Lyudmila Ladunskiy and Peter Ladunskiy v. Anderson & Associates Credit Services, L.L.C.

Seattle, Washington consumer credit lawyers represented the Plaintiffs on a Fair Debt Collection Act violation theory.



The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law that limits the actions of third-party debt collectors, prohibiting them from engaging in abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices when collecting debts from consumers. Violations can lead to legal action against the debt collector.

Key Provisions of the FDCPA:



Restrictions on Communication:



Debt collectors can't contact you at inconvenient times (generally before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. unless you agree), at work if you've told them it's prohibited, or after you've requested they stop contacting you by a specific method (like email or social media).



Prohibition of Harassment and Abuse:



Debt collectors cannot threaten violence, use obscene language, or make repeated calls intended to harass or annoy you.

Restrictions on Disclosure of Debt Information:



Debt collectors can't disclose your debt to third parties (except your spouse or attorney) without your permission.



False or Misleading Representations:



Debt collectors cannot misrepresent the amount of the debt, their identity (e.g., falsely claiming to be an attorney), or the consequences of non-payment (e.g., threatening actions they can't legally take).



Debt Validation:



Debt collectors must provide you with a validation notice within five days of their initial communication, verifying the debt amount, the creditor's name, and your right to dispute the debt.



Right to Dispute the Debt:

You have 30 days to dispute the debt in writing, and the collector must then verify the debt.



Violations and Consequences:



Failing to provide the validation notice within the required timeframe is a violation.



Misrepresenting the nature of the debt or the collector's authority is a violation.



Threatening actions not permitted under law or that the collector doesn't intend to take is a violation.

Violations can lead to legal action by the consumer, including potential recovery of actual damages, statutory damages (up to $1,000), and attorney's fees.



In essence, the FDCPA aims to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive debt collection practices while also ensuring that reputable debt collectors are not unfairly penalized by the law.

06/18/2025 15 FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW. Plaintiffs are entitled to actual damages in this case under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ("FDCPA"), including emotional distress. Having fully considered the evidence presented in the hearing, the exhibits admitted into evidence, and the argument of counsel, and being fully advised, the Court finds in favor of Plaintiff Lyudmila Ladunskiy in the total amount of $15,955.22 and of Plaintiff Peter Ladunskiy in the total amount of $5,000.00. The clerk shall enter judgment accordingly. This matter is now CLOSED. Signed by Judge Ricardo S. Martinez. (CJS) Modified on 6/18/2025 - cc: Defendant via USPS to address reflected in 10 Order (CJS). (Entered: 06/18/2025)

06/18/2025 16 JUDGMENT BY COURT. The Court finds in favor of Plaintiff Lyudmila Ladunskiy in the total amount of $15,955.22. The Court finds in favor of Plaintiff Peter Ladunskiy in the total amount of $5,000.00. Plaintiffs are also entitl