The consumer debt collector, Advanced Call Center Technologies, LLC, alleged that Allen Jones of Dallas, Texas owed a consumer debt of less than $200.00. Allen Jones maintained that he did owe the alleged debt and that it had already been paid. Despite the dispute, Allen Jones, who is black, continued receiving telephone calls seeking payment. Ultimately, the debt collector left voicemails on Jones’ voicemail consisting of, for example:
“This is your motherf*cking wake-up call you little lazy a*s b*tch…” On another occasion: “Get your motherf*cking n*gger a*s up and go pick some motherf*cking cotton fields.” These two quotes are the tamest that can be reprinted in this attorney blog… not the worst.
Allen Jones sued under fair debt collection laws Advanced Call Center Technologies, LLC for damages. On Friday, May 28, 2010, a Dallas County jury awarded Allen Jones one of the largest verdicts known pursuant to fair debt collection laws. The jury awarded $50,000.00 in mental anguish and $1.5 million in punitive damages.
In retrospect, no amount of money serves as compensation when a black man is called the n-word and advised to pick cotton. But, the jury was trying to send a clear, unambiguous message to debt collectors: Violate the law, and you will pay.