Consumer complaint received 2019-04-12
Company: Merchants and Professional Bureau, Inc.
State: TX
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
In XXXX of XXXX MERCHANTS & PROFESSIONAL inaccurately and irresponsibly reported multiple debts in collections to my XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX credit reports. I learned that MERCHANTS & PROFESSIONAL has been furnishing debts bought from XXXX XXXX XXXX and attempting to collect these invalid debts from me. I responded to MERCHANTS & PROFESSIONAL on XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, and XX/XX/XXXX via certified online mail with a cease and desist for violating HIPPA and asking them to furnish proof of standing. They have failed to respond to either of my requests. Due to their negligence and inability to accurately respond to my requests, I will be pursuing legal action against MERCHANTS & PROFESSIONAL. My family and I are in the middle of purchasing a home. This behavior is unacceptable. The failure on behalf of the MERCHANTS & PROFESSIONAL have cause great pain for my family and I. Here 's a copy of my letter " ( personal info Omitted ) MERCHANTS & PROFESSIONAL XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Re : Acct # ( personal info omitted ) To Whom It May Concern : This letter is being sent to you in response to your recent letter. This is not a refusal to pay, but a notice that your claim is disputed. 
Under the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act ( FDCPA ), I have the right to request validation of the debt you say I owe you. I am requesting proof that I am indeed the party you are asking to pay this debt, the date of the alleged medical service, the name of the patient, and proof that there is some contractual obligation which is binding on me to pay this debt. 
Please attach copies of : Any agreement with your client that grants you the authority to collect on this alleged debt, or proof of acquisition by purchase or assignment, and authorization under subtitle D of the ARRA, SEC. 13401. APPLICATION OF SECURITY PROVISIONS AND PENALTIES TO BUSINESS ASSOCIATES OF COVERED ENTITIES ; and SEC. 13407 ( 1 ) BREACH OF SECURITY. 
The term 'breach of security ' means, with respect to unsecured PHR identifiable health information of an individual in a personal health record, acquisition of such information without the authorization of the individual. 
Please note that enforcement of penalties against you is covered under the penalty rules of the Omnibus Final Rule effective XX/XX/XXXX interpreting and implementing various provisions of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of XXXX ( HITECH Act ) as issued XX/XX/XXXX and the penalty rules of the FCRA and FACTA including FACT Act changes final rules effective XX/XX/XXXX. 
Please also attach : copies of any agreement that bears the signature of the alleged debtor wherein he or she agreed to pay the creditor and as this is a medical account a copy of any HIPAA authorization. 
1819229.1.2 Please also be advised that this letter is not only a formal dispute, but a request that you cease and desist any and all collection activities, including reporting of ; or verifying of this account on my credit reports. 
I require compliance with the terms and conditions of this letter within 30 days. or a complete withdrawal, in writing, of any claim. 
In the event of noncompliance, I reserve the right to le charges and/? or complaints with the OCR on your HIPAA violations and appropriate County, State & Federal authorities, the CFPB XXXX XXXX and State Bar associations for violations of the FDCPA, FCRA, and Federal and State statutes on illegal collection activities on any account that may be time- barred as well as in violation of TX medical privacy rules. 
I also hereby reserve my right to take private civil action against you to recover damages. 
Sincerely, ( Personal Info Omitted ) '' I have attached my latest letter

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