MARSHA J. PECHMAN, District Judge.
This matter comes before the Court on Defendant First Horizon/First Tennessee (FBT)'s ("First Horizon") motion to dismiss. (Dkt. No. 6.) Having reviewed the motion, Plaintiff's response (Dkt. No. 9), Defendant's reply (Dkt. No. 13), and all the related filings, the Court GRANTS Defendant's motion to dismiss.
Plaintiffs, Viengxay and Khamsing Sitthidet, commenced this action against First Horizon and several other parties alleging seven causes of action: (1) violations of the Truth in Lending Act ("TILA"), 15 U.S.C. § 1601; (2) violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act ("RESPA"), 12 U.S.C. § 2601, et seq.; (3) violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ("FCRA"); (4) violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ("FDCPA"), (5) violations of state law under RCW 19.16., et seq.; (6) violations of the Consumer Protection Act ("CPA"); and (7) fraud.
In October 2001, Viengxay Sitthidet ("Viengxay") obtained a loan from First Horizon in order to refinance his home at 1814 West Henry Street, Pasco, Washington. (Dkt. No. 1 at 7.) (
By January of 2008, Viengxay states that he "knew something was wrong with his loan" because the principle was decreasing at a slower than expected rate. (
In November 2003, Khamsing Sitthidet ("Khamsing") acquired a loan from Flagstar Bank for a piece of real property located at 12405 141st Place SE, Renton, Washington. (Dkt. No. 1 at 17.) He alleges there were four defects with the loan disclosures: (1) the documents did not use Khamsing's legal name; (2) the lender did not pay for the appraisal fee; (3) the loan was understated; and (4) the lender failed to deliver a Notice of a Consumer's Right to Rescind as required by TILA. (
In 2005, Flagstar transferred the loan to First Horizon. (Dkt. No. 1 at 17) Khamsing alleges servicing problems and fraudulent escrow practices began at this time. (
Khamsing has filed two other actions against First Horizon. First, on April 23, 2010, he filed a proceeding in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. The action was dismissed for a lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Second, on July 9, 2010, Khamsing filed suit in King County Superior Court, which Khamsing voluntarily dismissed. Khamsing and his brother Viengxay then filed this action in April 2012.
"To survive a motion to dismiss, a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to `state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.'"
Plaintiffs contend in their reply that the standard is "no set of facts." (Dkt. No. 9 at 10.) This law, however, is no longer valid.
Plaintiffs' claims for rescission and damages under TILA were filed too late and must be dismissed.
When a borrower alleges improper notice of a right to rescission under TILA, the right to rescission expires three years after the start of the loan transaction or the sale of the property, whichever occurs first. 15 U.S.C. § 1635(f). In
A claim for monetary damages under TILA may be brought within one year of the occurrence of the violation. 15 U.S.C. §1640(e). Generally, the statute of limitations begins accruing at the start of the transaction.
Plaintiffs' claims for rescission under TILA were filed too late. Viengxay obtained his loan in 2001 and did not file suit until eleven years later in 2012. (Dkt. No. 1 at 7). Khamsing obtained his loan in 2003 and did not file suit until nine years later. (Dkt. No. 1 at 18.) Both claims were filed after the three year statutory period, ending the right to rescission.
In addition, Plaintiffs' claims for damages under TILA were filed too late. Viengxay asserts he knew something was wrong with his loan by January 2008. (Dkt. No. 1 at 8.) A year later, in 2009, he was fully aware of the problems associated with his loan. (
The Court GRANTS Defendant's motion and DISMISSES Plaintiffs' TILA claims in full with prejudice.
Plaintiffs' also filed their claims under RESPA too late.
A RESPA claim stemming from improper disclosure of loan terms under section 2605(a) must be brought within three years of the start of the loan. 12 U.S.C. § 2614. All other claims, which are laid out in sections 2605, 2607, 2608, are subject to a one-year statute of limitations.
Vienxgay's claims under RESPA were filed too late. Viengxay obtained his loan in 2001 and did not file suit until 2012. (Dkt. No. 1 at 7.) His claim under § 2605(a) is not subject to equitable tolling and was not brought within three years of the consummation of his loan as required by RESPA. In addition, he was aware of a problem with his loan by January 2008, four years before this suit. (Dkt. No. 1 at 8.) Even if equitable tolling applies, he was aware of the problem more than one year before filing suit.
Khamsing's claims under RESPA were also filed too late. Khamsing obtained his loan in November 2003 and did not file suit until nine years later in 2012. (Dkt. No. 1 at 18.) His claim for improper disclosure under § 2605(e) was not brought within 3 years of the consummation of his loan as required by RESPA. All other claims Khamsing could bring under RESPA are outside of their one-year limitations period, and his prior suit shows that he was aware of the improprieties associated with his loan by 2010, more than one year before he filed this suit.
The Court GRANTS Defendant's motion and DISMISSES Plaintiffs' RESPA claims with prejudice.
Plaintiffs fail to adequately claim that the actions of First Horizon or any defendant violated the FCRA. (Dkt. No. 1 at 21.)
The FCRA strives to ensure accuracy and fairness in credit reporting, and imposes two sets of duties on providers of information under 15 U.S.C. §§ 1681s-2(a) and (b). Only 15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2(b) provides a private right of action for violations of its duties.
Plaintiffs' claim under the FCRA fails to meet the prerequisite requirement of properly notifying a credit reporting agency that they disputed information provided by First Horizon. The complaint does not allege that the Plaintiffs provided any notice to a credit reporting agency. In fact, their reply indicates that they do not believe they should have to. (Dkt. No. 9 at 15.) Because Plaintiffs failed to fulfill the prerequisite requirements under the FCRA, the Court GRANTS Defendant's motion and DISMISSES Plaintiffs' FCRA claims with prejudice.
Plaintiffs' FDCPA claim was filed too late and is time-barred. An action to enforce liability may be brought within one year of the date in which the violation occurs. 12 U.S.C. § 1692k(d). The one year period starts when "the plaintiff knows or has reason to know of the injury which is the basis of the action."
The Court GRANTS Defendant's motion and DISMISSES Plaintiffs' FDCPA claims with prejudice.
Only Vienxgay directly asserts a CPA claim, which was filed too late and is time-barred. All CPA claims must be filed within four years of the event giving rise to the claim. RCW 19.86.120. His claim stems from events occurring at the origination of the loan, such as the lack of disclosure of the interest rate. Vienxgay's loan is outside the statutory period as its origination was in 2001. Thus, Court GRANTS Defendant's motion and DISMISSES Plaintiffs' CPA claims with prejudice.
Both Plaintiffs' claims for fraud are subject to dismissal. Viengxay's claims for fraud were also filed too late. An action for fraud must be filed within three years of its discovery. RCW 4.16.080. Viengxay developed awareness of the fraudulent activity by 2008, and thus, his claim is one year outside the statutory period and it is time-barred. Khamsing does not state in the complaint when he became aware of the fraud. Instead it is only known that he filed suit for the first time in April 2010. While his claim may not be barred by time, he did not plead facts with enough particularity to satisfy the heightened pleading standard of 9(b). The Court DISMISSES Vienxgay's claim with prejudice because it was filed too late, and DISMISSES Khamsing's claim without prejudice because he did not plead fraud with particularity.
The Defendant also contends it is not a "collection agency" under state law.
The court exercises its discretion and DECLINES supplemental jurisdiction over the remaining state law claims under RCW 19.16 et. seq. The Court DISMISSES them without prejudice, but without leave to amend, as it does not have jurisdiction over such claims.
Plaintiffs' have failed to plead viable federal law claims. Plaintiffs' TILA, RESPA, FDCPA, and CPA claims are time-barred, as is Vienxgay's fraud claim. Plaintiffs have not met the prerequisites for the FCRA claim and the Court declines supplemental jurisdiction over the remaining state law claims. The Court GRANTS Defendant's motion and DISMISSES the case in full. All pending motions are STRICKEN and the matter shall be closed.
The clerk is ordered to provide copies of this order to Plaintiffs and all counsel.