Consumer complaint received 2020-04-16
Company: Aldridge PIte Haan, LLP
State: GA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was result of identity theft

Complaint:
I XXXX XXXX, was contacted on XX/XX/XXXX by XXXX XXXX at XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX stated she was an employee of Aldridge Pite Haan and she would now be handling the case. XXXX XXXX verified the aph file number, address, last four of my SSN, told me the call was being recorded and then proceeded to inform me that the purpose of her call was to see if I would be willing to settle the order for a fair amount. I advised XXXX XXXX that I would not be agreeing to settle as this is a collection on a fraud account. I begin to ask XXXX XXXX about the identity theft victims complaint and affidavit that was returned to her office and received on XX/XX/XXXX as stated in my previous complaint. XXXX XXXX informed me that the investigation was closed as I did not include a police report with the document when it was returned. I informed XXXX XXXX that I could not obtain a police report and that when I went to the XXXX Police Department I was informed that this case was too old to file a report. I instructed XXXX XXXX to pages 5 & 6 of the identity theft victims complaint and affidavit document and the fact that the document do not only require it to be returned with a police report, but that it could be signed and returned in the presence of a law enforcement officer, a notary, or witness. The form does not state that a police report is required for investigation or if a police report is not included the investigation would not take place and nor was I ever told that by XXXX XXXX. He advised me that an investigation was ongoing and to give it some time. I then asked XXXX XXXX is that the only reason this case was not investigated and XXXX XXXX informed me that she could not tell me that information, but she could only tell me that it did not include a police report therefore the investigation was closed. I  advised her that I have a copy of the identity theft victims complaint and affidavit form and I would be contacting XXXX Police Department to speak with the Chief about filing a report. 
I asked XXXX XXXX about getting information to put on the police report as I only had Aldridge Pite Haan information and I only have XXXX XXXX XXXX name, but no address or contact phone number for them. I informed her that would not be enough or valid information for the police report. I need an address as to where the credit card was sent to or the city or anything that I could use to obtain a police report. XXXX XXXX told me that she could not tell me what to put on the police report. I then asked XXXX XXXX if I should contact XXXX and she told me not to contact XXXX as they no longer was handling this case. I asked if I should contact XXXX XXXX XXXX and she told me not to contact XXXX as her company Aldridge Pite Haan is representing XXXX and I would need to go through them for information about the case. I again asked her if she would provide me with the address as to where the credit card was sent according to XXXX XXXX XXXX as I needed that information to give the police a lead as to where the fraudulent activity took place and she informed me that she could not give me that information. I then asked about contacting the lawyer XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX that is showing up on the court document filed with XXXX County Court and she told me not to contact them either as they were no longer handling this case. I informed her that she was making it impossible for me to obtain a police report as I have no information to give to the police other than Aldride Pite Haan address and contact number. 
XXXX XXXX then proceeded to tell me that she does not know why I keep saying I wasnt served when I filed a response with the court. I informed her that I received a letter in XXXX and upon receiving that letter I immediately went to the XXXX County Court to file a response to that company. XXXX XXXX went on to advise me that the purpose of her call was to make afair offer to settle the case. I asked her what did she consider a fair offer and she gave the amount of {$1400.00}. I told her again no and that I would not be settling as this is a fraud case. She then asked what I would consider a fair settlement and I told her {$100.00} if that. I explained to her that this ordeal has made it impossible for me to pay my mortgage or keep up with my bills and told her the amount that had been collected out of my paycheck up to that date. I inquired about what would happen with my funds if I could get a police report turned in and where was my money at this point. XXXX XXXX told me that she could not guarantee, but if after the police report was received and it was determined to be fraud I could possibly receive my money back even possibly if I agreed to settle and it was determined fraud I could ask for my money back. XXXX XXXX informed me that Aldridge Pite Haan had not received any money as of XX/XX/XXXX and that because of the pandemic happening it could be a while before anything was received by her office. She gave me an update on the balance due as of XX/XX/XXXX of {$1700.00}. 
I informed XXXX XXXX before we got off the phone that I would be reaching out to the Chief of Police at the XXXX Police Department. 
After our call ended I immediately called the XXXX County Superior Court and spoke with XXXX. XXXX reviewed the case as I had several questions about my response. XXXX advised me that I responded to an answer on a contract. That response was due within 30 days of receipt and I made my response on time. XXXX explained that I was not served and that the answer on a contract request did not include a court date as one had not been set at that time. XXXX advised me that after my response in XXXX the XXXX County Superior Court did not receive anything else from XXXX XXXX XXXX until XX/XX/XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX submitted a document showing that they submitted a Plaintiff Request for Admission of Facts to an address on XX/XX/XXXX and on XX/XX/XXXX the XXXX County Superior Court received a request from XXXX XXXX XXXX requesting a Motion of Summary Judgement. XXXX then informed me of the address listed on the paperwork XXXX XXXX XXXX showed they sent the Plaintiff Request for Admission of Facts and it was to an address that I did not live at during that time. I informed XXXX that I had already been to that apartment complex and got the management company to verify and give me a letter stating that I did not live at that address during the time XXXX XXXX XXXX mailed/submitted those documents. XXXX then went on to explain that me not living at that address and not ever receiving those documents was a problem because I had no way of knowing any court dates set or that I needed to file a response to any documents XXXX XXXX XXXX submitted. I advised her that I needed an address for XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX or something to show an address where the credit card was sent and if it was included in any of the paperwork at the court. XXXX advised me that there was nothing submitted by XXXX XXXX XXXX showing any information relating to XXXX or any information about the credit card, address or paperwork that I could use to file a police report, nothing other than the Motion for Summary Judgement and whatever was included within that judgement. 
After speaking with XXXX XXXX called the XXXX Police Department and inquired about what information I would need to file a police report regarding identity theft. I was instructed to call Aldridge Pite Haan and again ask if they would provide me with an address as to where the credit card was sent. I called Aldridge Pite Haan on XX/XX/XXXX @ XXXX XXXX and spoke with XXXX XXXX and she verified the aph file number then transferred me to XXXX XXXX to speak with XXXX XXXX as she is handling this case. I left a voice mail message requesting a callback and that I had spoken with XXXX Police Department and if she would provide me with the address where the credit card was sent. 
Again on XX/XX/XXXX @ XXXX XXXX I called Aldridge Pite Haan spoke with XXXX XXXX and XXXX and each time after verifying the aph file number I was transferred to ext XXXX XXXX XXXX as she is the one handling this case. I again left a voice mail message on the last transfer asking for a call back and the reason for my call. I need an address to include on the police report even if its an address for XXXX XXXX XXXX. I am still awaiting a call back from XXXX XXXX to verify if she will or will not provide me with an address.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation