Consumer complaint received 2019-04-13
Company: Stephen L. Bruce, P.C.
State: LA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Sued you in a state where you do not live or did not sign for the debt

Complaint:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX present and former XXXX XXXX Attorney previous XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX, XXXX  XXXX Re : XXXXXXXX XXXX  vs XXXX XXXX Case No. XXXX XXXX  XXXX, File No. XXXX Balance Due : {$13000.00} I have been paying an amount of {$20.00} a month on a XXXX XXXX account taken over by XXXX XXXX original state XXXX since about XXXX in XXXX, XXXX. I moved to XXXX, XXXX in XXXX after resigning from XXXX XXXX in XXXX   and a divorce in XX/XX/XXXX. I did not agree to terms of a credit limit over $ 10,000.00- {$20000.00}. Was faithfully making agree upon payments monthly with excellent credit. My credit was about {$3000.00} or so while in XXXX I continued to make payments of about {$51.00} or so a month, without a job given to me by my sister until I may find employment. The payments did stop before I could find employment. I did have a XXXX  XXXX in XX/XX/XXXX after mothers death and custody of my son given to my now ex-husband. I was diagnosed and labeled XXXX with XXXX symptoms. I started to receive benefits from Social Security ( XXXX ) however before this took effect I was sued by XXXXXXXX XXXX did not attend court since I could not get counsel did not have assistance to do so. They gave me no opportunity for payment plan, but did later agree to the {$20.00} later after being sued having added an amount of about {$10000.00} or so to my debt owed to them. Corresponding with Attorney XXXX XXXX mentioned above. I have been making those agreed upon payments every since up until now XX/XX/XXXX previous I asked for the amount of how much I had paid they wrote back with about as I can somewhat remember {$2500.00} to {$3000.00} this was about a couple of years ago. The attorney I am now paying Stephen Bruce & Associates after they date XX/XX/XXXX is saying my balance is {$13000.00} and due now. Mailed by one of the lawyers of that firm XXXX XXXX XXXX, they previously wrote that I should give a phone number to be reached I did but they did not call. I sent {$50.00} from my Social Security Benefits that month instead of {$20.00}. They wrote again saying they are aware I have a job with XXXX XXXX in XXXX, XXXX and would garnish my check and if I would send and payment in the amount of {$250.00} no later than XX/XX/XXXX. I recently sent a money order of {$100.00} and told them I would send the rest on XX/XX/XXXX. Only since I do not want my check garnished I might possibly lose the Social Security Benefits since I must not go over a certain amount each month and I did. I have no other support except my job at XXXX and the benefits XXXX. There second letter is threatening and they are asked to reconsider by a letter written alone with the {$100.00} by me. I am not sure of my rights but did know they may garnish my check. I do not have a checking account since they did ask for it my check stub and last 2 pay period summary. I did not send those since like I said I would like to know my rights. The letter did say if they may set a payment agreement rather that the garnishing with my debt Visa from my job at XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX. I have been only working about 10 months. The had not every said they would garnish my Social Security XXXX benefits since I wonder about that as well. Is this legal procedure? 
The letter reads : Dear XXXX XXXX Our client has requested that your file be reviewed for garnishment of your wages with XXXX XXXX. If you do not wish for this process to move any further, you must forward a copy of your last two bank statements, your last two paycheck stubs, and an initial payment in the amount of {$250.00} to our office no later than XX/XX/XXXX. You must also contact our office to arrange to pay the remaining balance. If a garnishment is filed it could increase the amount you owe. 
Our client has requested that at the appropriate time, I proceed with legal action to collect the entire balance on this account without further notice to you. 
The letter is signed by XXXX XXXX XXXX, never dealt with before! 

May you please assist me concerning this office and XXXX XXXX. 

Thank You Very Much XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation