Consumer complaint received 2022-05-23
Company: Media Collections, Inc
State: NC
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged

Complaint:
On XX/XX/2022, I found 6 letters in my mailbox from a company : Media Collections , Inc, DBA Joseph , Mann & Creed. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XX/XX/XXXXXXXX. The letter stated I owned a debit to XXXX XXXX XXXX in the amount of {$250.00} USD. I called the phone number on the letter, ( XXXX ) and asked when and where were the charges incurred. I spoke to XXXX XXXX, in the Collections Dept., Account responsible. I told him the Reference # XXXX on the letter. He informed me that this communication was an attempt to collect a debt and he proceeded to ask my name, address and phone number for verification. I was told that this debit could damage my credit if I did not pay it. I complied with the request. I asked him where is XXXX XXXX XXXX? When date did the charges occur? Where is XXXX XXXX XXXX located. He said the charges were made from online gambling and the first charge showed up on XX/XX/2022. I told him that I have never gambled online and that this was a fraudulent attempt to collect a debit that I have never made. He said that they have my name, address and SSN. He then asked if someone could have accessed my information. I responded I don't know, and that I do online shopping and recently purchased a home with a lot of information submitted online. He asked if someone in my household could have created the account, I responded no. My husband is the only other person in my household and has never done any online gambling. He does not like casino 's. The last time we were was a few years ago inXX/XX/XXXX I was instructed that I could fill out the dispute form and mail it back. I asked if there is a way to file a dispute online and was given the website address. I re-verified address for filing a dispute. i was told that I should obtain a police report from my local police department and add it to the dispute. I immediately, filed the dispute and called my local police department to file a report. I called the police non-emergency number, and gave the information to the intake person. I was asked for the date of the incident, my name, address and phone number. I was told that i would receive a phone call from an officer and to answer the call even if the number shows up as blocked on the caller id. I received a callback from the XXXX police department and proceeded to tell what happened with the letter, and phone call to the debit agency. I filed a police report, XXXX. I informed the officer about another incident involving a neighbor at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XX/XX/XXXXXXXX that is using our address to receive packages. We have received 3 separate packages on 3 different days in the name of XXXX XXXX, with our address XXXX. I told the officer that the first package ( XX/XX/XXXX ) we placed on the neighbors porch. The second package, I called the carrier then the merchant, (XX/XX/XXXX ) and requested a return label. The 3rd package is from a brick and mortar store with online shopping. We have a front door camera, and we have a tape showing the neighbor picking up the package from our front porch a few minutes after it was delivered. My husband has asked the guy who lives at the house to not use our address for receiving packages. I have asked the lady who lives at the house to not use our address, and informed her that I will call the police if another package is delivered to our home. The police officer verified that the house has XXXX XXXX listed as the owner. I do not know if this incident is connected to the debit for online gambling and decided to include it since I informed the police officer. The police officer told me that if another package arrives at our home with her name and our address, to hold onto the package, call the police and they will pickup the package and deliver to the neighbor informing to stop using our address.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief