Consumer complaint received 2022-02-22
Company: Populus Financial Group, Inc. (F/K/A Ace Cash Express)
State: AL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Payday loan debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was already discharged in bankruptcy and is no longer owed

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a call labeled Spam Risk on my cell phone from XXXX. I was connected with XXXX of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX who began berating me with information regarding multiple attempts to collect a debt in the amount of {$860.00} that had ballooned to {$1500.00}. I was given little information than the debt was regarding Ace Cash Express -- a payday loan company. I immediately informed XXXX that this debt was discharged in a XXXX XXXX bankruptcy from XXXX. She insisted that the debt was not included, that garnishment proceedings with my company would be forthwith, that I would be taken to court and responsible for legal fees, etc. and demanded that I make payment or agree to a legal affidavit that I refused to pay. I advised that I had received no letter of collection. She proceeded to inform me that my address had been verified by USPS ; however, I advised that I had not lived at the given address since XXXX. She then confirmed my current address had been verified and couldn't answer as to why I had not received any letters. I advised that I am certain that the debt was filed and discharged and found the document while still on the phone with her ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ). She asked that I send the documentation to XXXX to resolve the matter. 

Instead, I contacted Cash Express ( XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX, AL XXXX ) at XXXX and spoke with XXXX who advised I come into the office to look into the matter. I was connected with the District Manager ( XXXX ) XXXX who advised that I had a {$0.00} balance and that she has heard many people be ambushed like I was. XXXX also advised that Ace Cash Express is not affiliated with her company and to her knowledge was no longer in business. 

I did some research to find a URL for ACE and found https : //www.acecashexpress.com/ ; I found a section dedicated to fraud and scam alerts that suggested I take note of debt collection calls like I had received. I called them directly at XXXX and spoke with XXXX. XXXX, who works in collections, was unable to locate me within the system. 

I called XXXX back at XXXX and spoke with XXXX, who reconnected me with XXXX. Once on the phone, XXXX asked if I had submitted my document. I told her that I had instead done further research to find that Cash Express, nor ACE Cash Express show me liable for a debt. XXXX became irate stating that they wouldn't know and that I wouldn't show in their systems because the debt had been bought out. I asked for an account number and was provided XXXX but told that extra zeros may be added because of buy outs. I asked if she can confirm the origination of the debt, and she stated that she couldn't. When I informed her that ACE had advised me that I was not indebted, she stated that ACE is a financial backer and could be tied to any payday loan company. I pointed out that my bankruptcy documents have specific companies listed, so without further information, I would not know who to prove to. 

XXXX was very combative in discussion and repeatedly said that these items are on my credit report, I will be financially liable for legal fees and will have to appear in court, etc. I advised her that I had pulled all three credit bureau reports and found nothing listed as she described. XXXX began telling me that she would simply close the " investigation '' and document what she had done and my choice to " not comply '' on my record. I asked for a copy of said record and was told no. 

If this debt is legitimate, it is beyond the 6 year statute of limitations, and once clearly identified can be proven to be on a discharged bankruptcy. This ordeal costed me 4 hours of paid-time off and unbelievable stress.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation