Consumer complaint received 2019-03-21
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: GA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Threatened to arrest you or take you to jail if you do not pay

Complaint:
On XX/XX/2019 a guy called my daughter asking for me, told her it was important that he speak to me because I was being served Wednesday the XXXX between XXXX to XXXX on a civil matter. Once I got the message I called the number back. He told me they were asked by Bank of America to take legal action over a XXXX balance I had with them from XX/XX/XXXX and basically I could pay the balance or take my chances in court, which could triple what I owed. I explained that I didn't even know I owed it, that I went in XXXX and paid 230 something that I owed and the account was closed. He claimed I still owed money so I agreed to a payment schedule, the first payment would be due XX/XX/XXXX for XXXX. I gave him my card number and he told me he was sending me the agreement for me to sign. The next day I was still livid that bank of America was coming after me for a debt I paid, tripled the amount and waited 13 years to collect .... So I called Bank of America directly. According to the debt recovery department, they were not pressing legal action, said they sold my account in the early XXXX and that I did have a balance but it was only XXXX and some change. I then looked up the number of the company I was given to call them, XXXX had it marked as suspicious. I opened my email again from them to see what information was included but there wasn't very much. I checked out the XXXX website, saw someone else complaining about the same company and had almost the same experience as me. I looked into some things and read where companies have to provide a debt validation form. I then called my local courthouse to see if they ever had papers to serve me, I was told no. I contacted the company back, now afraid I was being scammed and had already given my card number, and asked for a debt validation. I also explained my concerns to the lady who answered and told her who all I had already contacted about this matter. She told me they didn't have to provide me anything other than the form they emailed asking for permission to take my money. After a brief disagreement, she put her manager, XXXX XXXX, on the phone. I explained everything again and told him I have no problem paying a debt I owe but know a lot of people are being scammed out money so was asking for a debt validation form. Again I was told they were not sending me anything and that by law they don't have to. I got off the phone with him, cancelled my card and proceeded looking online to find out if this company is legitimate or not. I ran across don't a website that had mentioned consumer finance protection and that's how I found your site. The manager claims he works for the dispute resolution center in XXXX Texas. I looked online and went to the .gov website and contacted them directly. Nothing about thus guy or his company seems legit but I would like to know for sure. The form the company sent me said that payments would be made by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX .... I have even contacted them and am waiting for a response. The numbers I was given to contact them are XXXX and XXXX. Can someone please look into this company to see if they are legit. I am XXXX, I suffer severe XXXX so being threatened to be taken to court and being served and all the mess he freaked me out over was a horrible experience but to be denied proof that I even owe the bill they claim I owe should not ever be allowed. I'm sure I've left out some details but I hit the main points

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation