Consumer complaint received 2020-05-16
Company: Northwood Asset Management Group
State: CA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Payday loan debt
Issue: Threatened to contact someone or share information improperly
Sub-issue: Talked to a third-party about your debt

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX I rec 'd a forwarded recorded message from someone whom I do not live with, stating that a Ms. XXXX with Northwood Asset Management Group  ( AMG ) was looking to obtain a statement placed in their office containing my name and social security number, stating to call XXXX. The person who forwarded the message is not part of my household, and the phone number Ms. XXXX called attempting to reach me, is not a valid number for me, and has been continuously leaving messages at various individuals voicemails about the debt. The information was obtained through public records and violated the debt collection act by leaving details that should have been intended for me. I received a direct call on my personal cell phone on XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX XXXX, from the same individual, Ms. XXXX representing AMG. She stated she was representing the former Creditor, XXXX with whom I defaulted on a {$3500.00} installment loan in XXXX, after I could not complete the final payment of {$1800.00} estimated balance on a negotiated settlement for the loan. The the loan was sold for collection to AMG. I told Ms. XXXX that the number she was calling me on this day, was my correct phone number, and and that she is to only speak to me about the debt, and no one else. I advised her that I was unable to pay due to a Federal Tax Lien Filed on my personal property and assets by the Internal Revenue Service in XX/XX/XXXX. I stated that I was in the process of obtaining an attorney through my legal team XXXX XXXX XXXX, and preparing to file a bankruptcy petition with a legal counselor. I stated due to the tax lien, no funds would be paid to anyone until a plan was put in place and filed. She proceeded to argue with me about the debt, and ask why I haven't obtained an attorney. I explained to her, that I am a XXXX  XX/XX/XXXX, I am in the midst of a financial hardship due to COVID-19, and since the courts were closed, having trouble finding an attorney. I obtained her address, and stated the company she was collecting on behalf of would be notified of the attorney and case when it's finished. Ms. XXXX was also told again on XX/XX/XXXX, if there are further collection calls, she was to contact me directly and no one else! I gave her my number again, and verified my mailing address. With that in mind, she still proceeded to harass me about why I haven't filed, why I haven't obtained an attorney, and that she had a right to call whomever to collect the debt, and I hung up. She is still calling other people and leaving messages, knowing that she has my active contact information on file! Today, on XX/XX/XXXX. I was notified by yet another individual, again, who does not live with me, is not related to me or share the same phone number, that they received a recorded phone message from Ms. XXXX stating they were attempting to collect a debt, and left details on the message. This is a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Act.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation