Consumer complaint received 2019-05-03
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: CA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Threatened to sue you for very old debt

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX XXXX PST I received a call from a number I did not recognize and allowed it to go to voicemail. When I listened to the voicemail it was someone on behalf of document republic. They were calling to confirm that I would be available to sign for a certified legal notice that was scheduled to be issued at my home address ( which was accurate ). They asked me to contact the firm. They stated they had my information which was provided by DMV records off my drivers license information. They provided my date of birth ( which was correct ) but had my maiden name not married name ( which is updated on my drivers license ). They said they needed a signature in order to deliver the package. They provided a number to call and a file number. Concerned I called them back and provided the file number. I was then quickly transferred to the representative in charge of my file. Once getting to her she asked for the last four of my SSN which I skeptically provided. Once she verified me she continued to tell me I had an unpaid debt that they were collecting. She stated that if I didnt pay them they were going to sue me. I asked more questions regarding the debt and she stated she did not have to provide me with anything. I then asked her to confirm the original creditor which she said she didnt have to provide to me. She said that she will put in my file that I was not interested in paying and that they will sue me with an added XXXX for court fees. I again asked her for more information because I couldnt remember what debt she was referring to. She said oh really you dont remover having an account with ( company name )?. I responded with no she then went on to say ok well Im putting in your file refusal to pay well see you in court. I then asked her for a manager which she quickly told me no I asked her again for her manager. She said Im going to give you the original account number you can can the company and ask them and then Im going to hang up. I again said I wanted a manager and she continued to avoid my request. She started reading off the account number and I quickly scribbled the number and then she hung up on me. I called the company and requested the charge off department. Once there they stated that they did have a debt attached to that account which was charged off in XXXX. They said they could not provide me with any other details as once the account is charged off they do not own the account or the previous statements. I called the collector back to request a statement or something to prove the debt. I was quickly transferred back to the same lady who was extremely rude. I asked her for the statements and she responded with no legally we dont have to give you any proof if you want proof then well take you to court and your lawyer can request copies but again well add XXXX to your existing debt of XXXX. I then asked why she couldnt provide me with proof and she said again that legally she didnt have to and was going to write that o was declining to pay and that shed see me in court. I asked her to let me speak to a manager and she was very condescending insinuating that I was only a customer service rep. She then hung up on me but before doing that she said good luck in court. I called the number again and refused to give the rep my file number, I immediately requested a manager. Finally speaking to a manager I explained that I wanted to get more information regarding this debt. He said they were going to send me a validation of debt. He also said that he was going to put in a block so they would stop contacting my friends, family, neighbors and place of business. I asked him if they were doing that and he said yes. This confused me because I had not had anyone tell me that these people were looking for me. I asked him for information on how to pay if I wanted to set up a repayment of some sort. He provided me with a 50 % discount which he said was a favor to me or 25 % down and then 5 month payment plan. I told him I would wait for the letter and then Ill would verify the information and address it then. He said that would be fine and we disconnected mutually. After I had time to look at everything ( later that day ) I reviewed my old emails and found that I had set up a payment plan to pay the debt in full back in XXXX. I confirmed using bank statements that the payments were auto drafted from my account. I have the original affidavit of correctness/assignment which was purchased by the company I made payments to.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation