Consumer complaint received 2017-10-27
Company: Columbia Recovery Group LLC
State: WA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Threatened to sue you for very old debt

Complaint:
My husband and I both received phone calls from XXXX XXXX @ Columbia Debt Recovery XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX on our cells phones today as well he called my husband at work. I spoke with XXXX XXXX today @ XXXX who informed me we had an outstanding debt with our previous landlord. We moved XXXX XXXX, XXXX. XXXX XXXX claims they just received our file in their office on XXXX XXXX, XXXX and documentation was mailed to our home address " 10 days ago '' per XXXX XXXX. Please note our address is XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, WA XXXX. XXXX XXXX proceeded to tell me that we owe this debt, that it was a verified debt and that if I did not make payment/settlement arrangements prior to the end of this phone call that he would proceed with legal action against us. I asked XXXX XXXX about getting the documentation so that we could verify the debt and dispute it, however, he said " I have no control over the mail and this was mailed 10 days ago. '' Again, I stated we did not get said documents and that I do not have control over the mail either and that I believed there were laws, or rights that we had 30 days to dispute the debt once we received it in writing. XXXX XXXX indicated he could not give me legal advice and again threatened me with legal action/ '' I will sue you immediately '' if I did not make arrangements with him prior to hanging up the phone today. I felt violated and threatened and his demeanor was very upsetting on the phone, whenever I asked a question. Basically, I felt like I was forced into an arrangement, which I repeatedly stated I had no idea I owed and that I could not afford the arrangements he was demanding. In other words, he was bullying me into make a decision, that I clearly ( if you listen to the recorded phone call, he claims to have ) was not comfortable financially and mentally speaking with XXXX XXXX and in making such arrangements. He indicated that this would hurt our credit scores and immediately after we paid the balance in full, he would indicate the debt was paid in full and our credit scores would go back up. I would like to file this complaint, for him threatening me with legal action, without giving me justification of the debt in writing and allowing me time to get representation and disputing the debt. I feel like his tactics are bullying, threatening and morally not right. I wish I could have had an attorney call him, but he stated " if you do n't work with me today, I will immediately push this into litigation today. '' I am not sure how I could have defended myself. He did indicate he would email me a promissory note that both my husband and I needed to sign and return to him no later than Tuesday XXXX XXXX and that I must reply with the word confirmed in order for this to be a valid payment arrangement. I have not done so yet, as I was too upset about his demeanor with me on the phone. 
Thank you in advance for your time.

Company response to consumer: Untimely response