The Associated Credit Agency has a reputation for tenacity in debt collections. Case in point: Wendy Ehringer, a Seattle paralegal who unintentionally wrote a bad cheque. The ACS filed a lawsuit against her and screwed her once flawless credit rating. Sounds about right, until one hears that Ehringer owed a staggering 18 cents.

It started when Ehringer treated some friends to burgers, paid by cheque, but forgot to cover it in her account. The ACS contacted her, asking for $15.02, plus $40 in recovery fees. Ehringer paid, but the ACS claimed her payment arrived a day late. They wanted 18 cents in interest and $311 in attorney’s fees. Ehringer turned to lawyer Amanda Lee.

Unwilling to drop the case, the ACS appeared at a Seattle District Court, where they were found in violation of the Consumer Protection Act and the Collection Agency Act. The debt was dismissed and Ehringer was awarded $500 in damages, plus lawyer’s fees. :

» Scott Saxon