Is Tabula Rasa International Calling You?*

Is Tabula Rasa International calling you? Here’s what you need to know.

Anyone can encounter a rough patch financially, and over time these situations usually improve. Sometimes, however, the obligations you used to be able to easily pay every month go into collections, and debt collectors start calling you at home and work. Before considering personal bankruptcy as a means of escape, be aware that the law imposes limits on what they can say or do to collect your debt.

Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, or FDCPA, was enacted in 1977 to protect consumers from ruthless and unethical debt collectors. Under the FDCPA, actions like the following are illegal when used to pressure consumers into paying a debt.

• Using profane or obscene language
• Calling you at work when your employer does not allow such calls
• Failing or refusing to validate the debt
• Threatening to have you arrested or imprisoned if you don’t pay
• Using the phone to harass you by calling nonstop
• Demanding more money than the law or original creditor agreement permit
• Talking about the debt to anyone except you, your spouse, or your attorney

Company Profile: Tabula Rasa International

Tabula Rasa International is a collection agency located in Buffalo, New York. It was established in 2003, has around 35 employees, and is managed by its president, David McDonald. Records on file at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) website confirm that Tabula Rasa International has been sued by consumers who felt that their rights under the FDCPA had been violated.

Alleged Violations against Tabula Rasa International

Lori Stamper vs. Tabula Rasa International

On or around September 18, 2008, Florida resident Lori Stamper allegedly received a fax at her workplace from Tabula Rasa International regarding a debt it was attempting to collect from her. The following day, a collector called her at work.

During this conversation Ms. Stamper stated that she could not receive calls there, and not to contact her at work any more. The collector allegedly stated that unless she paid the debt, Tabula Rasa International would get a judgement against her and garnish her wages.

When two more calls were allegedly made to her workplace on September 27 and 30, Ms. Stamper hired a consumer attorney and sued Tabula Rasa International for the following alleged FDCPA violations:

• Calling her at work after being advised that such calls were not permitted
• Using unfair and/or unconscionable means to collect a debt
• Threatening legal action that was never taken
• Stating that they could control the decision to litigate and the timing and scope of the litigation, when in fact this would be an attorney decision
• Making misrepresentations during its conversations with her

The matter was later settled.

Hire an Attorney

The phone numbers for Tabula Rasa International are 1-888-868-9486 and 1-503-288-0770. If either of these numbers appear on your caller ID, be aware that a debt collector is trying to reach you. If they call you at work, ignore your requests to stop, and threaten litigation that never transpires, hire a consumer attorney. Harassing consumers is illegal under the FDCPA, and you could win $1,000 per FDCPA violation as well as attorney’s fees, court costs, and any actual damages. Let an experienced consumer attorney help you assert your rights in court and get the compensation you deserve.

*Case taken from PACER (www.pacer.gov). File number is 3:08-cv-01178-TJC-JRK from United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division

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 Tabula Rasa International, or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.