Consumer complaint received 2020-05-21
Company: Populus Financial Group, Inc. (F/K/A Ace Cash Express)
State: VA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Payday loan debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive enough information to verify debt

Complaint:
I was contacted by a company claiming to be Ace Cash Express in XXXX. The representative stated that a server was on the way to my house if I didn't take care of this debt with them right now on the phone. I would have to call back and give a person a code in order to intercept the server. I was threatened with legal action and garnishment. The communication tactics were threatening and very aggressive. I called to reason with the person. They would not take payment arrangements. I asked for debt validation. After not receiving any information for more than a month, I called them yesterday ( XX/XX/20 ). The lady I spoke to was very aggressive, making threats. She refused to give me an address, saying that bc they handle sensitive cases such as divorce and child support, they don't give out their address bc they have to protect their clients. She asked me to hold while she looks for their P.O. Box then returned to tell me they only take electronic payments and could not give me an address. I asked for a website and she told me that they didn't have one bc they were a private company. She said they were a pre-litigation firm and the judge would add {$2400.00} to the amount that I owe. She said that I should pay my bills if I didn't want to be in this predicament. She was yelling and being abusive. I asked for a manager and she stated that I could not speak to anyone else bc she was the floor manager. I tried to set up reasonable payment arrangements and she said that was not possible if I wouldn't agree to pay {$100.00} today. I told her that I didn't believe I owed the debt because I have not received debt validation from them. She hung up abruptly. I called the number back, hoping to get a different person. The same lady with a XXXX accent answered the call and said, See xxxx ( my name ), I am the only one you can speak to. If you call this number, I will answer bc I am the manager. She did not say Hello or tell me her company name. I told her that she was aggressive, rude, and disrespectful. She said well, you should pay your bills. I hung up and a lady called me back. This person apologized for other lady. She gave me her name and went over details about the alleged debt. She said that she couldn't take less than {$150.00} ( other lady said 100 ). I asked about a settlement. She gave me an amount of {$400.00}. I said I didn't have that amount but could pay {$320.00}. She agreed and promised that I would have a paid in full receipt within 15 minutes and that I would have a letter that would be all I needed to have item removed from my credit. I asked what name would appear on my bank statement, she said XXXX XXXX. I told her that other lady told me Ace Cash Express. She said they were a pre-litigation firm. I didn't receive receipt or an email. After 6 hours, I still didn't receive anything. Even this morning. The phone number given to me was XXXX.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation