Case Information:
- Court: U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- Plaintiff: Jeannette Baechle (individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated)
- Defendant: Credit Associates, LLC
- Case Type: Class Action
- Filing Date: February 21, 2025
- Relief Sought: Statutory damages, injunctive relief
Allegations at a Glance:
Plaintiff alleges that Credit Associates, LLC engaged in unlawful telemarketing practices in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Florida Telephone Solicitation Act (FTSA) by sending unsolicited automated text messages and calls without consent.
Key Allegations:
- Sent unsolicited telemarketing text messages to Plaintiff and others using automated technology.
- Contacted individuals without obtaining prior express written consent as required by law.
- Made calls to phone numbers registered on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry.
- Failed to maintain a list of individuals who requested not to receive calls and continued to contact them.
- Used a caller ID number that was not capable of receiving calls, violating Florida’s Caller Identification Rules.
- Ignored opt-out requests, continuing to send messages even after recipients texted “STOP.”
Legal Claims:
✅ TCPA Violations: Unauthorized use of automated dialing systems for telemarketing calls and texts.
✅ FTSA Violations: Making unsolicited sales calls and failing to comply with Florida’s Caller ID rules.
✅ National & Internal DNC Violations: Failing to honor opt-outs and disregarding federal and state do-not-call lists.
Relief Sought:
💰 Statutory damages of $500 per violation, up to $1,500 per willful violation.
💰 Liquidated damages under FTSA for similar amounts.
⚖️ Injunctive relief to prohibit Credit Associates from continuing unlawful telemarketing practices.
💼 Attorney’s fees and legal costs.
The Bottom Line:
This lawsuit highlights growing concerns over aggressive telemarketing tactics, particularly the use of automated text messages and ignored opt-out requests. Consumers who received similar calls or messages may be eligible to join the class action.
Legal Disclaimer:
This is a legal complaint, meaning the allegations are claims made by the plaintiff. The case may result in a dismissal, settlement, or court ruling, and no liability is determined at this stage.
