More than 6,000 Massachusetts consumers will receive approximately $52 million in debt relief following a settlement with an Avon-based debt collection operation accused of stealing people’s cars to pressure them into paying debts, according to a statement from the state’s attorney general’s Office.
The state reached an agreement with Judgment Acquisitions Unlimited, Champion Funding Inc., and owner Andrew Metcalf. The deal settles a lawsuit over deceptive debt collection practices and permanently prevents the companies from operating a debt collection business in Massachusetts.
“As Massachusetts residents continue to face rising costs, they should not be subject to aggressive and unlawful debt collection practices like those Andrew Metcalf allegedly engaged in,” Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said in a statement. “Because of this settlement, thousands of families in the Commonwealth will be provided with debt relief and these predatory companies will never be allowed to operate in Massachusetts again.”…