Consumer complaint received 2021-02-18
Company: Paypal Holdings, Inc
State: NY
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Other transaction problem

Complaint:
I recently received a letter from a company called XXXX XXXX XXXX in regards to a {$440.00} overdraft I have on a paypal account. I found this very strange, as I had previously been informed by a paypal representative through a phone call that they wouldn't pursue a debt collector and that the debt wouldn't affect my credit score. The letter says that I have 30 days to pay off this debt or it will be put permanently on my record, and tells me to pay it through a site called XXXX. I found it weird that it wasn't asking me to do this through paypal in any capacity, and upon further investigation, I'm starting to believe that this is a scam. here are a few reasons why : Firstly, the site XXXX isn't the site of ACI ; it's XXXX. That site even has it's own section to arrange payment. 

Secondly, the letter claims that the company is based in XXXX, New York, but the letter seemed to have been sent from XXXX, Texas. I've encountered scams before and one of the textbook signs of them being fish is inconsistencies with addresses. That puts this letter under suspect. 

In addition, there have been numerous forum posts on here mentioning letters like these seemingly from the same source with the same site attached, and most of them point to this as being part of the same scam. I'm starting to believe that's the case here as well, but since those posts also confirmed that XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX IS PayPals collection agency, I don't want to ignore this only for it to actually be legit. I dont take lightly to the threat of my credit being negatively impacted especially when confirmed by PayPal that my credit would not be affected, especially because I should not owe this debt. I was scammed out of an item I was selling on XXXX. I am sending a copy of the following to the ACI office as well. Personal information is redacted. 

To Whom It May Concern : I am sending this letter to you in response to a notice I received from you on ( date of letter XXXX. Be advised, this is not a refusal to pay, but a notice sent pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC 1692g Sec. 809 ( b ) that your claim is disputed and validation is requested. 

This is NOT a request for " verification '' or proof of my mailing address, but a request for VALIDATION made pursuant to the above named Title and Section. I respectfully request that your office provide me with competent evidence that I have any legal obligation to pay you. 

Please provide me with the following : What the money you say I owe is for ; Explain and show me how you calculated what you say I owe ; Provide me with copies of any papers that show I agreed to pay what you say I owe ; Provide a verification or copy of any judgment if applicable ; Identify the original creditor ; Prove the Statute of Limitations has not expired on this account ; Show me that you are licensed to collect in my state ; and Provide me with your license numbers and Registered Agent. 

If your offices have reported invalidated information to any of the three major Credit Bureau 's ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ), said action might constitute fraud under both Federal and State Laws. Due to this fact, if any negative mark is found on any of my credit reports by your company or the company that you represent I will not hesitate in bringing legal action against you for the following : Violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act Violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Defamation of Character If your offices are able to provide the proper documentation as requested, I will require at least 30 days to investigate this information and during such time all collection activity must cease and desist. 

Also during this validation period, if any action is taken which could be considered detrimental to any of my credit reports, I will consult with my legal counsel. This includes any information to a credit reporting repository that could be inaccurate or invalidated or verifying an account as accurate when in fact there is no provided proof that it is. 

If your offices fail to respond to this validation request within 10 ( ten ) days from the date listed above, all references to this account must be deleted and completely removed from my credit file and a copy of such deletion request shall be sent to me immediately. 

I would also like to request, in writing, that no telephone contact be made by your offices to my home or to my place of employment. If your offices attempt telephone communication with me, including but not limited to computer generated calls or correspondence sent to any third parties, it will be considered harassment and I will have no choice but to file suit. All future communications with me MUSTi be done in writing and sent to the address noted in this letter. 

This is an attempt to correct your records, any information obtained shall be used for that purpose. 

Best Regards, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief