Consumer complaint received 2023-10-22
Company: Monterey Financial Services LLC
State: FL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
In XX/XX/2021, we went to an appointment to claim a prize we had won on a radio show. Two airline tickets to XXXX XXXX. 

Once we arrived, they leaded us to an unspeakable pressure for more than XXXX hours, and due the frustration we agreed, committing ourselves to purchasing a share in a resort to be payed over the years. 

We were also given a certificate for a XXXX cruise, a gift card for a meal, and several promises of " prizes '' that are displayed in the documents we attached. 

Once we finally managed to free ourselves from such torture, we called them in the following days to quit the membership, and we were told that quitting was not possible because of the clauses of the contract did not allow us to. 

We assumed that for the next few years, we would have to honor the debt that we had " obligatorily '' acquired. 

In the following months I was affected by XXXX XXXX XXXX, which forced me to stop working causing, among other things, my company to go bankruptcy. 

We obviously defaulted on all of our creditors, including XXXX XXXX 

Never in all this time ( as today ) Ive received any communication from either XXXXXXXX or Monterrey and prizes, certificates and gift cards were obviously not honored. 

Immediately was able to, I contact XXXX to notify them of my intention to solve the issue, and I was told that my debt was no longer managed by them, and if I wanted to pay it, I should call their collection company : Monterrey Financial, whom immediately I called and after explaining that I had been victim of a XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX, they explained me that not only I should pay the amount that I had originally agreed to pay over several years, but that I should also pay an amount equal to 60 % more in fees, and all this had to be paid in a lump sum, under penalty of being reported to the credit bureaus, to which by the way, they had already reported me several times. 

As I already said, I never received any letter or communication from both XXXX nor Monterrey. Neither to collect the debt, nor none to explain it, so at this point I only know how much they intend to charge me, however, I don't know what it corresponds to. 

The operator to whom I spoke, in addition to not having any empathy, was rude and showed no intention of resolving the matter, unless it was in the absurd terms that he proposed, so I disconnected the call and started a new call asking to speak to someone different. 

The result was the same. This call becomes the first time they talk about a lawsuit. One threat after another, and no possible solution. 

I disconnected the call and asked to speak to a supervisor, this time the process was different ( less rude ) but the result : Same. 
You owed {$10000.00}. 
Now you owe {$16000.00}. 
If you pay it in full, we will not report you, if not : You can make a payment plan, but keep in mind that the interest is {$200.00} a month. 

So, paying {$200.00} a month, you will keep the debt for a lifetime. 
However, although I recognize that I accepted a {$10000.00} debt ( which I was forced to accept ), I categorically deplore the fact that the debt has been increased on 60 %, and even worse, they try to force me to pay it cash. 

I have called them countless times looking for a way to pay, and the only thing I receive from them is an increase on the debt, no possible solutions and threats of lawsuit and credit consequences. 

In a very " kind '' way, the supervisor explained to me that the settlement I was proposing was not possible, because by principal a settlement must be paid by a Lump sum. Even though in all the settlements I made with my creditors they have agreed me to pay in parts.

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