JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Sept. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A class action lawsuit filed in St. Louis City Circuit Court on September 9, 2013 by former clients of Missouri-based consumer attorneys James Eason and Richard Voytas as well as The Eason Law Firm (formerly known as Eason & Voytas) outlines serious allegations that serve as a reminder for consumers to be aware of a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"This lawsuit showcases that far too often occurrence of so-called consumer advocates seeking to exploit lawful debt collection activities in Missouri and throughout the country," said Missouri Collectors Association spokesperson Mark Schiffman.  "Legal action taken on behalf of Missouri consumers should help resolve legitimate wrongdoing and not be used as a vehicle to take advantage of them in order to put money in their own pockets."

The class action suit potentially representing hundreds of consumers filed by St. Louis, Mo. law firm The Barton Law Group alleges that The Eason Law Firm withheld from its clients thousands of dollars in settlement funds and judgment awards relating to Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and Telephone Consumers Protection Act (TCPA) claims against debt collection agencies. Conversion of these funds are a significant breach of fiduciary duty to the clients they had pledged to serve. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs are seeking to recover the withheld funds, punitive damages, attorney's fees and court costs.   

"Legitimate debt collectors are not an enemy of consumers," Schiffman said.  "They are advocates for protecting consumer rights while balancing the difficult job of recovering rightfully owed obligations that maintain America's credit-based economy." More information about working with a debt collector can be found at www.askdoctordebt.org.

Missouri debt collectors provide significant economic impact in the state and those who violate the law should be held fully responsible for their actions.  They annually recover more than $1.3 billion on behalf of public, private and non-profit sector clients; employ more than 7,500 Missourians with a payroll of $252 million; donate more than $1 million to local charitable causes and volunteer nearly 14,000 hours to community-based organizations.

The Missouri Collectors Association is a State Unit of ACA International (www.acainternational.org), the comprehensive, knowledge-based resource for the credit and collection industry. Founded in 1939, ACA represents more than 300,000 men and women in the Accounts Receivables Management industry including third-party collection agencies, asset buyers, attorneys, creditors and vendor affiliates. 

Contact: Mark Schiffman (952) 259-2124 schiffman@acainternational.org  

SOURCE Missouri Collectors Association

RELATED LINKShttp://www.mocollectors.org/