Consumer complaint received 2020-02-10
Company: Financial Credit Network Inc
State: TX
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Auto debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
Initial contact made was made with me XX/XX/XXXX, by Financial Credit networks XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, CA XXXX via phone call at my employer. At that time, I was unfamiliar with their company name and informed them that I did not have business with them. I asked for them to remove my work number. Later that day, I made a phone call to inquire about what the call to my employer was regarding. I provided my social security number as a reference to pull up my information. I was informed by the first representative, that she was unable to locate an account. I provided my work number that was called, and they were able to locate an account with my wife 's name. I was then verified with her date of birth and an incorrect mailing address. After being verified I was told that I owe over {$8000.00} to the agency on behalf of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. I was told that if I did not resolve the account they would proceed with involuntary collections. I advised them the balance on file must be inaccurate, as my wife had her own account in her name with XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX that I was not associated with, and we also had an account in which we shared joint responsibility. I asked that they send me a validation notice, because I never received one. I was placed on hold by that representative and informed that they were not going to issue out a validation notice because they did not receive a mail return once she returned to the line. I asked to speak with a supervisor and was placed on hold and hung up on. I called again and requested this time to speak directly with a supervisor. I was again verified with my wife 's information and gave the supervisor a run down of the situation. I let her know that none of this shows up on my credit report. I advised her that the address on file is not a correct mailing address and again requested a validation notice to be sent to the correct mailing address. I was again informed that they would not be sending out a validation notice to me because they never received a mail return. I then informed the supervisor that I needed to dispute the debts because the both of the accounts they have on file should not be in both me and my spouses names, the supervisor agreed and then closed the call. 
XX/XX/XXXX, my wife requested documentation from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX to validate which portion of the debt is mine and which portion of debt it hers. She obtained the copies and was informed by XXXX XXXX that they would notify Financial Credit Networks to cease collection activity against me on the account that is not in my name. 
XX/XX/XXXX, I received an itemized statement in the mail outlining the same full balance owed, but I still have never received a validation notice. I was able to obtain documents from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX showing that there is only one account with shared responsibility and began the process of compiling the information to dispute the debt. After notifying Financial Credit Networks of my dispute, I was called again XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX XXXX  and again XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX XXXX although the agency was already aware of my dispute. 
XX/XX/XXXX, I was notified by a co-worker ( who is not an H.R. or Payroll representative ) that he received a call informing him that Financial Credit Networks was contacting my place of employment in regard to a wage garnishment. I feel that this was intentionally harassing as I informed Financial Credit Networks that I needed to dispute the debt and have been continuously contacted after notifying them of my dispute. Not to mention debt information was disclosed to a 3rd party. That same day, I again made a call to the agency to inform them that information was disclosed to a coworker in regard to this debt. The first representative who I spoke with was named XXXX. I asked her if there was an additional call made to my employer XX/XX/XXXX and was told that my employer was called to verify employment. I informed her that there is not a payroll representative on-site and that debt information should not have been disclosed to a co-worker which was extremely embarrasing. I was rudely informed by XXXX that I needed to talk to my H.R. if there is someone " spreading rumors '' at my job. I asked if there was a garnishment initiated on my account and was informed that it had not been forwarded to their legal team for a wage garnishment as of yet. I advised XXXX that because I am in a dispute on the account I will not be making a payment towards the balance until the dispute is resolved, as I do not owe the full balance. The representative stated that the original creditor would have to communicate with their agency and provide them that information. I explained that I have documentation I can send them showing the portion of the balance I owe and XXXX failed to provide me with information to send in the documents that I received from XXXX  XXXX. I contacted Financial Credit Networks again and spoke with a representative by the name of XXXX. I had to provide my first and last name and again was verified with my wife 's date of birth. I was demanded by XXXX for payment of an $ XXXX balance that I have repeatedly explained to them is not accurate. XXXX then provided me with the information to send in the paperwork obtained from XXXX XXXX. 
Overall, I feel as if Financial Credit Networks has been very harassing. They were aware of my dispute and continue to make efforts to collect the full balance. They did not want to provide me with the necessary information needed to dispute the balance owed. They contacted my work line again after I previously informed them to remove that number. They refused to send me a validation notice and disclosed debt information to a 3rd party without my permission. I am very familiar with F.D.C.P.A. practices and I feel as if they have violated numerous guidelines.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation