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Resident tells council Portnoff collections practices left her owing far more than city refuse fee
Summary
A Scranton resident told council the city’s refuse fee, sent to collection as a $300 balance, rose to $584 after collections activity; she cited prior lawsuits against Portnoff Law Associates and asked the city to investigate collection practices and make accommodations for low-income residents.
During public comment Sharon Smith, a first-time attendee, described her experience with the city’s refuse/garbage fee and the third-party collection firm handling delinquencies. Smith said a $300 refuse fee became $409 in the agency’s first notice and then $584 within 22 days after additional collection charges were added. She said the agency refused to make a payment arrangement for the balance and that demand letters threatened liens and additional fees.
Smith said she had learned the collection firm, Portnoff Law Associates, has faced multiple lawsuits alleging violations of federal and state debt-collection laws, and urged council to investigate. Council asked Smith to provide contact information so staff could follow up and requested administration explore inviting the collection firm to a caucus to discuss practice and consumer protections.
Councilmembers who heard the comments said they would follow up with administration; one councilmember asked staff to contact Smith the next day and to consider having Portnoff meet with council in caucus to answer questions. The administration agreed to reach out and report back to council.
