A Lubbock woman sued Speedy Cash on Wednesday in Lubbock federal court, accusing the company of violating both the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the Texas Debt Collections Act.
Josephine Washington described herself in the lawsuit as a 69-year-old woman who does not owe any money to Speedy Cash. Washington claimed that Speedy Cash has tried to collect an outstanding payday loan from Washington’s daughter.
“[Washington] has been unfairly and unnecessarily harassed by [Speedy Cash],” the lawsuit said.
It said Washington suffered “invasion of privacy, aggravation … [and] emotional distress … caused by the never-ending calls.”
The lawsuit said she even bought an app to “quell” the calls, which usually – but not always – come from a specific phone number listed in the lawsuit.
The lawsuit claimed Speedy Cash has used an automatic telephone dialing system to call her cellphone without her consent. As such, her lawsuit claimed that the company is violating Texas law.
“[Washington] does not have any business relationship with [Speedy Cash] nor has she ever given it permission to call her cellular phone,” the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit said under Texas law Washington is entitled to $500 per phone call from Speedy Cash and she claimed there are 18 or more phone calls. The lawsuit said federal law would entitle Washington to even more damages from Speedy Cash.
Her attorney offered the following brief statement:
“Our primary concern is protecting the rights of consumers such as Mrs. Washington. Far too often financial institutions use the lack of information available to consumers to their advantage. We are anxious to delve into Mrs. Washington’s interactions with Speedy Cash, focusing on the circumstances in which her phone number was obtained.”
A call was placed to the Speedy Cash corporate office. An update will be provided if the invitation for comment is accepted.
