Murphy v. Bank of America
Filing
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MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 11/28/2012. (JLC)
FILED
2012 Nov-28 PM 12:39
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
SOUTHERN DIVISION
MORGAN MURPHY,
Plaintiff,
v.
BANK OF AMERICA,
Defendant.
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)
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) Case No.: 2:12-CV-2520-VEH
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)
MEMORANDUM OPINION
THIS CAUSE is before the court on the Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss (Doc.
11) (the “Motion”) for failure to state a claim, filed on August 15, 2012. Plaintiff,
with the court’s permission, filed an out of time Response on September 13, 2012.
The Defendant filed its reply on September 20, 2012. The Motion is now ripe for
disposition.
I.
BACKGROUND1
Plaintiff Morgan Murphy (“Murphy”) has served as an officer in the United
States Navy since 1999. Murphy lives in Birmingham, Alabama. He owns a home,
which he financed through a mortgage with the Defendant Bank of America (“BOA”)
1
Because this cause is before the court on a motion to dismiss, the court accepts the
factual allegations of the complaint as true and draws all reasonable inferences in favor of the
Plaintiff. See Randall v. Scott, 610 F.3d 701, 705 (11th Cir. 2010).
at a 4.875% interest rate. In July 2010, Murphy received orders to report to
Afghanistan in September 2010.
In preparation for his deployment, Murphy contacted BOA and spoke with
Youlanda Agulara about his mortgage. Agulara told Murphy that he would not have
to make any loan payments until January 1, 2012, that there would be no negative
credit reporting until December 1, 2011, and that he could ask for a loan modification
upon his return from Afghanistan. (Doc. 1 at 5.) Murphy requested written
confirmation of their conversation. BOA sent Murphy a letter dated September 10,
2010, which said that those who qualify would be protected from late charges and
adverse credit reporting for a specified period of time. The letter did not say when
the protection period would start or when it would end. Additionally, the letter said
that “those who qualify will receive a reduced interest rate of 6%” (Doc. 1 at 5.) The
letter did not say that Murphy was entitled to the reduced interest rate. More
important, the letter did not say that Murphy would not have to make his mortgage
payments.
Murphy returned from active duty in Afghanistan in June 2011. In late October
2011, he learned that BOA had started the foreclosure process on his home. Over the
next several months, Murphy had several conversations with BOA representatives
and received conflicting information regarding the status of his loan.
2
Additionally, in the spring of 2012, Murphy learned that his credit score had
dropped by over one hundred points since he left for Afghanistan. Murphy requested
that BOA correct his credit report. In January 2012, a BOA representative called
Murphy and apologized for BOA’s adverse credit reporting. He told Murphy that
BOA would fix the problem. In February, a BOA representative called Murphy and
told him that BOA would continue to file adverse credit reports. When Murphy told
this representative about his January conversation, the representative said she had no
record of it.
Finally, in July 2012, Murphy learned that BOA would foreclose on his home
on August 2, 2012. At that point, Murphy was seven (7) months behind on his
mortgage payments.
On July 23, 2012, Murphy filed this action. His Complaint alleges that BOA
has violated § 518 and § 527 of the Servicemember Civil Relief Act, 50 App. U.S.C.
§ 501 et seq., (the “SCRA”) as well as the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. §
1681, (the “FCRA”). Section 518 of the SCRA prohibits lenders from taking certain
enumerated actions against service members. Section 527 of the SCRA concerns the
interest rate a lender may charge a service member while the service member is
protected by the SCRA. Murphy’s FCRA claim is derivative of his claim under the
SCRA. (See Doc. 1 at 14) (stating BOA adversely reported on Murphy’s credit for
3
his “failure to make payments which were not due to be made because of the SCRA
but which BOA nevertheless treated as being delinquent.”). The Complaint requests
compensatory and punitive damages for Murphy and all others similarly situated.
The Complaint also requests an injunction prohibiting BOA from foreclosing on
Murphy’s home.
BOA responded to Murphy’s lawsuit by filing a Motion to Dismiss under
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). BOA contends that, because Murphy is
seven months behind on his mortgage, § 518 does not prohibit it from adversely
reporting on his credit or from foreclosing on his home. Similarly, BOA contends
that § 527 sets a statutory maximum interest rate cap, not a mandatory rate. Because
Murphy’s interest rate was, at all times, below the statutory cap, BOA contends that
it has not violated § 527.
II.
LEGAL STANDARD
A Rule 12(b)(6) motion attacks the legal sufficiency of the complaint. See Fed.
R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6). The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure require only that the
complaint provide “‘a short and plain statement of the claim’ that will give the
defendant fair notice of what the plaintiff’s claim is and the grounds upon which it
rests.” Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 47, 78 S. Ct. 99, 103 (1957), abrogated by
Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 127 S. Ct. 1955 (2007); see also Fed. R.
4
Civ. P. 8(a).
While a plaintiff must provide the grounds of his entitlement to relief, Rule 8
does not mandate the inclusion of detailed factual allegations within a complaint.
Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555 (citing Conley, 355 U.S. at 47, 78 S. Ct. 103). However,
at
the
same
time,
“it
d emand s
mo re
th an
an
unadorned,
the-defendant-unlawfully-harmed-me accusation.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662,
678, 129 S. Ct. 1937, 1949 (2009). “[O]nce a claim has been stated adequately, it
may be supported by showing any set of facts consistent with the allegations in the
complaint.” Twombly, 550 U.S. at 563, 127 S. Ct. at 1969.
“While legal conclusions can provide the framework of a complaint, they must
be supported by factual allegations.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 679, 129 S. Ct. at 1950.
“When there are well-pleaded factual allegations, a court should assume their veracity
and then determine whether they plausibly give rise to an entitlement to relief.” Id.
(emphasis added). The court therefore “accept[s] as true the facts set forth in the
complaint and draw[s] all reasonable inferences in the plaintiff’s favor.” Randall v.
Scott, 610 F.3d 701, 705 (11th Cir. 2010). “Under Twombly’s construction of Rule
8 . . . [a plaintiff’s] complaint [must] ‘nudge[] [any] claims’ . . . ‘across the line from
conceivable to plausible.’ Ibid.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 680; 129 S. Ct. at 1950-51.
A claim is plausible on its face “when the plaintiff pleads factual content that
5
allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the
misconduct alleged.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678, 129 S. Ct. at 1949. “The plausibility
standard is not akin to a ‘probability requirement,’ but it asks for more than a sheer
possibility that a defendant has acted unlawfully.” Id. (citation omitted)
III.
ANALYSIS
BOA does not seriously dispute the factual allegations of Murphy’s Complaint.
Instead, BOA contends that, even accepting the allegations of Murphy’s Complaint
as true, the Complaint fails to allege a violation either § 518 or § 527 of the SCRA.
The court will examine each section in turn.
A.
Section 518
The meaning of § 518 is a straightforward question of statutory interpretation.
The “first step in interpreting a statute is to determine whether the language at issue
has a plain and unambiguous meaning with regard to the particular dispute in the
case. [The court’s] inquiry must cease if the statutory language is unambiguous and
the statutory scheme is coherent and consistent.” Robinson v. Shell Oil Co., 519 U.S.
337, 340, 117 S. Ct. 843, 846 (1997) (internal quotation marks and citations omitted).
Section 518 of the SCRA provides, in pertinent part:
Application by a servicemember for, or receipt by a servicemember of,
a stay, postponement, or suspension pursuant to this Act [sections 501
to 515 and 516 to 597b of this Appendix] in the payment of a tax, fine,
6
penalty, insurance premium, or other civil obligation or liability of that
servicemember shall not itself (without regard to other considerations)
provide the basis for any of the following:
(1) A determination by a lender or other person that the
servicemember is unable to pay the civil obligation or liability in
accordance with its terms.
...
(3) An adverse report relating to the creditworthiness of the
servicemember by or to a person engaged in the practice of
assembling or evaluating consumer credit information.
...
50 App. U.S.C. § 518.
Upon examining the plain language of § 518, the court concludes this provision
is an anti-retaliation provision.
The operative language in § 518 is “shall
not . . . provide the basis for.” 50 App. U.S.C. § 518. This language proscribes doing
one thing because of something else. Here, the triggering act is a service member’s
application for, or receipt of, a stay, postponement, or suspension of a civil
obligation. Once a service member applies for or receives a stay, § 518 prohibits a
creditor from doing any of six enumerated activities. See 50 App. U.S.C. § 518(1) &
(3). Two of these activities are relevant here: (1) determining that the servicemember
is unable to pay a civil obligation, and (2) submitting an adverse credit report. See
id. Section 518 is not a blanket prohibition on these two activities. Instead, it only
prohibits doing these activities because of a service member’s application for, or
receipt of, a stay under the SCRA. So long as the creditor has a valid and alternative
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reason for its action, the creditor does not violate § 518. In fact, a creditor may
lawfully consider a service member’s application for, or receipt of, a stay under the
SCRA in deciding to do any of the enumerated activities in § 518. See 50 App.
U.S.C. § 518 (stating that an application “. . . shall not itself (without regard to other
considerations) provide the basis for” any of the six enumerated activities) (emphasis
added). It is only doing one of the enumerated activities solely because of a service
member’s application for, or receipt of, a stay that § 518 prohibits.
Other district court’s have interpreted § 518 to mean the same thing. For
example, in Koenig v. Waukesha State Bank, 2006 WL 2334841, *7 (E.D. Wis.
Aug. 10, 2006), the court explained:
Section 518(3) prohibits a creditor from using the fact that a
servicemember debtor applied for a stay as the basis for an adverse
report of credit worthiness. Therefore, if WSB were to make an adverse
report to a credit bureau regarding Koenig’s credit worthiness based
upon the fact that Koenig applied for a stay under the Act, WSB would
violate § 518(3). However, WSB has not indicated that this is what it
intends to do. Rather, Koenig objects to WSB’s stated intention to report
that Koenig has failed to satisfy his obligation of making equal periodic
payments of the owed amount during the stay period. A plain reading of
§ 518 indicates that this sort of reporting would not be prohibited under
the Act. Koenig provides no support for his argument that such reporting
is prohibited.
Therefore, WSB is prohibited from reporting the fact of Koenig’s
request for a stay itself as a basis for an adverse report regarding
Koenig’s credit worthiness; however, WSB may, if applicable and
subject to all other laws governing the matter, adversely report that
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Koenig has failed to satisfy his obligation within the stay period. Thus,
in regards to this claim, summary judgment shall be granted in favor of
the defendant.
See also Rodriguez v. American Express, 2006 WL 908613, at *7 (E.D.Cal. Apr. 7,
2006); Martin v. Armstrong, 1998 WL 1765716, at *2 (E.D.Tex. Sept. 21, 1998).
While the Koenig, Rodriguez, and Martin opinions are unreported, the court finds
them persuasive, especially given Murphy’s failure to cite any authority to the
contrary. (See Doc. 16.)
Turning to Murphy’s Complaint, it alleges two separate violations of § 518.
Count Three alleges that BOA violated § 518(3) by reporting adversely on Murphy’s
credit beginning in August 2011, after Murphy had returned from active duty. Count
Five alleges that BOA violated § 518(1) in determining that Murphy was unable to
pay his mortgage.2 However, the Complaint does not allege that BOA took either
action because Murphy applied for, or received, a stay under the SCRA.3 In fact, the
Complaint alleges that Murphy was seven months behind on his mortgage because
2
Count Five also references § 518(3). However, this count relates primarily to the
foreclosure sale and not Murphy’s credit score. Thus, this reference to § 518(3) seems
superfluous. Either way, the court’s analysis would be the same.
3
BOA also argues that Murphy never applied for or received a stay, postponement or
suspension of his mortgage under the SCRA. Murphy counters that his phone conversation with
Agulara before he left for Afghanistan qualifies as an application for relief under the SCRA. The
court need not decide this question. Even if Murphy’s conversation with Agulara was an
“application” under the SCRA, the Complaint still fails to state a violation of § 518.
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he did not make his mortgage payments while he was in Afghanistan. Murphy’s
missed payments are a valid and alternative reason for BOA to file an adverse credit
report and for BOA to determine that Murphy could not pay his mortgage.
Nothing in § 518, or any other section of the SCRA, excused Murphy from
making his mortgage payments while on active duty. And, nothing in § 518 prohibits
BOA from making adverse credit report or foreclosing on Murphy’s home because
of his missed payments. If BOA represented to Murphy that he did not have to pay
his mortgage while away in Afghanistan, then Murphy may have a claim for that
misrepresentation. But, that misrepresentation is not actionable under § 518.
The Complaint does not adequately allege that BOA acted because of
Murphy’s application for or receipt of a stay under the SCRA. Thus, the Complaint
fails to allege a plausible violation of § 518. Counts Three and Five are due to be
DISMISSED for failure to state a claim for which the court can grant relief.
B.
Section 527
As with § 518, the court concludes that the language of § 527 is plain and
unambiguous. Section 527 imposes a six percent (6%) cap on interest rates for
service members while in protected status. The statute provides:
(a)
Interest rate limitation
(1)
Limitation to 6 percent
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(2)
(3)
An obligation or liability bearing interest at a rate in excess of 6
percent per year that is incurred by a servicemember, or the
servicemember and the servicemember's spouse jointly, before the
servicemember enters military service shall not bear interest at a
rate in excess of 6 percent-(A) during the period of military service and one year
thereafter, in the case of an obligation or liability
consisting of a mortgage, trust deed, or other security in the
nature of a mortgage; or
(B)
during the period of military service, in the case of any
other obligation or liability.
Forgiveness of interest in excess of 6 percent
Interest at a rate in excess of 6 percent per year that would
otherwise be incurred but for the prohibition in paragraph (1) is
forgiven.
Prevention of acceleration of principal
The amount of any periodic payment due from a servicemember
under the terms of the instrument that created an obligation or
liability covered by this section shall be reduced by the amount of
the interest forgiven under paragraph (2) that is allocable to the
period for which such payment is made.
(b)
Implementation of limitation
(1)
Written notice to creditor
In order for an obligation or liability of a servicemember to be
subject to the interest rate limitation in subsection (a), the
servicemember shall provide to the creditor written notice and a
copy of the military orders calling the servicemember to military
service and any orders further extending military service, not later
than 180 days after the date of the servicemember's termination
or release from military service.
Limitation effective as of date of order to active duty
Upon receipt of written notice and a copy of orders calling a
servicemember to military service, the creditor shall treat the debt
in accordance with subsection (a), effective as of the date on
which the servicemember is called to military service.
(2)
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(c)
Creditor protection
A court may grant a creditor relief from the limitations of this
section if, in the opinion of the court, the ability of the
servicemember to pay interest upon the obligation or liability at
a rate in excess of 6 percent per year is not materially affected by
reason of the servicemember's military service.
(d)
Definitions
In this section:
(1) Interest
The term “interest” includes service charges, renewal
charges, fees, or any other charges (except bona fide
insurance) with respect to an obligation or liability.
(2) Obligation or liability
The term “obligation or liability” includes an obligation or
liability consisting of a mortgage, trust deed, or other
security in the nature of a mortgage.
50 App. U.S.C. § 527. Section 527 does not excuse a service member from making
mortgage payments. Only the amount of interest on the mortgage which would
exceed six percent (6%) is excused. See § 527(a)(2) & (3).
In this case, Counts One and Two assert that BOA violated § 527 by failing to
apply the statutorily mandated interest rate of six percent (6%) to Murphy’s loan.
(Doc. 1 at 11–12.) However, it is undisputed that Murphy’s interest rate on his
mortgage was fixed at four point eight seven five percent (4.875%). (Doc. 11-1 at
12
2.)4 This rate is below the statutory maximum cap of six percent (6%). Therefore,
BOA has not violated § 527. Counts One and Two are due to be DISMISSED for
failure to state a claim.
C. Fair Credit Reporting Act
Finally, Count Four asserts a claim against BOA for violating the FCRA by
“report[ing] adversely on [Murphy’s] credit when it was prohibited from doing so by
the SCRA. Such adverse reports were based on [Murphy’s] failure to make payments
which were not due to be made because of the SCRA but which BOA nevertheless
treated as being delinquent.” (Doc. 1 at 14.) Therefore, it is clear from the
allegations in Count Four that this claim stands or falls with Murphy’s claims under
the SCRA. Because the court has already determined that BOA did not violate the
SCRA, BOA has not violated the FCRA. Count Four is due to be DISMISSED for
failure to state a claim.
IV.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, Defendant’ s Motion to Dismiss (Doc. 11) is
4
Murphy’s mortgage note was not attached to the Complaint. Instead, BOA attached the
note to its Motion to Dismiss. Ordinarily, a court may not consider evidence outside the
pleadings in resolving a Motion to Dismiss without converting the motion to one for summary
judgment. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(d). However, the note is central to Murphy’s claims, especially
Counts One and Two, and its authenticity is not disputed. Therefore, under the “incorporation by
reference” doctrine, the court may consider the note without converting BOA’s motion to one for
summary judgment. See Horsley v. Feldt, 304 F.3d 1125, 1134 (11th Cir. 2002); Brooks v. Blue
Cross & Blue Shield of Fla., Inc., 116 F.3d 1364, 1369 (11th Cir. 1997).
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GRANTED. This case is hereby DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE for failure
to state a claim. A separate final judgment will be entered.5
DONE and ORDERED this the 28th day of November, 2012.
VIRGINIA EMERSON HOPKINS
United States District Judge
5
Plaintiff’s request to certify a class action is MOOT.
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