MIAMI – A Miami consumer claims a debt collector tried to collect an unlawful fee.
Elia Melgar filed a complaint on Jan. 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division against American Medical Collection Agency alleging violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that the defendant mailed two collection letters regarding an alleged debt and that the plaintiff visited the defendant's website for further information and to make a payment on Jan. 4. The plaintiff holds American Medical Collection Agency responsible because the defendant allegedly charges a $4.95 convenience fee to make a payment via its website, which the plaintiff claims is an attempt to collect an amount not owed.
The plaintiff seeks actual damages, statutory damages, all legal fees and any other relief as the court deems just. The plaintiff is represented by Michael Jay Ringelheim of RC Law Group, PLLC in Hackensack, New Jersey.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division Case number 1:17-cv-20209-RNS