Wayne H. NORMAN, Plaintiff-Appellant v. RJM ACQUISITIONS, L.L.C., Defendant-Appellee, 518 F. App'x 288

PER CURIAM: Proceeding pro se and informa pauper-is, Wayne H. Norman contests the

summary judgment awarded RJM Acquisitions, L.L.C., against his claims under 15 U.S.C. §§ 1681 (Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)) and 1692 (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act). He contends: RJM obtained his credit file without a permissible purpose; RJM did not meet its

summary-judgment burden, because it provided insufficient evidence of its owning his account (Douglas Greenberg’s affidavit); and the district court should have decided whether RJM established, as a matter of law, its ownership of his account. RJM maintains Norman, by his own allegations, acknowledged RJM’s obtaining his credit information for the purpose of debt collection, a permissible purpose. A

summary judgment is reviewed de novo, with all facts and evidence viewed in the light most favorable to the non-mov-ant. E.g., Xtreme Lashes, LLC v. Xtended Beauty, Inc., 576 F.3d 221, 226 (5th Cir. 2009).

Summary judgment is appropriate “if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a). To oppose a properly supported

summary-judgment motion, the non-movant may not rely merely on its pleadings, but must, in its response, identify specific evidence in the record and articulate how that evidence supports its opposing the motion. Duffie v. United States, 600 F.3d 362, 371 (5th Cir.2010). Conclusory allegations or unsubstantiated assertions do not satisfy the non-movant’s burden. Id. The FCRA imposes civil liability upon a person who willfully obtains a consumer report for a purpose not authorized by the FCRA. 15 U.S.C. §§ 1681b(f), 1681n(a).

It expressly permits, however, distribution of a consumer report to an entity that “intends to use the information in connection with a credit transaction involving the consumer on whom the information is to be furnished and involving the extension of credit to, or review or collection of an account of, the consumer.” 15 U.S.C. § 1681b(a)(3)(A). Norman claimed RJM violated the FCRA by obtaining his credit report without a permissible purpose.

However, the documents attached to Norman’s complaint show his original account was purchased by RJM, which made an address inquiry on his credit report for purposes of collection of the debt. E.g., Kennedy v. Chase Manhattan Bank USA, NA, 369 F.3d 833, 839 (5th Cir.2004) (court may consider attachments to complaint as part of pleadings).

In his pleadings, Norman alleged the record showed RJM’s “intention was to pull the credit report for collection purposes”, and he provided no evidence to dispute that, as established by Greenberg’s affidavit and by his own allegations, RJM obtained his credit information for the permissible purpose of debt collection. We affirmed the district court’s dismissing Norman’s previous FCRA claims in Norman v. Northland Group, Inc., 495 Fed.Appx. 425 (5th Cir.2012), in which Norman made similar contentions. Norman’s appeal is without arguable merit and is frivolous. E.g., Howard v.

King, 707 F.2d 215, 219-20 (5th Cir.1983); 5th Cir. R. 42.2. Norman is cautioned that future frivolous appeals filed by him or on his behalf will invite the imposition of sanctions. He is further cautioned to review any pending appeals to ensure that they do not raise frivolous claims DISMISSED; SANCTION WARNING ISSUED. Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.