Consumer complaint received 2020-01-28
Company: Bessine Walterbach, LLP
State: MO
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Seized or attempted to seize your property

Complaint:
I was served summons to appear in court, for a debt owed to XXXX XXXX XXXX. I went to court XX/XX/XXXX, the judge reduced the amount to {$1800.00}. The attorney told me to contact him to set up a payment arrangement. I called Bessine Walterbach LLP XX/XX/XXXX XXXX, the lady who answered the telephone didnt not state her name, she was rude and talked over me when I asked questions, she hung up on me. I called back, asked for an office manager, I was informed by XXXX they dont have an office manager, she asked how can she assist me. I told her about the rude/unprofessional interaction with the lady I spoke to previously who didnt provide her name. I explained to XXXX I was calling to make payment arrangements. XXXX said their payment arrangement amount is {$200.00} a month. I told her I cant afford that dude to my spouse suffering a XXXX injury and not being able to work. XXXX provided information for the special consideration application, she explained how to retrieve the application and how to submit it. I completed the application, stated why I need to have the amount lowered. I received notification in XXXX ( see attached application ) approving $ XXXX  monthly beginning XX/XX/XXXX. There was no information mentioned on the initial application or the payment arrangement approval stating if the payment is late or paid after due date, garnishment proceedings will be implemented. I sent an email see attached, stating I need to make the payment XX/XX/XXXX, I was told I cant make it after the XXXX. I asked what would happen, never got a response, was only told my file is on the attorneys desk for review. I asked will I be notified, no response. I sent an email XX/XX/XXXX, asking about the status, I got no response. I made the payment XX/XX/XXXX. I called the last week of XX/XX/XXXX, but the office was closed due to the holiday and we had bad weather in XXXX   XXXX. I made the XXXX payment. My personal and joint bank accounts was garnished XX/XX/XXXX. I couldnt access money in my accounts, cant pay any bills. I called to ask why this occurred, the ladies in the law office were rude and not helpful, one told me XXXX it when I asked for the number for the county court garnishment department. I called the credit union, they told me if the attorney releases the hold, Ill have access to pay my mortgage for XXXX. I told them they wouldnt release the hold. I asked if he has the number for the courthouse garnishment department, he provided me with the number. I took leave from my job for 30 minutes to go file an exemption. I sent an email to the attorney, along with photos and videos asking them to release the hold off the other account so I can pay my house note, the lady was rude and hung up on me when I asked how can they keep my money if I filed for an exemption with the court. The attorney acknowledged they received the {$75.00} dollar payments I made XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX. I was treated unfairly, I made the payment after the due date, but I did make the payment, the attorney accepted it, cashed the postal money order and they still filed for garnishment which I think is unfair practices. I received no documentation stating if the payment isnt made on the due date, garnishment proceedings will be pursued, they need to state this on their payment arrangement forms. The attorney has caused financial problems for me, I had to take out payday and personal loans to get the money to cover the {$1700.00} I owe them. I was treated unfairly. While I was in court, the attorney gave me someone elses court papers, he didnt have a card, told me to call the number on the paper to make payment arrangements. The attorney failed to send me the garnishment papers for my bank account, they only sent the they sent to my employer.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation