Consumer complaint received 2020-03-23
Company: Newman & Lickstein
State: NY
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was paid

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX I received a bill from XXXX XXXX XXXX. In the amount of {$1400.00}. XXXX XXXX XXXX is a debt collection agency. After speaking with XXXX, a representative from this company and research on my part, it was determined that I owed this bill from an ambulance ride dated XX/XX/XXXX from XXXX XXXX XXXX. My son and I both used the XXXX XXXX XXXX 's service on XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX. I am very thankful and satisfied of their services provided. Unfortunately, as a father of XXXX, the only financial provider in my house and a tight budget, I was a slow paying client and it turned into a judgement in both cases. Also, both cases were placed in hands of XXXX XXXX XXXX and then turned over to Newman & Lickstein, attorney at law. The judgement debt from the first service ( XX/XX/XXXX ) was paid in full through the XXXX County Sheriffs department and I have a Satisfaction of Judgement filed with the XXXX County Clerk dated XX/XX/XXXX. 
I then began paying my debt of {$1400.00} to the XXXX XXXX for the ambulance ride dated XX/XX/XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX I paid {$200.00} and on XX/XX/XXXX I paid {$200.00} which brought my balance to {$1000.00}. In XX/XX/XXXX, I spoke to XXXX XXXX and reported to them that I would need a couple more months to pay this debt off. On XX/XX/XXXX I was served a city court summons with plaintiff XXXX XXXX XXXX ( represented by Attorney Newman & Lickstein ) stating that I owe {$1600.00}. On XX/XX/XXXX I called Newman & Lickstein and explained that I disputed the amount of {$1600.00} because I paid a total of {$400.00} towards this bill. We exchanged emails and I sent receipts proving that i paid. A few phone calls were made to Newman & Lickstein from XX/XX/XXXX-XX/XX/XXXX and I ended up paying {$990.00}. It was my understanding that this matter was now resolved. 
On XX/XX/XXXX I received a " Statement for Judgement '' alleging that I owe {$700.00}. I mailed a certified letter to them demanding they Cease & Desist all collections activity and to prove the above amount was owed. ( all correspondence on this matter is mailed certified ). I received from them a copy of the Statement of Judgement and a separate with the breakdown of the {$700.00}. This statement only included a credit in the amount of {$970.00} ( listed as : less payment made ). I filed an " Order to Show Cause Stay of Judgment '' with XXXX XXXX Court on XX/XX/XXXX because they were not showing credit for the two payments totaling {$400.00}. My personal bank statements reflecting these payments made plus the {$990.00} to Newman & Lickstein were submitted to the court and the defendants attorney- Newman & Lickstein XXXX On XX/XX/XXXX I received Newman & Licksteins " Affirmation in Opposition to Order to Show Cause '' and it states that the {$400.00} was paid towards the XX/XX/XXXX ambulance ride. I STRONGLY disagree with this, can prove it through all records including bank statements and immediately submitted a " Rebuttal to their Affirmation '' including a receipt copy from the XXXX County Sheriffs office showing the OLD judgement ( XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ride ) PAID In Full, 3 Bank Records from my financial institution showing all 3 payments and even a copy of my credit report that shows this Judgement from the XX/XX/XXXX ambulance service is reflected as " PAID Closed ''. After review of the records ( submitted by me ) the court GRANTED my " Stay Of Judgement '' and scheduled a court date for XX/XX/XXXX. I took the day off of work of work which added further strain on my financial budget. 
On XX/XX/XXXX the court called and cancelled because of the Coronavirus and rescheduled the court date for XX/XX/XXXX. Another day that I will have to take off of work placing more strain on my personal financial budget. 
Furthermore, every document that is submitted to the court, is court mandated that I mail a " Certified/ return Receipt '' to two parties- Newman & Lickstein and the Sheriffs office-Civil Division at a cost of {$13.00} per mailing. This bill has hardshipped me quite a few times throughout this dis-service from this attorney- Newman and Lickstein . 
These financial hardships should not be occurring to me because all records and receipts are with all parties involved including a " Satisfaction of Judement '' receipt signed by attorney XXXX XXXX from Newman & Lickstein dated XXXX. This " Satisfaction of Judgement '' was satisfied approximately 2yrs prior from the XX/XX/XXXX ambulance ride and almost 3 years prior to my first payment for this debt. Newman & Lickstein should know that the satisfaction of judgement was filed because they filed it in XXXX. 
I find it absurd that Newman and Lickstein would willingly NOT look at the evidence presented and see that the calculations are wrong and resolve this issue with me. Especially because their lawfirm already signed off on the debt from the XX/XX/XXXX ambulance ride and are now stating that the {$400.00} paid was for an old satisfied debt. Because of Newman & Licksteins refusal to recognize or act on their mistake, I'm now having to deal with all these added personal fees - numerous copies which cause co $ tly certified mailings, copies printed, time off of work, parking fees and numerous hours spent on this case. None of these fees should of occurred. 
This has not only cost me financially but a home mortgage lending company has denied me credit SOLELY because this alleged debt is listed as an active current NEGATIVE mark on my credit report. 
This lawfirm continues with this court case, causing me further financial hardships when they knowingly have the proper documents/receipts ( signed by them ) proving that this alleged debt owed is false and the portions paid were improperly filed with in their lawfirm. This needs to stop and be removed from my credit report by XXXX XXXX. 
This lawfirm continues with this court case, causing me further financial hardships when they knowingly have the proper documents/receipts ( signed by them ) proving that this alleged debt owed is false and the portions paid were improperly filed with in their lawfirm. I'm requesting that this harassment needs to stop and negative marks be removed from the 3 main credit reporting agencies- XXXX  , XXXX  , XXXX  and my credit report by all parties involved, XXXX XXXX XXXX , XXXX XXXX XXXX and Newman & Lickstein . Furthermore, no future negative marks should appear on my credit history for this alleged debt owed.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation