CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A California debt collection company has agreed to refund $1.7 million to 124 consumers in West Virginia and cancel their debts.
West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw announced the agreement with Irvine, Calif.-based DP & Associates on Tuesday.
The agreement stems from an investigation of a consumer's complaint by McGraw's office. The complaint alleged that DP & Associates harassed the consumer's family members and falsely threatened arrest in telephone calls regarding a debt the consumer allegedly owed.
McGraw says the company will refund all the money it collected, release any judgments it obtained against consumers and close all West Virginia accounts with a zero balance. The company also will notify credit-reporting bureaus to delete references to the debts.

