Fugate v. Jackson Hewitt, Inc.

347 S.W.3d 81, 2011 Mo. App. LEXIS 237, 2011 WL 690575

• Court: Missouri Court of Appeals
• Decided: March 1, 2011
• Docket: WD 72353
• Status: Published

Opinions

JAMES EDWARD WELSH, Judge.

Sherita Fugate appeals the circuit court’s judgment dismissing her petition for a class action complaint against the tax preparation company Jackson Hewitt, Inc. Fugate had alleged in her petition that Jackson Hewitt failed to comply with statutory requirements for credit services organizations when it obtained an income tax refund anticipation loan (“RAL”) for her. She further alleged that Jackson Hewitt’s noncomplianee with the credit services organizations statutes constituted a violation of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. The circuit court dismissed Fugate’s petition on the basis that Jackson Hewitt was not a credit services organization and, therefore, was not subject to the statutory requirements for credit services organizations. Alternatively, the court concluded that dismissal was appropriate because, even if Jackson Hewitt were a credit services organization, Fugate failed to allege any actual damages that she suffered as a result of Jackson Hewitt’s noncompliance with the statutory requirements. Fugate challenges these conclusions on appeal. We reverse and remand the case to the circuit court for further proceedings.

When reviewing a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, we treat the facts contained in the petition as true. Hamid v. Kansas City Club, 293 S.W.3d 123, 125 (Mo.App.2009). The facts, as alleged in Fugate’s petition, are as follows. On January 19, 2007, Jackson Hewitt prepared Fugate’s 2006 federal income tax return. At the same time, Jackson Hewitt obtained an extension of credit for her in the form of an RAL from Santa Barbara Bank & Trust (“SBBT”). The RAL was based upon Fugate’s anticipated income tax refund. Fugate indirectly paid Jackson Hewitt for arranging her RAL because the principal amount of the loan included the cost of obtaining the loan. Additionally, the RAL included in its principal amount the fees Jackson Hewitt charged for the preparation and filing of Fugate’s federal income tax return. Fugate’s RAL agreement with SBBT¹ indicated that Jackson Hewitt received money from SBBT in connection with the extension of credit to Fugate. Specifically, the agreement stated that SBBT “will pay compensation to” Jackson Hewitt in consideration of rights that Jackson Hewitt granted to SBBT and services that Jackson Hewitt performed on behalf of SBBT.

Fugate filed her petition for a class action against Jackson Hewitt two years after the RAL transaction. In Count I of her petition, Fugate contended that, because Jackson Hewitt obtained an extension of credit for her, Jackson Hewitt was a credit services organization pursuant to section 407.637, RSMo 2000. Fugate alleged that, as a credit services organization, Jackson Hewitt was required to comply with certain statutory requirements but failed to do so. In particular, Fugate alleged that Jackson Hewitt failed to register with the Director of Finance as a credit services organization as required by section 407.640, RSMo 2000; failed to obtain a surety bond or establish a surety account as required by section 407.639, RSMo 2000; failed to provide her with documents and disclosures required by section 407.641, RSMo 2000, including a statement of the buyer’s rights; and failed to provide her with documents and disclosures required by section 407.642, RSMo 2000, including copies of a notice of cancellation and a contract with the necessary inclusions.

Fugate claimed that Jackson Hewitt’s noncompliance with these statutes gave rise to a cause of action under section 407.644, RSMo 2000. Section 407.644.1(1) says that “[a] buyer injured by a violation of sections 407.635 to 407.644 may bring an action for the recovery of damages. The damages awarded may not be less than the amount paid by the buyer to the credit services organization, plus reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs.” The statute also permits an award of punitive damages. § 407.644.1(2). Fugate alleged that Jackson Hewitt’s violations damaged her and the proposed class members² in an amount equal to all fees and charges they incurred in connection with Jackson Hewitt’s arrangement of the RAL.

In Count II of her petition, Fugate contended that Jackson Hewitt violated the Merchandising Practices Act, sections 407.010-407.130, RSMo. Section 407.644.3 provides that a violation of the credit services organization statutes is an unlawful practice under the Merchandising Practices Act, and that the violator “shall be subject to all penalties, remedies and procedures provided in sections 407.010 to 407.130.”

Jackson Hewitt moved to dismiss Fu-gate’s petition. Following a hearing, the circuit court dismissed Fugate’s petition after concluding that it failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. The court determined that Jackson Hewitt was not a credit services organization under Missouri law, and therefore, Fugate could not maintain a cause of action for Jackson Hewitt’s alleged noncompliance with the statutory requirements for a credit services organization. The court also concluded that, even if Jackson Hewitt were a credit services organization, Fugate could not prevail because she did not allege any actual damages that she suffered due to Jackson Hewitt’s failing to identify itself as a credit services organization and its failing to make the statutorily-required disclosures. Because Fugate’s Merchandising Practices Act violation claim in Count II was predicated upon the successful prosecution of her claim in Count I, the court dismissed both counts of her petition. Fugate appeals.

We review a dismissal for failure to state a claim de novo. Lynch v. Lynch, 260 S.W.3d 834, 836 (Mo. banc 2008). A motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim “is solely a test of the adequacy of the plaintiffs petition.” Keveney v. Mo. Military Acad., 304 S.W.3d 98, 101 (Mo. banc 2010). We accept the plaintiffs allegations as true, and we do not attempt to weigh any of the alleged facts or judge their credibility or persuasiveness. Id. “The petition is reviewed in an almost academic manner, to determine if the facts alleged meet the elements of a recognized cause of action or of a cause that might be adopted in that case.” Id. In making this determination, we give the pleadings their broadest intendment and most liberal construction, and we accord the petition “ ‘all reasonable inferences deducible from the facts stated.’ ” Lakeridge Enters., Inc. v. Knox, 311 S.W.3d 268, 271 (Mo.App.2010) (citation omitted).

In her first point, Fugate claims that the dismissal was erroneous because Jackson Hewitt is a credit services organization under the plain language of the credit services organization statutes. In interpreting the credit services organization statutes to determine their applicability to Jackson Hewitt, we must “ ‘ascertain the intent of the legislature from the language used, ... give effect to that intent if possible, and ... consider the words in their plain and ordinary meaning.’ ” S. Metro. Fire Prot. Dist. v. City of Lee’s Summit, 278 S.W.3d 659, 666 (Mo. banc 2009) (citation omitted). “If statutory language is not defined expressly, it is given its plain and ordinary meaning, as typically found in the dictionary.” Derousse v. State Farm Mid. Auto. Ins. Co., 298 S.W.3d 891, 895 (Mo. banc 2009).

Section 407.637.1 defines a credit services organization:

1. A credit services organization is a person who, with respect to the extension of credit by others and in return for the payment of money or other valuable consideration, provides or represents that the person can or will provide any of the following services:

(1) Improving the buyer’s credit record, history or rating;

(2) Obtaining an extension of credit for a buyer; or

(3)Providing advice or assistance to a buyer with regard to subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection.

Two of this statute’s terms are further defined in section 407.635, RSMo 2000. Section 407.635(3) defines an “extension of credit” as “the right to defer payment of debt or to incur debt and defer its payment offered or granted primarily for personal family or household purposes.” Section 407.635(1) defines a “buyer” as “an individual who is solicited to purchase or who purchases the services of a credit services organization.”

In her petition, Fugate asserted that Jackson Hewitt obtained an extension of credit for her, in the form of an RAL, from SBBT. Fugate further asserted that she indirectly paid Jackson Hewitt for obtaining the RAL because the principal amount of the loan included the cost of obtaining it, and her agreement with SBBT disclosed that SBBT paid Jackson Hewitt for services that Jackson Hewitt performed in connection with Fugate’s RAL.

There is no dispute that the RAL was an extension of credit, as it was a debt that Fugate incurred and deferred paying until she received her federal income tax refund. The dispute in this case is whether Fugate’s allegations that she indirectly paid Jackson Hewitt because she paid SBBT for the cost of obtaining the RAL, who, in turn, paid Jackson Hewitt, were sufficient to demonstrate (1) that she was a “buyer,” and (2) that Jackson Hewitt was a “credit services organization” because it obtained the RAL for her “in return for the payment of money.” Jackson Hewitt argues that Fugate had to allege that she directly paid Jackson Hewitt for obtaining the RAL in order to satisfy the statutory definitions of a “buyer” and a “credit services organization.” We disagree, however, because neither definition contains a requirement that the consumer directly pay the loan arranger for obtaining the loan.

To plead that she was a “buyer” under section 407.635(1), Fugate had to allege facts showing that she purchased Jackson Hewitt’s service of obtaining the RAL for her. The plain and ordinary meaning of “purchase” is “to obtain (as merchandise) by paying money or its equivalent: buy for a price.” Webster’s Third New International Dictionary of the English Language Unabridged 1844 (1993). This dictionary definition of “purchase” requires that the recipient of goods, or in this case, services, pay money or other consideration for obtaining such services. It also requires that the provider of services receive payment for such services. It does not, however, require a direct payment from the recipient to the provider for the services. Nothing in section 407.635(1)’s definition of a “buyer” requires that the payment from the buyer to the credit services organization be a direct payment.

Similarly, nothing in section 407.637.1’s definition of a “credit services organization” as a person who provides services “in return for the payment of money or other valuable consideration” requires that it be a direct payment. Jackson Hewitt notes that the dictionary definition of the phrase “in return” is “to give or perform in return: repay” and “to respond in kind.”³ Although Jackson Hewitt argues that this language contemplates only a direct exchange of payment for services between the buyer and the credit services organization, we do not read it so narrowly. As long as the credit services organization provides services to the buyer, the buyer pays for those services, and the credit services organization receives payment for the services, section 407.637.1 is satisfied. There is nothing explicit or implicit in the plain and ordinary meaning of the phrase “in return” that requires a direct payment from the buyer to the credit services organization.

The plain and ordinary meaning of the statutory language defining a “buyer” and a “credit services organization” is broad enough to encompass both direct and indirect payments. Construing Fugate’s petition liberally and according all reasonable inferences from the facts stated, we find that Fugate sufficiently pled that she was a buyer under section 407.635(1) and that Jackson Hewitt was a credit services organization under section 407.637.1.⁴

In so holding, we reject Jackson Hewitt’s contention that the legislature intended that the credit services organization statutes apply to only traditional credit repair businesses, that is, entities who offer to help consumers fix a bad credit record. The legislature defined a “credit services organization” as a person who provides, or represents that it can provide, “any” of the services listed in section 407.637.1’s three subdivisions. The service listed in subdivision (1), “[i]mproving the buyer’s credit record, history or rating,” refers to a service that is typically provided by traditional credit repair businesses. § 407.637.1(1). The services listed in subdivisions (2) and (3), two of which include obtaining an extension of credit for a buyer and providing advice or assistance to a buyer with regard to obtaining an extension of credit, are not services that are provided by only credit repair businesses. There is nothing implicit or explicit in the language of section 407.637.1 that limits the definition of “credit services organization” to only credit repair businesses.⁵

Nevertheless, Jackson Hewitt insists that, when section 407.637.1 is considered in pari materia with other credit services organization statutes, it shows the legislature’s intent to limit section 407.637.1’s applicability to only credit repair businesses.⁶ We need not look beyond section 407.637.1 to interpret its meaning, however, because the statutory language is clear. Turner v. Sch. Dist. of Clayton, 318 S.W.3d 660, 668-69 (Mo. banc 2010). When a statute’s own language is clear and unambiguous, we do not apply the canons of statutory construction to determine the legislature’s intent. Id. at 669.

Similarly, we reject Jackson Hewitt’s contention that we should adopt its interpretation because the Division of Finance’s website refers only to credit repair businesses on its webpage concerning the licensing of credit services organizations. Credit Service Organizations, Missouri Division of Finance, State of Missouri, http://finance.mo.gov/ consumercredit/creditservice.php (last accessed Feb. 22, 2011). We recognize that “[t]he interpretation and construction of a statute by an agency charged with its administration is entitled to great weight.” State ex rel. Barnett v. Mo. State Lottery Comm’n, 196 S.W.3d 72, 75 (Mo.App.2006) (internal quotation omitted). We question, however, whether the Division’s six-sentence summary of the credit services organization statutes on its website constitutes an official “interpretation” of those statutes. Moreover, it would be inappropriate for this court to defer to an agency’s interpretation of a statute that expands, narrows, or is inconsistent with the plain and ordinary meaning of the words of the statute. See Dep’t of Soc. Servs., Div. of Med. Servs. v. Senior Citizens Nursing Home Dist. of Ray Co., 224 S.W.3d 1, 15 (Mo.App.2007). An interpretation of section 407.637.1 that narrows the definition of a “credit services organization” to only a credit repair business is inconsistent with the plain and ordinary meaning of the statute.

Section 407.637.2 provides a list of ten entities that are exempt from the credit services organization statutes. These entities include, among other things, real estate brokers, lawyers, and stocks and commodities broker-dealers, none of which are considered credit repair businesses. Thus, if, as Jackson Hewitt contends, the plain and ordinary meaning of section 407.637.1 were to refer only to credit repair businesses, a provision expressly exempting certain entities that are not considered credit repair businesses would be unnecessary. We presume that “ ‘the legislature did not insert verbiage or superfluous language in a statute.’ ” Turner, 318 S.W.3d at 673 (citation omitted).

If the legislature had intended that the credit services organization statutes not apply to tax preparers who offer or obtain RALs for their customers, it could have included them in section 407.637.2’s list of exemptions.⁷ That the legislature did not indicates its intent that the credit services organization statutes apply to such entities. See Brinker Mo., Inc. v. Dir. of Revenue, 319 S.W.3d 433, 438 (Mo. banc 2010).

Pursuant to the plain and ordinary meaning of section 407.637, Fugate’s allegations that Jackson Hewitt obtained an RAL for her and that she indirectly paid Jackson Hewitt for doing so were sufficient to plead that Jackson Hewitt was a “credit services organization” subject to the provisions of sections 407.635 to 407.644. The circuit court erred in dismissing on this basis. We grant Fugate’s first point.⁸

In her second point, Fugate claims that the dismissal was erroneous because, contrary to the circuit court’s conclusion, she sufficiently pled an injury that she suffered due to Jackson Hewitt’s noncompliance with the credit services organization statutes. Missouri is a “ ‘fact-pleading¹ state.” ITT Commercial Fin. Corp. v. Mid-Am. Marine Supply Corp., 854 S.W.2d 371, 379 (Mo. banc 1993). “If the petition contains only conclusions and does not contain the ultimate facts or any allegations from which to infer those facts, the petition may be dismissed for failure to state a claim.” Bohac v. Walsh, 223 S.W.3d 858, 862 (Mo.App.2007).

The statute that provides for a cause of action based upon a violation of the credit services organization statutes is section 407.644.1(1). Section 407.644.1(1) says that “[a] buyer injured by a violation of sections 407.635 to 407.644 may bring an action for recovery of damages. The damages awarded may not be less than the amount paid by the buyer to the credit services organization, plus reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs.”

In her petition, Fugate alleged that Jackson Hewitt violated the credit services organization statutes by failing to register as a credit services organization with the Director of Finance, failing to obtain a surety bond or establish a surety account, and failing to give her required documents and disclosures. Fugate further alleged that, “[a]s a result of Jackson Hewitt’s violations of the Credit Service Organizations Act, Ms. Fugate and the proposed class have been damaged in an amount equal to all fees and charges they incurred in connection with Jackson Hewitt’s arrangement of the RAL.”

A reasonable inference from the allegations in Fugate’s petition is that she was injured by Jackson Hewitt’s violations because she paid for its services without receiving the protections, documents, and disclosures that a credit services organization is statutorily required to provide to a buyer. Thus, she alleged an injury. Whether her alleged injury is credible or persuasive is not a decision for this court to make in reviewing a dismissal for failure to state a claim. Keveney, 304 S.W.3d at 101. Count I of Fugate’s petition pled a claim under section 407.644.1. The circuit court erred in dismissing on this basis. We grant Fugate’s second point.

We, therefore, reverse the circuit court’s determination that Fugate failed to state a claim under the credit services organization statutes. Consequently, we also reverse the circuit court’s dismissal of her Merchandising Practices Act claim, which is predicated upon her claim under the credit services organization statutes. The case is remanded to the circuit court for further proceedings.

Judge GARY D. WITT concurs.

Presiding Judge CYNTHIA L. MARTIN writes the dissent.

1 . The RAL agreement was attached as an exhibit to Fugate’s petition. Therefore, the agreement was a part of the petition “for all purposes” and is to be considered as part of the allegations in determining whether the petition states a claim upon which relief can be granted. Rule 55.12; Hendricks v. Curators of Univ. of Mo., 308 S.W.3d 740, 747 (Mo.App.2010).

2 . Fugate's proposed class consisted of all Missouri residents who, in the four years preceding the filing of the petition and thereafter, obtained from Jackson Hewitt an RAL, for which Jackson Hewitt received a fee for obtaining or helping to obtain or arrange, and for which Jackson Hewitt had not complied with the statutory requirements for credit services organizations.

3 . In support of this definition, Jackson Hewitt cites the definition of the word "return” from Meriuam-Webster’s Dictionary 1065 (11th ed.2004).

4 . We emphasize that, pursuant to our standard of review, we do not judge the credibility or persuasiveness of Fugate's allegations but, rather, review them only to determine if they state the elements of a recognized cause of action. Keveney, 304 S.W.3d at 101. Thus, Fugate's allegations that Jackson Hewitt obtained an RAL for her from SBBT and that she indirectly paid Jackson Hewitt for obtaining the RAL are sufficient to survive a motion to dismiss. To proceed further, however, Fu-gate must support these allegations with the requisite proof.

5 . Unlike Missouri’s credit services organization statutes, the federal Credit Repair Organizations Act, § 15 U.S.C. 1679, et seq., does limit its applicability to credit repair organizations. Pursuant to § 15 U.S.C. 1679a(3)(A) (1996), a credit repair organization:

(A) means any person who uses any instrumentality of interstate commerce or the mails to sell, provide, or perform (or represent that such person can or will sell, provide, or perform) any service, in return for the payment of money or other valuable consideration, for the express or implied purpose of-

(i) improving any consumer's credit record, credit history, or credit rating; or

(ii) providing advice or assistance to any consumer with regard to any activity or service described in clause (i)[J

6 . Jackson Hewitt points to certain provisions in section 407.638 which prohibit activities that are typically associated with credit repair businesses. Jackson Hewitt also contends that some of the required disclosures in section 407.641, RSMo 2000, are relevant only in the context of credit repair transactions.

7 . For example, we note that Delaware, whose definition of a credit services organization is identical to Missouri’s, exempts loan brokers "who are not engaged in the other activities of credit services organizations as described in subsection (a) of this section.” Del.Code Ann tit. 6, § 2402(b)(10) (2006). The "other activities” language refers to "[¡Improving a buyer’s credit record, history or rating” or providing advice or assistance in doing so. Del.Code Ann. tit. 6, § 2402(a) (2006). Thus, Delaware specifically exempts entities that obtain loans for buyers but do not provide credit repair services.

8 . This is a case of first impression in Missouri. The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia recently addressed this exact issue in Harper v. Jackson Hewitt, Inc., 227 W.Va. 142, 706 S.E.2d 63 (W.Va.2010). In holding that Jackson Hewitt was a credit services organization pursuant to W. Va.Code § 46A-6C-2(a) (2004), which is identical to our section 407.637.1, the West Virginia court said that the "plain and broad sweeping language contained in the statute leads us to no other possible conclusion.” Id. at 71. Rejecting Jackson Hewitt’s contention that the statute required direct payments from the consumer to the credit services organization, the court found that "a tax preparer who receives compensation, either directly from the borrower or in the form of payments from the lending bank, for helping a borrower obtain a RAL meets the statutory definition of a credit services organization under W. Va.Code § 46A-6C-2(a).” Id. The court also found that the plaintiffs qualified as "buyers” under W. Va. Code § 46A-6C-1(1) (1991), which is identical to our section 407.635(1), because the plaintiffs "purchased, whether indirectly or directly, the services of a credit services organization.” Id. at 72.

1 . I observe that tax preparers who directly charge and are paid a fee by the consumer tax payer to either obtain a third party lender to extend an RAL or to themselves extend an RAL, would fall within the definition of "credit services organization” and would not, as Fugate correctly notes, be exempt under section 407.637.2.