Consumer complaint received 2021-12-22
Company: Atlanticus Services Corporation
State: AR
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
I was called by a company called XXXX XXXX about an old credit card debt. I was told it was concerning a XXXX Credit card. I told the man that according to my credit report that debt was closed in XXXX. He told me that just because it was closed did not mean I did not owe it. He told me he was needing to collect {$1800.00} from me and if I did not agree to a payment plan today ( XXXX XXXX ) that I would be " served : with court papers. I could see that the debt still showed on my credit report, so I paid the XXXX XXXX {$150.00}. XXXX. 

However, I called XXXX XXXX XXXX today ( XX/XX/XXXX ) who told me they had no lawsuit against me and the total I had owed them was {$970.00}. The lady explained to me that if I wanted to pay them, I could make payments, but they would not be taking me to court. 

I then called XXXX XXXX back to try to explain to him I have made a connection with XXXX XXXX and would not need to make payments to their legal firm. The man was very hateful to me and told me THIS IS NOT FOR A XXXX ACCOUNT -- THIS IS FOR AN ASPIRE CREDIT CARD FROM XXXX. 

I told him I had never had an Aspire credit card, but he insisted that this was an old debt, and he had my social security number on the account # XXXX. I tried to tell him this was not right, but he threated to add harassment to the lawsuit and said I had already made the payment, so this was no longer up for discussion. 

I got back online, and I called Aspire Credit card corporate offices. I asked them to look up my social security number and tell me if they showed an old credit card bill in my name. They FOUND NOTHING UNDER MY SOCIAL. I then asked them to check old " bundled and sold '' accounts given to collectors or legal firms -- AGAIN, THEY FOUND NOTHING UNDER MY SOCIAL OR MY NAME. 

I called XXXX XXXX  back and requested that they send me the account information and the entire written explanation of this lawsuit and account -- they agreed to do so after being somewhat nicer to me but reminding me that this had been explained to me before and I had sent a payment ( it was explained to me as an old XXXX debt first, though, and then Aspire ). 

I spent a great deal of time and money 2 years ago to contact all my old bills and pay them off or settle them and during that time I saw NOTHING FROM AN ASPIRE card either on my credit report or from the collection agencies/law firms I called to resolve all those. XXXX XXXX ( which I can not find online anywhere ) states that this bill was from XXXX!!! THAT WAS 14 YEARS AGO!!! I can not find proof of this anywhere. I called each of the 3 collection agencies that Aspire told me handled their past due accounts -- I talked with XXXX of them -- XXXX and XXXX -- neither of these agencies found my social on any documents or accounts they had. The other agency they gave me was XXXX XXXX -- I could find no information on them at all. 

XXXX XXXX did not tell me where they are located. The phone number I have for them is XXXX and that is all I know about them. I do not mind paying for past mistakes and i have tried to clear each one, but I can not find proof of this account or bill, therefore, I am questioning XXXX XXXX. 

I want to get to the bottom of this situation. Thank you. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation