Consumer complaint received 2017-08-03
Company: Seattle Service Bureau, Inc
State: CA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: I do not know
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged

Complaint:
Tuesday, XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Aka : Seattle Service Bureau Attn : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, WA XXXX Re : Claim Number XXXX DOA : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  ********NOTICE OF DISPUTE & DEMAND TO CEASE AND DESIST********** Gentlepeople, The purpose of this letter is to confirm the two conversations that I had this morning with XXXX XXXX XXXX At XXXX this morning, I received a message that I saved from from ( XXXX ) with XXXX XXXX XXXX . The message that was left on my phone said, hi this message is for XXXX XXXX weve been directed to contact you regarding the accident that occurred on XX/XX/XXXX this is XXXX with XXXX XXXX XXXX, this message is time sensitive and it does require your immediate attention regarding an insurance claim listed against you in my office. Please contact me today at XXXX reference my file number XXXX  thank you.
I returned the called and spoke with XXXX who said that he was working on a claim that was made against me and that my vehicle, a XXXX XXXX was involved in a car accident on XX/XX/XXXX and that approximately {$1100.00} of damages were owed, moreover, as the registered owner that I was responsible for said amount due.
I denied owing the debt and told him that I was not the registered owner. In fact, I told him that the vehicle in question if this was my car, I had sold two years ago, and I personally took the bottom portion of the pink slip to the DMV ( Department of Motor Vehicle )  when I sold the car and filed a released of liability. He proceeded to tell me that I owed the bill and that my license would be suspended if I did not pay the bill. He then made a smart remark stating that I had a beautiful XXXX dollar home and that they knew where I lived He ( XXXX ) said that XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) is a State Agency and that they were going to suspend my driving privileges for not paying the claim. I told him that I not responsible for this debt, furthermore if they suspend my license that I would file a Civil Complaint against their company. He then hung up the phone.
Ten minutes later I received two calls from 2 of my family members stating that there were just contacted by XXXX XXXX XXXX  and left a message stating that they needed for me, XXXX XXXX, to contact their office regarding an accident that occurred on XX/XX/XXXX. and that they were looking for me. Lets keep in mind that I just had finished speaking with XXXX a few minutes ago and since he did not like my answer regarding the debt he was trying to collect he then decided to used harassment to force me to contact his office. My family members were very concerned and asked if I was okay and if I needed any help. I told them that I was very upset regarding a troubling call I received from XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XX/XX/XXXX ) a State Agency that was going to suspend my license for none payment on an accident they claim I was responsible. Which I was not!
About XXXX XXXX I called XX/XX/XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ) and requested to speak with a manager and I was transferred to XXXX XXXX who identified himself as a manager. I reiterated the conversation I had above with XXXX and told him that I was very upset with the call and did not appreciate the innuendoes made by XXXX that I had a nice XXXX home and that he knew where I lived, moreover, I made myself very clear about the following : 1. The vehicle in question was sold over two years ago 2. I was not the registered owner 3. I did not owe any debt nor claim 4. I did not receive any correspondence regarding any said claims 5. First time I ever heard about a claim or accident involving a XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  said that that there was an accident onXX/XX/XXXX and that XXXX XXXX XXXX was the driver of the vehicle. Again, I disputed the claim that I owed any moneys to XXXX XXXX XXXX, 2 ) that I was not liable for claims arising from an insurance claim as the vehicle was sold two years ago, 3 ) paperwork was provided to the Department of Motor Vehicles and I filed a release of liability with them.
After 30 minutes into this conversation with XXXX XXXX I realized that my attempts to reason with him seemed futile, therefore I asked documentation to validate their claims. Furthermore, I emphasized that a State Agency like he said they were, that XXXX XXXX XXXX   had not properly notify me of any claims or moneys owed.
He said that letters were sent to my address at : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Ca. XXXX. I told him that I never lived there nor was that ever my place of residence. He then asked who was XXXX XXXX? I told him that I did not know. At this point, I was very skeptical of the whole conversation and thought this was a scam. I asked if he could send me an email or copy of notice, that had his company letterhead to validate his company and if in fact, he was a manager and a copy of the letters XXXX XXXX XXXX had sent me. He then said, that this is what a person would say that would not pay. His comment was not only insulting but denied my right to dispute the claim. Finally, he agreed to send me an email but mentioned, that my license would be suspended and that he had no control over other departments that would suspend my license. I told him that he was a manager he had a legal obligation to work with me to resolve this disputed debt and that he could place a hold on this claim. He said that he could not guarantee it, as he could not control what other departments do. I found that to be so ironic as managers have the authority to place things on hold while issues are in dispute.
The next day, Wednesday, XX/XX/XXXX, I went to the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX for the County of XXXX XXXX for the State of California and spoke with the XXXX  at the XXXX Office. She is a manager at the DMV in the section for registrations and spoke with her at XXXX. She confirmed that my vehicle was sold, and a RELEASE OF LIABILITY was recorded on XX/XX/XXXX. She was shocked that to hear that I had received a call from a company threatening to suspend my license and demand for payment when I was not liable. Furthermore, she said that if I had a problem with them, to tell them that they need to contact the DMV and should not be collecting on a debt where they can validate easily that I am not liable nor responsible for any debt as I filed a release of liability with DMV. At this point gentlemen I do not need to present any documentation to any of your claims as this is a scam or your company is acting in a deceptive collection manner attempting to collect on a debt that I do not owe nor am I RESPONSIBLE. I strongly urge you to contact the DMV and do your homework first before demanding and harassing consumers for moneys. Additionally, please accept this letter as a FORMAL NOTICE that I am reporting your company to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission due to violations committed by your company. A list of the violations will be sent to your company in a separate cover. This letter will also serve as Notice to Cease and Desist your attempts to collect ; if a negative remark is made on my credit, I will file a Civil Claim against all parties involved in Superior Court , County of XXXX XXXX. Guide yourselves according.
XXXX XXXX Cc : XXXX XXXX, CEO XXXX XXXX XXXX Also known as Seattle Service Bureau XXXX ( Representative with XXXX XXXX XXXX ) Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( C.F.P.B. ) Federal Trade Commission

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation