Consumer complaint received 2019-10-24
Company: Forster & Garbus LLP
State: NY
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive enough information to verify debt

Complaint:
I recently became aware of an old XXXX XXXX debt/Judgement that is being handled by Forster and Garbus a debt collection agency. They currently have a lien placed on my property as well as collecting wage garnishments. First, it was very difficult to determine who was actually garnishing my wages. Once I was able to determine the order was executed by the XXXX County Sheriffs department, I was then able to determine that Forster & Garbus were the ones garnishing my wages. Much to my surprise an original debt of {$6000.00} ( original judgement amount $ XXXX-XX/XX/XXXX ) had exploded to over {$13000.00} due to fees and finance charges. I contacted Forster and Garbus for assistance with this as my paycheck is currently being garnished for {$310.00} per month and there is a lien on my home. I was simply trying to determine what the debt was, how it had gotten to the garnishment stage and what could be done with it. I was transferred several times before being connected to XXXX. From the moment I started talking to him the discussion was demeaning. He proceeded to quickly ramble off a bunch of dates and numbers. When I tried to ask questions, he scolded me for interrupting him. I respectfully sat back and listened. He proceeded to happily tell me that they were unwilling to work with me on the debt and that they would prevent me from refinancing my home, buying a home or selling my current property. He also proceeded to tell me there was no end date or timeframe in which the debt would be satisfied and the garnishments would end. He continued to infer that they could continue to garnish my wages for an undisclosed period of time. At that time the call ended with discouragement and despair. I have tried to reach Forster and Garbus again several times since without success. Many times they would transfer me over and over and then disconnect me. One time I was transferred several times until it finally reached a voicemail to leave a message. The voicemail did not say a name, only an extension number which I stopped writing down after about the tenth digit. I have also emailed them in hopes to discuss a settlement option and an opportunity to have the lien removed from my house-they have not responded. I have processed an online form to request a settlement offer-they have not responded. 
I have several complaints regarding this judgement. First, I was not personally served with the papers in XXXX. The judgement was placed by default. I was then told by Forster and Garbus that I was sent papers in regards to wage garnishment in XXXX. I do not recall receiving such papers. I was also told by them that they sent papers to my company in XXXX to start the garnishment and that my company failed to respond or start the garnishment. Upon further investigation, I have discovered that the papers were not served to my company. They were served to an address in XXXX, NY in which I never worked. My company is located in California. Therefore they were never received by my company and executed ( it is the same company I currently work at ). For six years there was no communication regarding this debt, garnishments etc. which then allowed it to accumulate 9 % interest over that time to the sum of over {$7000.00} of finance charges and counting. Since XX/XX/XXXX I have paid a total of {$5400.00} in garnishments-nearly the amount of the original debt. In XXXX, I was never notified that the garnishments would begin, how much would be garnished, where the money was going and what the balance was or any kind of payoff date. I have not received one single statement showing how much has been paid year to date, how the money is distributed or a current updated balance. 
I was literally trying to work with this company to clear this debt if it in fact was owed and move on with my life. I am very discouraged by the unfair practices of this company, their demeaning attitude, their lack of concern to even return my communication efforts and especially their free ability to take my money from my earned paycheck for an undisclosed period of time while collecting exorbitant interest and placing a lien against my property even while they are collecting money from every paycheck. My biggest complaint is the improper service or lack of service of the notifications involved with this. I dont feel confident that even if a resolution were to take place, they would uphold their end of the bargain.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation