Consumer complaint received 2020-10-30
Company: The Lueder Law Firm, LLC
State: GA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was paid

Complaint:
A law firm representing my HOA placed a lien on my home, threaten sue me and is attempting to collect {$4000.00} for attorney fees that they claim are for charges for non payment of my XXXX HOA assessment fees. I have provided proof of full payment via a cancelled check and electronic bank receipts for total amount that was due. The total payment was paid by the due date in XXXX. After the submission of the cancelled check, they gave me credit for the payment made but refused to remove their fees. 

In late XX/XX/XXXX, I contacted the HOA management company to inquire about a bill received in the amount of $ XXXX.The normal fees are $ XXXX $ XXXX/yr. The HOA Management Co. representative, stated that this was probably due to the transferring of their books from the former management company. She stated that she would have the manager to call me and that this should be resolved shortly. I did not receiving a call back. I then made 3-4 calls follow up calls in an attempt to resolve. I eventually sent an email to the company disputing the charges. 

XXXX XXXX, while attempting to pay the XXXX HOA  yearly dues, I discovered that my my online balance displayed a XXXX  balance. I emailed the management co. inquiring about the XXXX balance. XX/XX/XXXX, the management company responded stating that that the online balance was incorrect and I was now being charged fees in excess of {$2000.00}. I disputed those charges. 

XX/XX/XXXX I received a letter from the firm representing the HOA in which they threaten a lawsuit and requested {$3100.00} plus a {$310.00} charge within 30 days. I emailed my HOA board requesting assistance in the matter. I was informed by the board rep that they would not become involved in a financial matter but would request that I be provided with details of the charges. 
On, XX/XX/XXXX I retained a personal attorney. After accepting my case and receiving payment he reached out the the firm representing the HOA. I provided him with proof of payment. He contacted the opposing attorney. The opposing attorney deducted the fee that I paid in XXXX but refused to remove any charges that resulted in their accounting mistake. My attorney suggested that I should make an settlement offer to cease the opposing firm 's fees. I refused and demanded the fees to be removed. 

XXXX XXXX, I received a letter from XXXX, XXXX and XXXX stating that they would proceed with a law suit 15 business days from the date of the letter. The letter sent was dated XX/XX/XXXX. The USPS postmark was dated XXXX XXXX. On XXXX XXXX, XXXX I notified my attorney and faxed copies of the letter and envelope to him. 

XXXX XXXX, XXXX my attorney email me advising that I should just pay the full amount to prevent them from increasing or adding more charges. I asked him what were my legal rights and if I had any legal protections. He was did not provide any answers other than stating this was the best that he could do. 

On XXXX XXXX, I have received communication from my attorney with an attached payment plan proposal for a total of {$4000.00}

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