Smith Debnam Narron Drake Saintsing Myers LLP

2019-09-04

Charlotte, NC

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Auto debt

Threatened to sue you for very old debt
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-08-30

Struggling to pay your loan

Vehicle loan or lease: Loan

Loan balance remaining after the vehicle is repossessed and sold
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-08-06

Durham, NC

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Credit card debt

Seized or attempted to seize your property
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief

Timely Response

2019-08-01

Five Points, NC

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Credit card debt

Impersonated attorney, law enforcement, or government official
Complaint: After the law firm aggressively pursued our family over a lawsuit initiated by my estranged Mother, it appears that this law firm has also purchased some of my debt and are now also trying to threaten me with a law suit to recover it. In the letter they advise that they have been retained by XXXX XXXX to collect its claim against me for the balance due on my XXXX XXXX Credit Card, and utilize on behalf of our client in a second letter - however when I called XXXX to discuss this with them, they advised that they can not discuss it as the debt was actually purchased by the firm. Therefore the law firm are threatening me with a law suit, acting as though they are being instructed to by XXXX, when in fact they are a debt collector who purchased this debt from XXXX and it has nothing to do with them any more. With the history of the family-based lawsuit, it seems very unethical for the law firm to now try and threaten me with legal action over this debt, and to act as though they represent XXXX.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-07-02

Smyrna, SC

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Credit card debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Complaint: I XXXX XXXX along with my wife XXXX XXXX are in a position to file for a Chapter XXXX bankruptcy. However, as a means of pursuing a reasonable procedure to get out of debt over the next year without such a drastic step, we are requesting very low settlements in the 20 % range of where our debts were at the last payment. Accordingly, we believe that we only have one chance at this, and if we do not start receiving settlement offers soon, we will retain the bankruptcy attorney we recently consulted. Therefore, we request letters of settlement, and we request the cease and desist from all calls to our home, cell and/or work. We desire to resolve these matters in written form only. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-01-28

Fayetteville, NC

Struggling to pay your loan

Vehicle loan or lease: Loan

Loan balance remaining after the vehicle is repossessed and sold
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-12-05

Raeford, NC

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Auto debt

Didn't receive notice of right to dispute
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-09-25

Dosier, NC

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Other debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-09-03

Bluff Estates, SC

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Credit card debt

Debt was result of identity theft
Complaint: After checking my records, it appears that XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX. doubled me using my XXXX XXXX.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-06-19

Northside, NC

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Other debt

Didn't receive notice of right to dispute
Complaint: I fell behind on HOA payments for several months. I made multiple due diligence payments towards the past due balance. My account was sent to a 3rd party collection agency ( attorney 's office ) without notification in XX/XX/2016. The bulk of balance due ( XXXX ) was late/legal fees. I never heard from the HOA company or the 3rd party collection agency or had an opportunity to dispute the fees. Once I realized the account was sent to a 3rd party collection agency, I made payment for the full balance due, directly to the 3rd party agency. Although the debt was paid in full on XX/XX/XXXX, the past due balance has not been removed from my account and it still remains in " legal '' status. Additionally ... .late fees continue to be accrued.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-06-08

Centerview, NC

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Credit card debt

Threatened to sue you for very old debt
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-02-18

Charlotte, NC

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Credit card debt

Seized or attempted to seize your property
Complaint: I had a XXXX card that has not had any activity before XXXX. A company sent me a court date for XX/XX/XXXX. I called them and told them that I only have social security and VA XXXX. They said not to worry about going to court or my money. They got a default judgment against me even though there is a 3 year statute for the last activity on the account. They sent me a letter in XXXX offering payment options and right after that, they sent letters saying they would seize my property. I went to the courthouse and copied my files. One of the papers said they got a judgment on XX/XX/XXXX. They never told me this. They seem very shady and unethical.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-02-14

Bluff Estates, SC

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Credit card debt

Told you not to respond to a lawsuit they filed against you
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-12-29

Charlotte, NC

Threatened to contact someone or share information improperly

Debt collection: Credit card debt

Contacted you instead of your attorney
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-12-18

Fayetteville, NC

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Other debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-12-08

Charlotte, NC

Threatened to contact someone or share information improperly

Debt collection: Credit card debt

Contacted you instead of your attorney
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-10-24

Forest Oaks, NC

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: I do not know

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-06-16

Fayetteville, NC

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Other debt

Debt was paid
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2017-03-29

Charlotte, NC

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Medical

Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2017-01-28

Smyrna, SC

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Credit card

Threatened to take legal action
Complaint: I have a judge, ent on my from a law company that for one never gave me an infoormaton on the debt but filed a lawsuit against me without any papers being sent to me. Only after the judgement was filed they sent me the information. On top of that they forced me or tricked me into signing or sending in paperwork for the judgement stating that I have ran out of time their collection of this debt has been shad since day one. I have been payng on the debt for months now and I get a letter today stating legal action will be filed against me if I do not contact them within 15 days. I have sent them throughout the past few months 4 emails that the continue to ignore. I have been paying atleast {$10.00} on the account every month if not more depends on what I can afford. I am tired of being bullied by them and harassed.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2017-01-04

Tampa, FL

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Auto

Indicated shouldn't respond to lawsuit
Complaint: I was XXXX XX/XX/XXXX and I received an email XX/XX/XXXX that my Clearance was being Adjudicated, on XX/XX/XXXX a list of the accounts was provided from my POC and I then learned one of the accounts involving a XXXX XXXX Account that had been reported as Charged Off by the Credit Reporting Agency. I was sent a picture of a Collection letter that was sent to my children 's home in XXXX NC, I called the Law Office on XX/XX/XXXX and explained that I was currently XXXX and had disputed the account with XXXX XXXX because I had requested that the account be adjusted for charges and fees paid in violation of the SCRA over the 5 year period I had been XXXX. I had been XXXX a few times during that time and had know idea that the account had be charged off or placed into collections, I also stated that I was very willing to pay the account in full, once the charges were adjusted according to the SCRA 6 % Limitations, and that last thing I wanted was for this to become a court case. She told me that the case was placed with the firms office, and they had n't contacted anyone about the account and as long as I was willing to work with them to get it paid, it would n't be filed in a court action. I had been calling the law firm office and was still waiting to hear back about the adjustments, but it was the XXXX holiday and I had n't been able to reach anyone for almost 3 weeks when a Default Judgement was mailed to the North Carolina address XX/XX/XXXX. I was never told that a Complaint was filed and the only thing in the mail was a Motion for a Default Judgement without a hearing, there was n't a Complaint Filed that I can see and I did n't want to call the collection agency back after I realized that they had just been stalling me about the adjustments to the account. The judgement has been placed on my credit report by the Court, I thought that they had been notified about my XXXX and that I did n't reside in North Carolina, but a Clerk of Court through the documents filed with the Court on XX/XX/XXXX away. I do n't think contacting the Court myself will help, and even a Attorney would be seen as my representative, and could give the Court jurisdiction. I ca n't afford a Attorney and I do n't trust the law firm who deceived me last year, so I 'm hoping contacting them through the CFPB will make sure I 'm not blocked by a Clerk and a Judge can Vacate the Judgement or Dismiss it. I 'm afraid this Attorney will drain my bank account or something else, she has been sending letter to the house in XXXX and threatening my family. I feel like I do n't have any way to stop this attorney from harassing my family except paying them, I do n't see why they did n't just let me pay XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, is n't that what a Collection Agency does? I will not have any further contact with this firm.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-12-28

Seneca, SC

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Credit card

Attempted to collect wrong amount
Complaint: On Friday XXXX XXXX, I called Smith Debnam Attorneys at Law ( hereby referred to as " Agency '' ) and contacted XXXX XXXX ( hereby referred to as " Agent '' ) at extension XXXX. Per the letter sent by the Agency dated XXXX XXXX, 2016, where they state the amount owed on XXXX ( hereby referred to as " Creditor '' ) Account ending in XXXX to be {$2600.00} and in which the Agency states " Our client has authorized us to initiate a judicial proceeding against you. In an effort to avoid costs associated with litigation, our client has authorized us to give you an opportunity to settle this account without having to go to court '' if there was no response within 20 days of receiving the letter. I made this call to get more information about the alleged debt. During my call with XXXX XXXX I specifically asked what the original amount and date of the debt which was discharged from the creditor to their office, in which she stated the amount to be {$2600.00} and that it was received by their office on XXXX XXXX 2016. The amount she stated was the same as the one on the letter in reference. I told her I would be speaking with the original creditor to review my options and hung up. On XXXX XXXX I spoke with an account representative of the creditor, XXXX and revewing all correspondence regarding this account I confirmed that the amount the creditor released was {$2500.00} based on a letter I received from the creditor which is dated XXXX XXXX, 2016, and not the {$2600.00} XXXX XXXX " Confirmed ''. Therefore, the debt collection agent, and hence the agency have lied about the amount of the debt in what I believe to be an attempt to claim more than the original debt. There is no statement or evidence on any of the correspondence sent by the Agency or agent stating the reason for which the debt they claim is higher than that dischardged by the creditor. I am requesting the agency to send proof of the debt. Until I receive the letter of proof I ask that this matter be reviewed. Thank you for your time.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-12-11

Una, SC

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Auto

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

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-09-17

Eutaw, NC

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Credit card

Threatened to take legal action
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-06-07

Shulerville, SC

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Credit card

Threatened to take legal action
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: Yes Timely Response