Moorer Vs Always Towing
Moorer Vs Always Towing
Monique L. Moorer,
Plaintiff,
v. Case No. __________________
Defendants.
Complaint
I. Introduction
Specifically, the towing companies, acting in concert, violated the Fair Debt Collection
Practices Act when they acted as a debt collector in illegally repossessing plaintiff’s car.
The finance company and towing companies also violated various provisions of the
Wisconsin Consumer Act relating to this illegal self-help repossession. Plaintiff seeks
statutory damages and statutory relief, declaratory relief, actual damages, punitive
U.S.C. § 1367.
3. Venue is proper in that the plaintiff lives in Milwaukee County, two of the
with a principal office located in Milwaukee County at 3700 W. Wells St., Milwaukee,
collector” as defined by 15 U.S.C. § 1692a(6). Always Towing and All City acted in
liability company, with a primary place of business in Atlanta, GA and with an office
IV. Facts
9. On June 7, 2014, Monique Moorer bought a 2012 Ford Fusion car from
Van Horn Motors of Milwaukee for a total price of $23,074.88. Ms. Moorer paid
$2,000.00 down on the car and financed the balance via a Retail Installment Sales
Contract (RISC).
10. GLS was the assignee of the RISC and provided financing for the purchase
12. The financing on the car by GLS to Ms. Moorer is a “claim” as defined by
13. Ms. Moorer made timely payments from July 2014 through April 2015,
14. At the end of December, 2014, Ms. Moorer lost her job. She continued to
make her payments timely for as long as possible. In May, 2015, Ms. Moorer got behind
15. Ms. Moorer made periodic payments for some months after that, as much as
she could each time, when she could. She informed GLS of the loss of employment and
16. The first payment that Ms. Moorer missed was due on May 22, 2015 in the
amount of $439.06.
17. On June 26, 2015, GLS sent Ms. Moorer a Notice of Right to Cure” and
“Notice of Repossession of Motor Vehicle.” The notices alleged that Ms. Moorer was in
default for non-payment of amounts due and gave the last day for payment as July 12,
2015.
18. The Notice of Right to Cure Default did not meet the requirements of
§§ 425.104 and 425.105, Wis. Stats., because Ms. Moorer was not in default on June 26,
With respect to a transaction other than one pursuant to an open-end plan...if the
amount exceeding one full payment which has remained unpaid for more than 10
20. The earliest time that Ms. Moorer was legally in “default” under Wisconsin
law for missing the May 22, 2015 payment would have been July 2, 2015. That is the
first day that an amount exceeding one full payment had remained unpaid for more than
ten days.
21. The June 26, 2015 Notice of Right to Cure and Notice of Repossession
were defective under Wisconsin law. Because GLS had not sent a proper Notice of Right
to Cure on June 26, 2015 and, in the same letter, threatened Ms. Moorer with
repossession of her car, it was threatening to take action that could not legally be taken at
that time.
22. Ms. Moorer made two more payments to GLS, one on or about June 27,
2015 in the amount of $160.00, and another on or about June 30, 2015 in the amount of
$150.00.
would be starting new employment beginning September 27 and until she could rely on
that regular pay to get caught up, she would continue to make payments as she could. She
24. It was Ms. Moorer’s understanding in that phone call with Brian that GLS
was in agreement with her plan to make the payments of $150.00 and $175.00 in August.
25. On or about August 4, 2015, Ms. Moorer made a payment to GLS in the
amount of $150.00, as she agreed with GLS that she would do.
26. On or about August 19, 2015, Ms. Moorer made another payment to GLS in
the amount of $175.00, as she agreed with GLS that she would do.
27. On August 6 2015, (in between receiving those August payments and
despite her communication and agreement with GLS), GLS claims it sent Ms. Moorer a
Notice of Right to Cure and a Notice of Repossession. Ms. Moorer did not receive that
notice.
28. Without regard to whether Ms. Moorer received the August 6, 2015 Notice
of Right to Cure and Notice of Repossession, the August 6, 2015 Notice of Right to Cure
was defective under Wisconsin law. This notice did not properly itemize the amounts
due, specifically the delinquency charges, as is required under § 425.104, Wis. Stats.
requirements of §§ 425.104 and 425.105, Wis. Stats., and GLS had no present right to
30. Ms. Moorer made another payment to GLS on or about September 14,
make another payment. She was given the wrong information in that telephone call about
32. In the October 5, 2015 telephone call, GLS asked Ms. Moorer to pay
$432.18, which GLS stated would make Ms. Moorer only two payments behind. Ms.
Moorer explained that she did not have that amount of money in her account and would
have to move some money to make a payment and would make that payment online.
33. Later that day, on October 5, 2015, Ms. Moorer made a $300.00 payment to
GLS.
34. On or about October 13, a GLS representative called Ms. Moorer’s son on
his telephone and told him that they needed a call from Ms. Moorer and they were
looking for her car. This phone call was conduct that could reasonably expected to harass
35. On or about October 13, a GLS representative called Ms. Moorer’s sister at
her telephone number and spoke with her about Ms. Moorer’s car, which GLS was
36. On November 10, 2015, at approximately 10:40 a.m., Ms. Moorer called
GLS to try to make a payment by electronic bank transfer or on-line. She was told that
she could no longer make a payment on-line or by credit card or debit card or by bank
transfer. The representative said that because her car was up for repossession, GLS
needed “certified funds.” Ms. Moorer was further told she could only make a payment by
Western Union or Moneygram, both of which are payment methods that would cost Ms.
37. GLS’s representations that the only way plaintiff could make a payment was
via a means that would cost her additional money to make a payment, were false and
made to harass Ms. Moorer and make her jump through extra hoops she was not legally
38. The GLS representative asked how soon Ms. Moorer could make another
payment after the payment plaintiff was going to make that day. Ms. Moorer said that she
would pay another $500.00 on Friday (November 13, 2015), and GLS agreed to that plan.
39. After she hung up from the call with GLS on November 10, 2015, Ms.
Moorer got in her car and drove directly to Western Union and made a payment to GLS in
41. After making the payment, Ms. Moorer then returned to work and
telephoned GLS to advise it of the payment and Western Union confirmation number.
42. On November 10, 2015, Ms. Moorer expressed concern about the
impending repossession and asked what would happen. Ms. Moorer was assured by GLS
that GLS had put the repossession “on hold” and that Ms. Moorer did not “need to worry
43. After Ms. Moorer had made the Western Union payment and before she
finished her shift at work, defendant Always Towing and/or All City repossessed and
towed Ms. Moorer’s car from the parking lot of her place of employment.
44. Ms. Moorer’s car was taken to the principal business address of defendants
45. At no time did Ms. Moorer consent to having her car repossessed or
46. Defendants did not have a legal right to repossess or tow Ms. Moorer’s car
47. At the end of her work day, Ms. Moorer discovered that her car was missing
48. Because she had made the payment to GLS and was told by GLS that the
been stolen.
49. Ms. Moorer was emotionally distressed and extremely upset and crying
when she discovered her car missing. She was also humiliated when she learned that
GLS had towed the car from her employment parking lot, especially because she had
recently started this new job. It was embarrassing for her to explain people at work why
her car was towed. Thereafter, Ms. Moorer continued to be anxious about having her car
towed again after that, because GLS had already taken it without a legal right in the past.
50. When Ms. Moorer got home from work on November 10, 2015, she
immediately called GLS. She was told that she would need to pay July and August
payments in order to get the car back and that she would have to talk to “Tara” at GLS the
next day.
51. On November 11, 2015, Ms. Moorer called GLS and spoke to Tara, who
told Ms. Moorer that her car had been repossessed at 11:43 a.m. Ms. Moorer explained
that this was impossible, because she had used her car to drive to Western Union to make
a payment to GLS at that time. Tara was rude to Ms. Moorer and told plaintiff that the
repossession was legal and that the car was ready for auction. Tara further told Ms.
Moorer that she would have to speak with Jason at GLS about any matters regarding the
“legal” repossession.
52. Ms. Moorer tried calling Jason several times on November 11, 2015 and
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53. On November 11, 2015, Tara from GLS told Ms. Moorer that she would
have to pay an additional $1,010.00 via Western Union in order to get her car back.
54. Although Ms. Moorer did not have this amount of money, she borrowed the
55. On the morning of November 11, 2015 at 11:44 a.m., Ms. Moorer went to
56. On November 11, 2015, Ms. Moorer called GLS to provide the information
of the (second) Western Union payment (in the amount of $1,010.00). She attempted to
get information about where her car was located, so that she could get it back.
57. Tara from GLS told Ms. Moorer that despite the payment of $1,010.00, Ms.
Moore could not get her car back, because it was ready for auction. Tara told Ms. Moorer
that her option was to have the money refunded to her, because her car was going to be
auctioned.
58. Ms. Moorer asked Tara why she was not being given an opportunity to
remedy the situation. Tara said that it was because she had calculated wrong and had
59. Tara further stated on November 11, 2015 that Ms. Moorer would have to
pay an additional $165.00 in order to get the car back. Ms. Moorer said that she was
11
60. On the morning of November 12, 2015, Ms. Moorer paid GLS via Western
Union a third payment in as many days, in order to get her car back.
61. Ms. Moorer called GLS to give the confirmation number, and Tara told her
that the car had been repossessed by All City and gave her the address 3700 W. Wells in
Milwaukee.
62. At no time did GLS send Ms. Moorer a Notice of Right to Redeem her car
or anything telling her about the right and/or process to redeem or provide her a statement
63. On November 12, 2015, Ms. Moorer went to 3700 W. Wells, where the
64. Ms. Moorer’s car was located in the far back of the lot, requiring several
65. The person at All City and/or Always towing demanded that Ms. Moorer
pay an additional amount of $135.00 in order for her to get her car back. Ms. Moorer
paid the $135.00 and was given a document identifying itself as All City and stamping the
66. On or about November 12, 2015, GLS sent Ms. Moorer a “Notice of Our
Plan to Sell Property” and stated that Ms. Moorer’s car would be sold on “11-30-15 or
after.”
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Wisconsin Consumer Act and were part of a series of conduct that harassed Ms. Moorer.
68. This notice, as with all notices sent by GLS, threatened conduct that could
not legally be taken against Ms. Moorer, given GLS’s failure to comply with the
69. GLS’s failure to provide Ms. Moorer a proper right to redeem was a
70. GLS’s conduct in blocking Ms. Moorer’s right to make payments in various
ways and only permitting her to make payments in ways that cost her additional money
71. On December 1, 2015, GLS sent Ms. Moorer a “Notice of Right to Cure”
and “Notice of Repossession,” telling plaintiff that she was in default and threatening to
repossess her car if the amount supposedly due was not paid by 12/19/15.
72. At the time GLS sent the notice, Ms. Moorer was not in default.
73. The Notice of Right to Cure Default did not meet the requirements of
§§ 425.104 and 425.105, Wis. Stats., because Ms. Moorer was not in default on
December 1, 2015 and because it did not itemize the “delinquency charge.” The Notice
of Right to Cure Default was also defective misstated the amount actually due to GLS.
74. The Notice of Repossession threatened action that could not legally be
taken.
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mental anguish, lost wages, humiliation, loss of privacy, loss of use of her vehicle, and
76. Defendants acted with malice and/or with an intentional disregard of the
V. Claims
First Claim
Violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Against All City and/or Always Towing
80. Plaintiff is entitled to recover her damages, costs, and attorney’s fees
Second Claim
Illegal Repossession by GLS
82. GLS violated §§425.205(1)(g), 425.206, 425.104 and 425.105, Wis. Stats.
14
Fourth Claim
Violation of Wis. Stat. 895.446 - Civil Theft
Against GLS
90. GLS intentionally took and carried away Ms. Moorer’s vehicle without her
consent and without the lawful right to do so and with intent to deprive her permanently
15
conduct, and pursuant to § 895.446, Wis. Stats., is entitled to recover her actual damages,
all costs of investigation and litigation that were reasonably incurred, including the value
of the time spent by her attorney, and punitive or exemplary damages of not more than
the claims set forth in the complaint, that a declaration be entered that defendants violated
the above statutes and laws, that GLS is responsible for Always Towing’s and All City’s
violations, that Always Towing and All City were acting in concert, that plaintiff be
awarded her reasonable attorney’s fees and costs of the action; and for such other relief as
16
)
)
Monique L. Moorer )
)
Plaintiff(s) )
v. ) Civil Action No.
)
)
Always Towing and Recovery, Inc., et al, )
)
Defendant(s) )
Within 21 days after service of this summons on you (not counting the day you receive it) – or 60 days if you are
the United States or a United States agency, or an officer or employee of the United States described in Fed. R. Civ. P.
12(a)(2) or (3) – you must serve on the plaintiff an answer to the attached complaint or a motion under Rule 12 of the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The answer or motion must be served on the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney, whose
name and address are:
Devonna Joy, Consumer Justice Law Center, LLC, P.O. Box 51, Big Bend, WI,
53103-0051
If you fail to respond, judgment by default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint.
You also must file your answer or motion with the court.
Date:
Signature of Clerk or Deputy Clerk
PROOF OF SERVICE
(This section should not be filed with the court unless required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(l))
This summons and the attached complaint for (name of individual and title, if any):
☐ I personally served the summons and the attached complaint on the individual at (place):
on (date) ; or
☐ I left the summons and the attached complaint at the individual’s residence or usual place of abode with (name)
☐ Other (specify):
My fees are $ for travel and $ for services, for a total of $ 0.00
Date:
Server’s signature
Server’s address
)
)
Monique L. Moorer )
)
Plaintiff(s) )
v. ) Civil Action No.
)
)
Always Towing and Recovery, Inc., et al. )
)
Defendant(s) )
Within 21 days after service of this summons on you (not counting the day you receive it) – or 60 days if you are
the United States or a United States agency, or an officer or employee of the United States described in Fed. R. Civ. P.
12(a)(2) or (3) – you must serve on the plaintiff an answer to the attached complaint or a motion under Rule 12 of the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The answer or motion must be served on the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney, whose
name and address are:
Devonna Joy, Consumer Justice Law Center, LLC, P.O. Box 51, Big Bend, WI 53103
If you fail to respond, judgment by default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint.
You also must file your answer or motion with the court.
Date:
Signature of Clerk or Deputy Clerk
PROOF OF SERVICE
(This section should not be filed with the court unless required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(l))
This summons and the attached complaint for (name of individual and title, if any):
☐ I personally served the summons and the attached complaint on the individual at (place):
on (date) ; or
☐ I left the summons and the attached complaint at the individual’s residence or usual place of abode with (name)
☐ Other (specify):
My fees are $ for travel and $ for services, for a total of $ 0.00
Date:
Server’s signature
Server’s address
)
)
Monique L. Moorer )
)
Plaintiff(s) )
v. ) Civil Action No.
)
)
Always Towing and Recovery, Inc. et al. )
)
Defendant(s) )
Within 21 days after service of this summons on you (not counting the day you receive it) – or 60 days if you are
the United States or a United States agency, or an officer or employee of the United States described in Fed. R. Civ. P.
12(a)(2) or (3) – you must serve on the plaintiff an answer to the attached complaint or a motion under Rule 12 of the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The answer or motion must be served on the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney, whose
name and address are:
Devonna Joy, Consumer Justice Law Center, LLC, P.O. Box 51, Big Bend, WI
53103-0051
If you fail to respond, judgment by default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint.
You also must file your answer or motion with the court.
Date:
Signature of Clerk or Deputy Clerk
PROOF OF SERVICE
(This section should not be filed with the court unless required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(l))
This summons and the attached complaint for (name of individual and title, if any):
☐ I personally served the summons and the attached complaint on the individual at (place):
on (date) ; or
☐ I left the summons and the attached complaint at the individual’s residence or usual place of abode with (name)
☐ Other (specify):
My fees are $ for travel and $ for services, for a total of $ 0.00
Date:
Server’s signature
Server’s address