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Cook County State's Attorney and Illinois Attorney General
File Lawsuits Against Major Debt Collection Agency

Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan both filed lawsuits today against a major debt collection company for allegedly violating the Illinois Collection Agency Act and the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

The lawsuits were filed against Contractor’s Lien Services, Inc., located at 6315 North Milwaukee, Chicago; and Steven Boucher, its operator.  Contractor’s Lien Services describes itself as “the leading lien filer in the Nation.”  Contractor’s Lien Services also represents that it “files more mechanics liens on behalf of contractors in the United States than any other company in the industry or law firms combined.”  
    
The lawsuits allege that Contractor’s Lien Services and Steven Boucher engaged in the debt collection business without a license.  Contractor’s Lien Services assists contractors and subcontractors to collect monies for unpaid work or materials.  Contractor’s Lien Services attempts to collect these debts by sending written payment demands to homeowners and by recording Mechanics Liens against the owners’ properties.  A Mechanics Lien is a claim for the payment of monies that is recorded on the property title of a home or business.

The lawsuits also allege that many of the Mechanics Liens recorded by Contractor’s Lien Services are deceptive.  Contractor’s Lien Services allegedly includes non-lienable items, overcharges, and non-performed services into its Mechanics Liens.  The incorporation of non-lienable items, overcharges, and non-performed services into Mechanics Liens grossly inflates the liens, impairs real estate titles, and undermines the integrity of the title recording system.

According to the State’s Attorney’s investigation, neither Contractor’s Lien Services nor Steven Boucher has ever possessed an Illinois license to practice as a debt collection agency.

“The homeowners involved in these lawsuits were clearly taken advantage of by an unscrupulous company that knowingly used deceptive and unlawful tactics for their own gain,” Alvarez said.  “Consumers in Cook County need to know that they have rights and that companies who violate these rights will be prosecuted.  This show of force between the State’s Attorney’s Office and Attorney General Madigan sends a message to deceptive businesses in Illinois.”

The lawsuits seek to permanently enjoin the Defendants from engaging in any further alleged deceptive debt collection practices.  Refunds for victims, civil penalties, and the release of many Mechanics Liens are also being sought from the Defendants.

The State’s Attorney’s lawsuit was initiated after Contractor’s Lien Services had recorded suspect Mechanics Liens on the homes of several residents of Hoffman Estates.  The Hoffman Estates Police Department, Cook County Recorder of Deeds, and Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation provided valuable assistance to the State’s Attorney’s Office in its investigation of Contractor’s Lien Services.

“These defendants are aggressively abusing the law, making gross misrepresentations and using unfair tactics to obtain payments on debts that often don’t even exist, and homeowners are being forced to expend unnecessary resources defending these meritless claims,” Madigan said. “I am pleased to work with State’s Attorney Alvarez in pursuing this case to bring an end to these deceptive practices.”

Consumers who believe that they have been the victim of Mechanics Lien fraud, or have any questions regarding these lawsuits, should contact the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Consumer Fraud Division at 312/603-8700.  Spanish speaking services are available.