Bank of America must pay a Florida couple for failing to answer a harassment complaint. The couple received relentless phone calls from the bank regarding past due payments on a mortgage.
BofA alleged the calls “were not to collect debt, but help the couple avoid foreclosure.” The couple, however, claimed they received about 700 calls over a four year period. At times, both their cell phones and home phone would ring in succession. The couple filed suit in federal court under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act for harassment and subsequently received a default judgment. The judge refused to reconsider the order.
Default judgment is taught in business law class. This case exemplifies the importance of obeying court rules and responding promptly to a complaint.