The San Diego County District Attorney’s office announced Capital One will pay $2 million in a civil lawsuit settlement for unlawful debt collection practices.
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan was a part of a statewide team of district attorneys alleging the bank made “ unreasonably frequent or harassing phone calls to debtors in California”, according to a news release. The civil consumer protection complaint alleges unlawful debt practices throughout the united states.
Capital One was ordered to pay $2 million, including $1.45 million in civil penalties and $300,000 in investigative costs by Judge Gregory in Los Angeles Superior Court.
“The District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Unit investigated complaints that Capitol One made repetitive, harassing debt collection calls and often to the wrong number,” Stephan said. “The settlement, in this case, underscores the importance of companies abiding by the state and federal debt collection laws that protect California consumers.”
According to Stephan’s office, collection calls were often made in an excessive and unreasonable volume. The calls continued after the consumers indicated they no longer wished to receive the calls or when the calls were made to the wrong numbers.
Under the judgment, Capital One is also ordered to pay $250,000 in alternative restitution to a charitable trust fund to support additional consumer protection efforts.
