Consumer complaint received 2019-08-30
Company: Seattle Service Bureau, Inc
State: WA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged

Complaint:
To Whom it May Concern, I am writing this in hopes of finding help regarding a collection I recently discovered with employees XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX, representatives of National Service Bureau XXXX XXXX XXXX at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX in XXXX, WA XXXX. 
I recently discovered an account in collections with National Service Bureau in the amount of {$8100.00}. On Thursday XX/XX/2019 at XXXX PST I called the National Service Bureau to inquire about the debt. The first person I spoke with was XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX. XXXX humilated me right from the start. I explained who I was and that I needed to address the debt on my credit report as I am looking to improve my credit score for future opportunities for our family. 
XXXX XXXX went out of his way to humiliate me and make me feel like a terrible person from the beginning of the conversation. On top of the humiliation and harassment and down right fear of not being able to pay this debt in full, To quote XXXX he said such things as I wont help you buy a house and It isnt my fault you have kids. I love my children and my family. I was humiliated, embarrassed and confused. And when I requested information of the debt and any payment terms in writing he absolutely refused accused me of defaulting on future payments when he said I ( XXXX ) would get my letter and never pay him. I only wanted some sort of documentation with the balance and information, he and his company have still not sent the initial collection that is required by a collection agency. Mr. XXXX XXXX stated he is not obligated to send any notices in writing. 
At this point I am so upset, distraught and humiliated that I am crying and ask for his supervisor since I am now being accused of defaulting on future payments. XXXX stated that he is the supervisor and there is no one else to speak with. Finally, when I tell him I am reviewing my rights regarding written validation of the debt with the FDCPA or Fair Debt Collection Practices Act he stated, well Im not staying on the phone for that and finally provided his supervisors name and phone number. He was either unable or unwilling to transfer me, despite my request. 
It is now XXXX PST on Thursday XX/XX/2019. I immediately call his supervisor XXXX XXXX, before I even have a chance to introduce myself ( while in tears ) he immediately puts me on hold. When XXXX returns to the phone call he unbelievably proceeds to make me feel even worse than I did when I got off the phone call with XXXX. I thought I had already been humiliated and belittled to the max ; I was wrong. I became more embarrassed and humiliated if thats even humanly possible. And even worse ; on the phone while my young children are home. And while I did my best to hide the humiliation and tears ; my children still needed me to function as their mom. I only wanted information to make the debt right. Payment options and information. 
I had explained the situation to XXXX, and obviously I had already been humilated and brought to tears, and ( XXXX ) said he would apologize on behalf of XXXX. XXXX then stated that he needed to review the file/account and speak with legal before he would speak with me regarding the account reporting to my credit. On top of being an emotional and humiliated mess, now an account in legal, what does that mean? No summons and complaint had been filed, hence legally wages can not be garnished. And XXXX still refused to provide any documentation on the debt ; despite my request again and again. When I asked why he needed to speak with legal he refused to answer my question and just kept repeating that he needed to speak with the legal department and would not speak with me anymore until he had done so. At this point I have no idea if I am going to be picked up and taken to jail or sued. XXXX XXXX promised me he would call back the next day ( Friday XX/XX/2019 ) at the same time ( approximately XXXX PST ) after speaking with the legal department but he never called. 
By the end of my conversation with both XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/2019 I was a total mess. I was literally sobbing, completely terrified that National Service Bureau was going to take me to court over or put me in jail for a debt they stated I owed. 
All of XXXX of my children were home and present during this phone call since school hadnt started yet and my oldest XXXX ( XXXX & XXXX years old ) were so upset because I was clearly upset and kept asking me why I was crying. This is after my FIRST interaction with National Service Bureau. I had never spoken to XXXX XXXX or XXXX XXXX or any other staff member at National Service Bureau before. Nor have I ever ever received any form of written notice or information of this debt. 
I spent the entire weekend filled with XXXX, dread, and continue to this day that this collection agency may put me in jail or are out to do whatever they can to bully me out of fear of losing my children or any income for the sake of their paychecks. I have not slept well and have had several XXXX XXXX since that day. I know without a doubt I have been harassed, humilated, and now live in a constant state of fear of XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX at National Service Bureau. While I understand they have a job to do, but harassing, humiliating, degrading and frightening a person is not only unprofessional ; its against the law. On a state and federal level. The FDCPA, CFBF and Washington RCWs and WAC codes all clearly state the standards and definition of harassment. 
My husband and I have worked so hard to take care of financial obligations. We have set goals ; and are working to attain them. We just wanted to make things right and work toward financial freedom. On top of not being able to resolve this issue : I now live in constant fear my husband and I may go to jail because of this debt, as the legal department has not contacted us. 
I just wanted information on this debt ; in hopes I could make it right. I dont feel owing a debt is reason to put the fear of jail into a person. And by stating, he needed to review the file and speak with legal department multiple times in a single conversation before I could even gain the information to make the debt right. 
I have never been so humiliated and confused in my life. And I only wanted information regarding the original creditor, date of service and balance information ; as I have never even received the initial notice of collection. I live in a constant state of fear now ; which is affecting me in the most important job and role in the world : a mom. This company still refuses to send me anything in writing ; as they stated they are not obligated to. What exactly are they obligated to do? I hardly think humiliating, bullying, dehumanizing and frightening an individual who is requesting information on a debt that is supposedly due in owing is legal let alone professional. I continue to live day by day in fear of their legal department and I have no idea whether my husband or I will wind up in jail or harm to my children. 
On XX/XX/2019 I had contacted National Service Bureau with good and responsible intentions and was yet again harassed and humiliated. I am hoping someone in a position of authority will review this information ; as I live in a constant state of fear, I havent slept in weeks, I have become distraught and emotional due to the constant fear and unknown. I am experiencing a level of panic and fear I did not know was evenly humanly possible. I am unable to be the best mom and wife I could be ; I live in a constant stage of fear. It has become so frightening and Im literally unable to fully function as a mom and a wife ; I have had to make doctors appointment to address my XXXX and XXXX XXXX. 
I appreciate your time and attention to this matter.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation