Consumer complaint received 2017-12-14
Company: The Law Offices of Gerald E Moore & Associates, PC
State: GA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Communication tactics
Sub-issue: Used obscene, profane, or other abusive language

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX I received a message from a woman identifying herself and XXXX XXXX from the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX. She stated that this was an attempt to collect a debt and to please return her call at XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX I called the office back and spoke to XXXX XXXX who said that my account representative had just walked in and she then placed me on hold. The woman, XXXX XXXX came to the phone and identified herself and that this was an attempt to collect a debt. I allowed her to present her case to me and she then asked me if I had anything to say about the accuracy of the debt and had I incurred it. I told her that it was my debt but that I had gone to court and the amount that the judge said I should pay was less than what she was quoting to me. Her response after that was " So you went to court and was given an amount to pay and you still have not paid it '', '' XXXX XXXX, I am trying to understand why if you were given an opportunity to pay the debt almost a year ago you still have not made an attempt ''. After telling her there was a terrible echo in the phone, I explained to her that I was unemployed at the time of the event ( eviction ) and only started working full time hours as of XX/XX/XXXX. I also explained to her that I had several collections on my credit account now and was paying them off one at a time with the money I had, smaller ones then larger ones. I also explained to her that I had several failed attempts to borrow the judgement amount but was unsuccessful due to the collections. Her last statement to me is the reason I am writing you. XXXX XXXX, then told me " so you mean to tell me that you have the money and and you are n't going to pay this debt!, well next month ( which was when I told her I could pay on it ) you will be in court and you will pay the full amount. It was at that point that I tried to tell her that her tone and overall demeanor on the phone was unprofessional and aggressive but she interrupted me again. I then tried to tell her not to call me again but she then hung the phone up while I was yet speaking to her. I called back and she answered and when I went to explain the situation she said " yeah I am the one you were talking to '' and hung the phone up again. I called back again and that time got XXXX XXXX again and told her that I would prefer that the office only contact me via mail and not to call again because XXXX XXXX was XXXX, trifling and unprofessional and I was sorry. XXXX XXXX took my information and said the office would oblige. 
I understand that neither your office or the Ga. State Bar can discipline the attorney for this event, however, if you would please, reach out to them about the rude, bullying attacks that this representative of the firm is allowed to launch on debtors like myself. I am sure again, I am not the only one that has been subjected this behavior. I did reach out to the Consumer Assistance Program that is associated with the Georgia State Bar and was told that I might file with you or the FTC. The FTC, referred me back to you.

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