Consumer complaint received 2019-03-28
Company: Professional Bureau of Collections of Maryland, Inc., GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO Branch
State: MO
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Auto debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was already discharged in bankruptcy and is no longer owed

Complaint:
In XXXX I purchased a vehicle from a preferred auto dealer XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX sent me to this dealer as a preferred dealer stating they are verified and work directly with XXXX, I visited XXXX XXXX and agreed to purchase a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, the dealer was telling me that they were having issues with the system they used for XXXX but I could take the vehicle. They had me sign a purchase order but not a title, and they did not provide a motor vehicle inspection that is required by law on that day. They also did not supply temporary license, but left a dealer license plate on the vehicle. They said we would complete title work, license and registration when the system with XXXX was back up and running. I called the next week and they said that the loan was processed and XXXX would be sending information, I asked about the title, inspection and required documents. They said that they did not have the title and would contact me when they had the title. 3 months went by and I had no title, no inspection and could not license the vehicle. The vehicle had brake failure, bald tires and transmission problems, the dealer acknowledged the issues, but never corrected them. They continued to tell me when they got the title they would fix everything. 

After 5 months I contacted XXXX and started to complain because they sent me to the dealer as their preferred dealership. I explained the situation as well as sent them email correspondence with XXXX and Myself. I kept getting a run around and they said they would investigate. This continued for 16 - 18 months and I could not drive the vehicle due to mechanical failure as well as no way to license it. I requested a copy of the signed documents and copy of the title from XXXX. They could not provide these documents although they said they would. This was two months of back and forth as they tried to secure these documents from their preferred dealer. The dealer sent a forged copy of a title application, could not provide the title or state inspection forms. Finally XXXX agreed to relieve me of the loan because of these issues with no legal obligations because they could not provided the documents. I agreed to surrender the vehicle and they said they would deal with dealer to resolve the issues, and I was released from the contract. Several months later I had a repossession on my credit file, and they said I owed the deficit. I spoke with management numerous times and they continued to tell me they would get the matter resolved. This has been an ongoing battle for 4 years as it remained on my credit file. I was in the process of securing an attorney to sue the Dealer as well as XXXX and I was promised it would be removed. 
It never was removed, so I disputed the XXXX XXXX Credit file numerous times, and they kept saying unfortunately it was charged off and out of their hands. Two years later I have had a company by the name of XXXX XXXX XXXX calling me daily from a masked number telling me they are collecting the debt, I also have a company by the name of XXXX XXXX calling me telling me they own the debt and tio ignore all other debt companies, now another a company by the name of Professional Bureau of Collections placed this on my XXXX XXXX credit file on XX/XX/XXXX as a collections account. I have never been notified from them. I have never received any notifications by phone or by mail that were pursuing this or asking if the debt was valid. I have asked all three of them for validation. 
I called Professional Bureau of Collections and asked them for validation, asked them why I did not receive information pertaining the debt with a notice to dispute. I was told they did not care who else is trying to collect the debt and I need to pay them {$7700.00}, that is was theirs and they owed me no notification or validation, if I did not pay immediately they would have the sheriff 's office seize my personal property. I asked for a manager, the reply was I am the boss, and we will handle this another way and hung up on me. I called back and they said that XXXX XXXX would not take my call, that I should just pay my debts. I called XXXX again today, they said sorry you are not our customer, we don't know who has your account, we wrote it off and we can not speak to you. Was denied a manager from XXXX as well. 
I find it ironic that I just disputed XXXX on my credit files, and now I am being harassed by another new collection company two weeks later. So in the last three weeks three separate collection companies has called me to collect on this account that was agreed to removed. Two of the three say they do not care who calls me that they own the debt.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation