Merchants' Credit Guide Company

2018-09-23

Bedford, TX

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Medical debt

Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged
Complaint: I request validation of this debt per Texas Finance Code Section 392.202 which requires a debt collection agency or credit bureau to provide the alleged debtor with specific information concerning their debt including but not limited to ; For the purpose of validation provide me with : The name and address of the original creditor. The original date of default or non-payment of the debt with original creditor. The date the debt was transferred from the original creditor to the third party debt collector. The original balance. The current balance. Any fees added by your agency. Sec. 392.303 ( a ) ( 2 ). The statute of limitation in Texas is 4 years. The original debt is over the statute of limitation for this debt to be collected on. Texas Surety bond information as required by Sec. 392.101, this creditor is does not hold a surety bond in the state of Texas as required ( see attached ). Per the code, this a violation punishable by {$10000.00} per occurrence. A complaint has been filed with the Texas Attorney Generals office. I request my original signature on the application from the creditor - my original signature on an application with your office consenting to any service Please note Transunion, Experian, and Equifax are bonded in the state of Texas and are required to comply with Texas Finance Code. If a debt collector has failed to respond to your debt validation request, then they have essentially admitted, per Texas Finance Code 392.202 ( b ) ( 2 ), that the debt in question is inaccurate. Per this requirement you must delete this trade line if you do not have sufficient time to complete an investigation to validate this debt in 30 days according to Sec. 392.202 ( d ) ( 1 ) Also per Texas Finance Code 392.202 Correction of third -party debt collectors or credit bureaus files. I request immediate notification by mail if this alleged debt is sold or transferred per Sec. 392.301 ( a ) ( 4 ). Please reply with your response via US MAIL. Do not contact me by phone as it is inconvenient. Do not contact my family, acquaintances, or employer in any manner. Please note I am fully prepared to pursue my rights for the harm this inaccuracy has done to me. Sec. 392.403. CIVIL REMEDIES. ( a ) A person may sue for : ( 1 ) injunctive relief to prevent or restrain a violation of this chapter ; and ( 2 ) actual damages sustained as a result of a violation of this chapter. Please also note Texas BCC17. I demand that you will not sell, transfer, or assign this debt per Sec. 392.301 ( a ) ( 4 ). Regards.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-09-23

Bedford, TX

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: I do not know

Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged
Complaint: I request validati on of this debt per Texas Finance Code Section 392.202 which requires a debt collection agency or credit bureau to provide the alleged debtor with specific information concerning their debt including but not limited to ; For the purpose of validation provide me with : The name and address of the original creditor. The original date of default or non-payment of the debt with original creditor. The date the debt was transferred from the original creditor to the third party debt collector. The original balance. The current balance. Any fees added by your agency. Sec. 392.303 ( a ) ( 2 ). The statute of limitation in Texas is 4 years. The original debt is over the statute of limitation for this debt to be collected on. Texas Surety bond information as required by Sec. 392.101, this creditor is does not hold a surety bond in the state of Texas as required ( see attached ). Per the code, this a violation punishable by {$10000.00} per occurrence. A complaint has been filed with the Texas Attorney Generals office. I request my original signature on the application from the creditor - my original signature on an application with your office consenting to any service Please note Transunion, Experian, and Equifax are bonded in the state of Texas and are required to comply with Texas Finance Code. If a debt collector has failed to respond to your debt validation request, then they have essentially admitted, per Texas Finance Code 392.202 ( b ) ( 2 ), that the debt in question is inaccurate. Per this requirement you must delete this trade line if you do not have sufficient time to complete an investigation to validate this debt in 30 days according to Sec. 392.202 ( d ) ( 1 ) Also per Texas Finance Code 392.202 Correction of third -party debt collectors or credit bureaus files. I request immediate notification by mail if this alleged debt is sold or transferred per Sec. 392.301 ( a ) ( 4 ). Please reply with your response via US MAIL. Do not contact me by phone as it is inconvenient. Do not contact my family, acquaintances, or employer in any manner. Please note I am fully prepared to pursue my rights for the harm this inaccuracy has done to me. Sec. 392.403. CIVIL REMEDIES. ( a ) A person may sue for : ( 1 ) injunctive relief to prevent or restrain a violation of this chapter ; and ( 2 ) actual damages sustained as a result of a violation of this chapter. Please also note Texas BCC17. I demand that you will not sell, transfer, or assign this debt per Sec. 392.301 ( a ) ( 4 ). Regards
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-09-20

IL

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Medical debt

Frequent or repeated calls
Complaint: started calling from XX/XX/2018 everyday until now XX/XX/2018 XX/XX/2018
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with non-monetary relief

Timely Response

2018-09-19

Lewisville, TX

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: I do not know

Debt is not yours
Complaint: I got a notification on a credit monitoring site I use saying there was a new collection for the amount of {$130.00} but there is no info on what type of collection it is. The companies name is " merchants credit guide '' out of XXXX upon further investigating through my states ( Texas ) secretary of state website they do not have a license to be collecting in Texas since 2007.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-09-19

IL

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical debt

Debt was paid
Complaint: I called and the information provided was that I was being charged for {$110.00} as a " Charity Write Off '' for a medical procedure from XXXX years ago. I was also told this was due to no insurance and I was fully insured during this period. The total bill was for {$500.00}. What medical bill is for {$500.00} and why would I only owe {$110.00} if I didn't have insurance? This is negatively impacting my credit and isn't fair. I pay my bills and the collection agency makes you feel like you need a shower after dealing with them. I shouldn't have to pay this extortion, but for {$110.00} to make it go away is tempting. Please let me know if you can help. I did not take the time to pull all of my old insurance info and medical history, but I am sure I can provide documents if necessary to prove that I had insurance and paid my copay at all visits.
Company Response: Company believes the complaint is the result of a misunderstanding Closed with non-monetary relief

Timely Response

2018-09-12

IL

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Medical debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Complaint: I first Contacted this company XX/XX/2018 to validate the debt. i received a letter back dated XX/XX/2018 that this company will obtain the requested documents and if it cant be done in a timely manner they will cease any further collections. as of XX/XX/2018 which has been over 30 business days and the proper validation has yet been received.
Company Response: Company believes complaint caused principally by actions of third party outside the control or direction of the company Closed with non-monetary relief

Timely Response

2018-09-01

Plainfield, IL

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Other debt

Debt is not yours
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-08-24

AR

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Credit card debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Complaint: COLLECTOR ONCE AGAIN VIOLATED FCRA-FDCPA AND TCPA BY CALLING MY MOMS CELL 11 TIMES. THEY PURCHASED SAID DEBT THAT WAS PARTIALLY PAID LAST WEEK.
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-08-19

Mabank, TX

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical debt

Debt is not yours
Complaint: I was contacted stating that I owed {$880.00} by Merchants credit guide for a medical bill and this is inaccurate because I have health insurance and my copay for an ER visit at the time were {$200.00}. I have had at least 3 collections for the same Hospital and I've paid them down and never received anything stating that I owed {$880.00}. Now this has been added to my credit, lowering my score.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-08-11

Forest Park, IL

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Medical debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Complaint: I have received a number of collection on my credit report from Merchants Credit Guide. Each time in a different amount for the collection of XXXX XXXX. Each time I have disputed the collection and the amount. They would removed the collections only to come back with a different account number and collection amount. I also have contacted the XXXX XXXX in regards to the collections. XXXX have stated to me that they have no knowledge and or records of the amount ( bills ) owe to them. I am frustrated with the company adding collections to my account with different amounts and account numbers. I have not received documentation or any proof of this collection or collections ownership. Please have them to remove any and all collections from my ( 3 ) credit reports XXXX, XXXX AND, XXXX. And stop any actions of reporting. ACCORDING, TO THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT, SECTION 609 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), you are required by federal law to verify-through the physical verification of the original signed consumer contract any and all accounts you post on a credit report. Otherwise, anyone paying for reporting services could fax, mail or email in a account. Thank you XXXX XXXX
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-07-25

Lubbock, TX

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: I do not know

Debt is not yours
Complaint: Merchants Credit Guide Company is representing themselves as a debt collection company but is not disclosing information regarding this information and is using gorilla and scare tactics to collect debt that is not in collections and to acquire information on a consumer. I pulled my three credit reports and there is no collections and no new initiated lines of credit. They have called up to 6 times a day and left robot voice messages representing themselves as a debt collector. The phone number XXXX and they attempt to collect personal information without disclosing information regarding the reason of the communication or providing written communication regarding balances or the collecting agency. This is an attempt to transfer the crediting companies debt to allow them to collect interest on other parties credit.
Company Response: Company believes complaint caused principally by actions of third party outside the control or direction of the company Closed with non-monetary relief

Timely Response

2018-07-25

Downers Grove, IL

Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem

Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports: Credit reporting

Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-07-19

Oswego, IL

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Other debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-07-18

MI

Communication tactics

Debt collection: I do not know

You told them to stop contacting you, but they keep trying
Complaint: I got phone calls stating that I need to call ASAP Today about a debt. I could barely hear most of the message but an authority voice telling me to call. I am XXXX XXXX XXXX as my husband is also a XXXX vet. We do not need this. We are paying our debts and closed and are paying on what we could not. I also have a cease communication order on every debt collector from these harassment calls and we get them anyway.
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-07-11

IL

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical debt

Debt was paid
Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX, Merchants Credit Guide located in XXXX, Illinois, showed a collection for {$220.00} on my credit reports. Prior to the collection appearing on my credit reports I had no knowledge of the debt. Since, I have disputed this collection with XXXX ; XXXX XXXX ; and XXXX. All but XXXX removed the collection from my credit report. On XX/XX/XXXX, I spoke with three individuals at Merchants Credit Guide over the phone. I told them that I would pay the {$220.00} just as soon as they could provide documentation to support the validity of the debt. Every time I asked for documentation to support the debt or support their claim of attempting to contact me in the past, the individuals immediately became defensive and would transfer me to another individual. After speaking to the last individual who represented himself as a manager, I was told the best that could be done was another bill would be sent to my address. It is my opinion that a bill from Merchants Credit Guide does not support their attempt to collect a debt from me that I have no knowledge of. I told Merchants Credit Guide that I would not be paying the " debt, '' however, if they would like to mail me documentation from the debt that they claim to be collecting I would pay it. The manager told me that he was putting a cease and desist on the account and I would not be hearing from them again.
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-07-05

Chicago, IL

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: I do not know

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-07-05

Chicago, IL

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical debt

Debt was paid
Complaint: Merchants Credit Guide Co., a collections agency, sent me two bills, allegedly on behalf of XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, even though I already paid off my balance with the alleged creditor. In fact I double-checked that I have a XXXX balance with XXXX today, XX/XX/18. - The first bill, in the amount of {$520.00} I believe, was sent around late XXXX. Some time after I paid off my balance directly on the alleged creditor 's website. Right after that I sent Merchants Credit Guide Co. a letter notifying them that I was not accepting their " services '' as a collection agency. A return receipt shows they acknowledged receipt of my letter somewhere in XXXX. - Recently I received another bill, for {$38.00} this time. This morning, after I double-checked with XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX. and confirming that I owe them $ XXXX, I called Merchants XXXX XXXX XXXX , to let them know I owe nothing to them but the agent said came up with a {$520.00} amount again. I asked him something like : " Do you know more about the creditor 's finances than they do? '' and he said he did. Then I asked him to explain me why should I say money to the agency if I owe nothing to the alleged creditor and he said something like Ok, sir, have a good day and hanged up. I am extremely concerned Merchants Credit Guide Co. are systematically attempting to get consumers to send them money they do not owe. From late XXXX to date they call my cellphone number everyday, sometimes twice a day. I never answer unknown numbers but I know it's them ; I XXXX those numbers.
Company Response: Company believes complaint caused principally by actions of third party outside the control or direction of the company Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-07-05

Chicago, IL

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: I do not know

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-07-03

IL

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical debt

Debt was paid
Complaint: I had an outstanding medical bill of {$790.00} that was sent to collection with Merchants CR. I called them on XX/XX/XXXX to pay this bill and the representative I spoke to told me that XXXX ( who the medical bill was from ) was offering me a settlement for {$600.00} so long as I paid it within 30 days. I agreed and set up a payment plan of three payments of {$200.00} using my credit card. The first payment was charged to my credit card on XX/XX/XXXX, the day that I set up the payment plan. The second payment was charged to my credit card on XX/XX/XXXX and the third was charged on XX/XX/XXXX. However, on XX/XX/XXXX I called Merchant about a different medical bill that I had paid through the doctors office to see if it had come out of my account and while we were on the phone, the representative I was speaking to mentioned that I still had an outstanding balance of {$790.00} from XXXX. I told him that I had already set up a payment plan and that {$400.00} had already been charged to my credit card. He had no record of this anywhere and I ended up having to fax them a copy of my credit card statement to prove that the money came out. It took them until Friday the XXXX to finally resolve the issue. The woman I set up the payment plan with had applied my money to someone else 's account, but they didn't know whose so essentially they lost my money and their accountant had to go and find it. When they called to tell me that they had located my {$400.00} and applied it to my account, I mentioned that I still had another payment of {$200.00} that was scheduled for XX/XX/XXXX and asked if this was going to be applied to my account or if it was still set up to be applied to someone else 's account. They assured me that they fixed everything and that the final payment would be applied to my account and then also told me that I owed another {$36.00} because the settlement was actually for {$630.00} even though the woman I spoke to told me it was only for {$600.00}. I disputed this and told them that the woman set the payment plan up for {$600.00} and that is the amount I agreed on, therefore that is the amount I'm going to pay. They said that was fine and that they'd take off the {$36.00}. Fast forward to last Friday, XX/XX/XXXX. I called them just to make sure everything was good to go and that my balance was settled. They told me that I still owe {$230.00}. I told them that we had already disputed the extra {$36.00} and that the last {$200.00} had already come out of my account XX/XX/XXXX. They said they have no idea where the last {$200.00} is and assured me they would fix it and asked me to give them a call a back Monday or Tuesday. I just got off the phone with them and when I called they said the same thing : " The {$400.00} we received for your account, but it looks like you still owe {$230.00} ''. It was like the person I spoke to Friday had no recollection of the conversation we had just had. He'd done nothing to try and fix the issue and told me he has no idea how this happened and that his accountant who was able to find and apply the first {$400.00} to my account is out on vacation. This has been going on for over a month now. I've had to take time out of my day at work to call them several times because they keep losing my money. If I hadn't called them last Friday to check and see that all my accounts were paid off, they still would've had me owing {$230.00} to them that I do not owe. No one there seems to know what's going on and none of them seem to know how to fix this issue. Every time I think that it's finally fixed, it turns out that it isn't. I do not trust this company with my money. I still have no idea where my last {$200.00} is and it has been a huge stressful hassle to figure out where the first {$400.00} went.
Company Response: Company believes complaint is the result of an isolated error Closed with non-monetary relief

Timely Response

2018-07-03

Cincinnati, OH

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: I do not know

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-06-13

Bromley, KY

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Medical debt

Debt was paid
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-06-13

Fountain, CO

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Other debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-06-11

Chicago, IL

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: I do not know

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-06-11

Chicago, IL

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: I do not know

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-06-11

Chicago, IL

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: I do not know

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response