake Valley Retrievals, Inc.*

According to PACER, on or about October 12, 2001, a Lake Valley Retrievals, Inc. collector who identified himself as “Mr. Mark John” called New York resident Isela Elvir about an alleged debt. She later claimed that he proceeded to insult and threaten her before eventually hanging up on her.

Feeling harassed by Lake Valley Retrievals, Inc. and suspecting that such abuse was routine practice for it, Ms. Elvir hired a consumer attorney and filed a class action lawsuit against the company for allegedly violating the FDCPA in the following ways:

• Using profane and obscene language
• Failing to send a debt validation notice that meaningfully explained her rights

A judge later awarded $6,500 to be distributed among class members.

Hire an Attorney

The phone numbers for this debt collection law office are:

• 1-573-875-7966
• 1-800-478-6103

If you see either one on your caller ID when the phone rings, it means that you are being called by Lake Valley Retrievals, Inc.. If they use abusive language when you answer the phone, hire a consumer attorney who can help you you file a claim against Lake Valley Retrievals, Inc.. If you win your case, you could potentially be awarded $1,000 per FDCPA violation plus any applicable fees and costs. An attorney can help you take the right steps to get the compensation you are entitled to.

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is Case 1:02-cv-01240-FB-VVP from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be constructed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Lake Valley Retrievals, Inc., or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.