Consumer complaint received 2018-11-21
Company: Green Square Company LLC.
State: TX
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Payday loan debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a voicemail message from XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX was later identified as working for PRG ( Premiere Recovery Group or XXXX XXXX XXXX ). XXXX stated the following on the recording : " This is XXXX XXXX. ( Inaudible ) calling for a civil grievance for a breach of contract you have committed as a result of a returned transaction that came out of a XXXX XXXX XXXX Account. At this point in our investigation, it is essential to speak with you or your attorney further addressing the allegations as we are granted a limited amount of time. We need to discuss this matter with you while your paperwork is being drawn up. XXXX XXXX stated the date and then stated if you want to prevent further proceedings as well as documentation released to your employer call ( provided number ). I expect to speak with you in 24 hours. Your ID number is XXXX. '' I returned Mr. XXXX 's call. Mr. XXXX began his scripted introduction, however, did not identify the company he was employed with. Mr. XXXX explained to me that I was facing a civil lawsuit by the creditor for " Breach of Contract, '' " Bad Check, '' and " Attempt to defraud a financial institution. '' Confused I asked Mr. XXXX who the collector was and he stated that it was XXXX XXXX XXXX, who bought the debt from XXXX XXXX XXXX. Mr. XXXX told me that the amount owed is {$1600.00} and that there is a settlement figure, but did not disclose the settlement figure. I asked Mr. XXXX to give me a minute to check the XXXX XXXX account because I have not used it in a while and it is actually closed. Mr. XXXX became sarcastic in his deliverance. Mr. XXXX stated that the return transaction is from XX/XX/XXXX, and payments stopped in XX/XX/XXXX. Mr. XXXX read off my driver 's license number and the last four of my social. I stated I do remember taking out a payday loan, but did not believe it was with XXXX  so I would like to check the account. Mr. XXXX stated in a loud manner, " So this is not your debt? '' Mr. XXXX then became crude with intentional discourtesy and stated, " So what do you have a twin sister or something? '' Noting he was unprofessional, I responded by telling him that they should give him a raise for being a comedian. I could hear Mr. XXXX laughing on the phone. While he was unprofessional, the call was calm at this point. 

I told Mr. XXXX that I was willing to work with him, but I needed verification of whom he was and a legit letter or e-mail from him with his company not his personal e-mail so if I do make these arrangements and they turn out to be fraudulent I know who to come after for a lawsuit. Mr. XXXX stated that he would not provide me with either and that they do not send letter nor e-mails for verification. Mr. XXXX became hostile and started yelling that I was questioning the integrity of his company. Mr. XXXX then asked me if the cable company or the electric company called me for a payment would I ask them for verification. I then advised Mr. XXXX that both of those companies send me letters and I would not make the payment over the phone without verification. Mr. XXXX told me that if we did not make a payment arrangement or an arrangement to pay the debt off by the end of the call that he would be forwarding that I am not willing to comply to the company so they can begin the legal proceedings. 

I questioned what the issue was if I was willing to work with them, but wanted verification first. Mr. XXXX stated that there's no way he would have all the information he has on me and that should be enough validation. I advised that in today 's world anything is possible. Mr. XXXX was being very loud and speaking over me. Mr. XXXX was continuing to refuse to provide verification and advised that there would be no letters sent. Mr. XXXX began making smart remarks that were degrading and I told him that he may have that smart XXXX funny type of personality, but that is not the way you work with people. I then told him he may not be that successful if this is how he treats people and he may find it easier if he is professional. Mr. XXXX stated he was very successful in what he does. I told Mr. XXXX he was not going to scare me into paying this debt and I needed verification. Mr. XXXX stated that he does not get anything out of me paying my debts. I corrected him and explained that I use to work in XXXX  so I know he receives bonuses. Mr. XXXX began to yell at me. Mr. XXXX stated in his frantic state that since I worked for XXXX XXXX before then I know how to get out of paying my debts and that I don't pay my debts. I asked for his supervisor since the call escalated and I told him he escalated the call and became very dramatic for no reason. Mr. XXXX stated something to the effect of that is fine or something very rude and then hung up on me instead of transferring me to his supervisor. 

I contacted the company back and asked for a supervisor. I spoke with a man that identified himself as XXXX XXXX. XXXX was more professional but still had a very rude deliverance. XXXX stated he understood where I was coming from for wanting verification, but his attorney team has told them not send letters nor e-mails. I told XXXX that made no sense for a legal to advise that because that is not how it should be done. XXXX began spatting about how they were legit and he was stating how they were legit, but I could not keep up with all the acronyms or whatever he was saying. XXXX denied to send me a letter and an e-mail. XXXX told me that the original debt collectors sold the debt to XXXX XXXX XXXX and he provided me the number. XXXX told me if I did my due diligence in contacting XXXX or if I wanted to contact XXXX and go down the chain, he would be in the office for the next two hours and would even give me until the morning to call him back to set up a payment. 

I logged into my XXXX  account. The debt owed on my account is shown as {$1500.00}, not {$1600.00} like I was advised by Mr. XXXX. I contacted XXXX  and was advised that the debt was sold to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, not XXXX XXXX. 

I contacted XXXX back and he did not answer. I left him a voicemail and advised that without verification I would not make a payment with them, but I was willing as long as I could verify. 

Mr. XXXX advised me that the conversation was recorded. 

The FDCPA states : The collector can not use crude language. 
The collector can only tell the debtor about the debt and request payment. Debt collectors can not harass debtors nor can they threaten to sue unless they truly inted to take the debtor to court. 
The collector can send letters and e-mails. 
The collector has to send a written " Validation Notice '' within 5 days of initial contact. 
The collector can not misrepresent the amount owed. 
The collector can not tell an employer that you owe a debt. 

Mr. XXXX violated all of these.

Company public response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation