Consumer complaint received 2023-04-13
Company: Merchants Credit Bureau, Inc.
State: VA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: I do not know
Issue: Threatened to contact someone or share information improperly
Sub-issue: Contacted you after you asked them to stop

Complaint:
On XX/XX/2023 a letter was mail out to me from Merchants Credit Bureau regarding an alleged debt. I responded to Merchants Credit Bureau informing them that I wanted them to validate the alleged debt as well as Cease and desist all commination with me and they have failed to comply. I am again asking Merchants Credit Bureau to Cease and Desist all communication with me through any and all mediums unless it is for a specified remedy that I am now invoking. The term communication through any and all mediums would be telephone, email, social media and any consumer report. This notice is pursuant to 15 USC 1692c. The term communication pursuant to 15 USC 1692a ( 2 ) means conveying of information regarding a debt directly or indirectly to any person through any medium.

15 USC 1692g ( b ) If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection ( a ) that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt. Merchant Credit Bureau refused to validate the alleged debt. That is a violation I asked Merchant Credit Bureau to provide validation of debt and they sent a letter saying that they do not have to because this dispute is the same as a dispute that they have already investigated. I never stated that I was disputing anything, I asked for validation of the alleged debt and they refused to provide that. By law, Merchant Credit Bureau is required to prove validity of the alleged debt in which they have not done so and are trying to threaten me with notices after I sent written document to Cease and Desist. The alleged debt in which Merchant Credit Bureau is contacting me about MUST be validated in which it has not been nor do they have the license to collect in my state. I am asking that Merchant Credit Bureau remove me from their data base, Cease and Desist all communication with me through all mediums with me.

Pursuant to 15 USC 1692c ( c ) If a consumer notifies a debt collector in writing that the consumer refuses to pay the debt or that the consumer wishes the debt collector to cease all further communication with the consumer the debt collector shall NOT communicate further with the consumer except to...

( 1 ) to advise the consumer that the debt collectors further efforts are being terminated ; ( 2 ) to notify the consumer that the debt collector or creditor may invoke specified remedies which are ordinarily invoked by such debt collector or creditor; or ( 3 ) where applicable, to notify the consumer that the debt collector or creditor intends to invoke a specified remedy.

Merchant Credit Bureau has ignored the law and I am entitled to remedy of 2,000. I have attached the first letter I received from Merchant Credit Bureau as well as the letter I sent them in response asking them to cease and desist as well as asking them to validate the alleged debt. They have failed to abide by the law and continue to use abusive and deceptive practices.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation