Consumer complaint received 2020-01-30
Company: Bread Financial Holdings, Inc.
State: AZ
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Seized or attempted to seize your property

Complaint:
XX/XX/XXXX- I received a call from someone claiming they were from XXXX County Court system and said they were in attempt to serve me in attempt to sue. I told him I had never been served and he replied that " we wanted to see if you would resolve with company directly via telephone ''. He explained he could not tell me what it was about, but he could give me a phone number and a case number. That was XXXX XXXX XXXX and case number # XXXX. He then offered to connect me, I said go ahead. A lady by the name of " XXXX XXXX '' ( EXT. XXXX ) answered and said she was from " XXXX XXXX ''. She explained that XXXX was the 4th " chain and Title '' of debt owed to Victoria Secret for amount {$390.00} from year XX/XX/XXXX. I was confused, because according to my credit report I had paid off all my credit card debt in the past 3 years ( even old debt ), she claimed Victoria secret does not report to the credit bureau. I told her that I thought I paid this off, she asked for a " paid in full letter '' and I told her I didn't have my records. She then continued and discussed payment plans/options for me. I said I would need to call her back to verify all the chain and titles. I called back two days later XX/XX/XXXX and left a voicemail asking for a call back. She called back and I asked if she could send a letter to my home with the information of the debt that I owe. She said she could not do that. I asked for a manager. I waited on hold and a " manager '' came on the line and proceeded to tell me a letter can not be sent, but that they could email me. When they could clearly see my hesitation, he proceeded with very detailed threats like the year, make, and model of my car and that they would be placing a lien on it for this debt. He continued to try and intimidate me with very specific information like my address, job, bank that I bank with etc. He continued with these threats and said if I do not pay they will sue me. I was still hesitant and kindly explained that they must understand my hesitation as I would be giving them sensitive information to pay this debt and with all the fraud out there, it is very scary. I told him that since they refused the one thing I asked for ( a letter by mail ), that I would like to speak to the manager above him. He then placed me on hold and put the another person on the line ; It was very repetitive, almost like a script..I asked for a letter and explained my concerns and he had the same very detailed threats, but when I wasn't budging he laughed and said " we aren't here to please you or cater to your request, you are the one who owes a debt that you never paid in XX/XX/XXXX, if the debt is not paid you will be sued and it will double in court fees ''. There was a lot of back and fourth about the letter I requested and they refuse to send. He said that he emailed me one and I checked the email it was very plainly made and had no address or header. I told him this and his explanation is that " they didn't give their address out because of people like me ''. I told him he was being very rude and inconsiderate and he responded with " you're a joke ''. I told him if they refused to send the letter fine, I will do my research and according to the first lady I had until XX/XX/XXXX to pay the debt at a discount for {$230.00}. I told him we would speak then and hung up.I believe my rights with debt collectors is that they are not allowed to give very detailed threats about taking possession of things such as ; my car. I also realize they can not threaten to sue when there is not in fact a lawsuit in place. They went against my rights and I still do not have confidence this is a reputable company as Victoria Secret DOES report to the credit bureau and XXXX XXXX XXXX does not have a record of XXXX XXXX ANYWHERE. All I have is a phone call to go off of.This could be anyone and their lack of professionalism doesn't sell them either. The email I received came from XXXX XXXX ( 2nd person I spoke with and so called manager )  XXXX. I have attached the so called official letter that was only emailed to me. I have not received any previous correspondence from XXXX XXXX.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation