Consumer complaint received 2020-10-09
Company: Jon Barry and Associates, Inc.
State: TX
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive notice of right to dispute

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX, I got a notification from XXXX that DBA Paragon Revenue Group flagged account as collection for {$3100.00} on XX/XX/XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX I got another notification from XXXX that the same company flagged my account as collection on XX/XX/XXXX. Noted on the account from XXXX, XXXX  and XXXX, Paragon states that the account were opened XX/XX/XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX I sent a letter advising Paragon to validate debt and HIPPA Authorization with break down of fees including any collection cost and medical charges, I asked them to provide a copy of my signature with the provider of service to release my medical information to Paragon as well as to cease any credit bureau reporting until debt has been validated by me. I received an envelope from Paragon with post date XX/XX/XXXX. The letter dated XX/XX/XXXX, states that they have documented my account as disputed and that an itemize statement and consent to treat is enclosed to validate account. I don't know all the legal terms when it comes to this type of situation but I don't think what they sent justifies validation. Paragon didn't provide me a copy of my signature with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX to release my information to Paragon. Previously this account were with XXXX who the hospital states is there internal collection agency and that XXXX have access to there billing system to start collection process but does not send any documents that she know of, well back in XX/XX/XXXX I sent XXXX the same validation letter and the only thing they could produce were an itemized statement but also sent me a letter dated XX/XX/XXXX that the debt were being removed from my XXXX  credit report because that's the only bureau it were reporting too. So I'm confused, if it were removed from XXXX around XX/XX/XXXX, how could Paragon states that the account were opened with them on XX/XX/XXXX. In other words XXXX never gave me a chance to validate the debt, they passed it on 10 days later to someone else. Paragon never sent a letter stating that this is an attempt to collect a debt until I sent the validation letter. This is a violation of my rights, no matter how many times a debt get passed down from collection to collection, you still have to notify the consumer that you are attempting to collect a debt. The dates just not adding up nor is the information. If Paragon has a contract to collect on the debit for XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, I need to be made aware of it in writing because in speaking with the original creditor billing department who I asked about the debt he did say that Paragon have it and I did proceed to ask what documents they released to Paragon and I was advised that Paragon receives only the amount of the debt and I also asked where there any other paperwork they get and the agent said he not sure so I asked who else can i speak to that can advise me and the agent said the Patient Access Director, contacted the PAD and she have no knowledge of Pargaon collections and couldn't tell me what documents they get. I may not be the smartest when it comes to this but just tell me how is that Paragon can get something that the  hospital collection XXXX couldn't produce who suppose to have access to the hospital systems. I also contacted XXXX and asked if the debt were sold and the young lady told me that they don't sell debts or transfer. Yes, I'm aware that it's been since XXXX but I moved right afterwards and alot of mail got delayed so when pulling credit back in mid XX/XX/XXXX is when I learned of the collection and addressed it.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation