Consumer complaint received 2019-05-22
Company: NowackHoward LLC
State: GA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Told you not to respond to a lawsuit they filed against you

Complaint:
The Homeowner 's Association where I live is notorious for corrupt accounting and deceptive practices to secure liens. They openly harass homeowners and potential buyers/tenants who they feel interfere with their agenda. The debt collection firm they have hired ( who is also the employer of a board member who controls accounts ) has wrongfully garnished an exempt account of mine, costing me a lot of money even though it had to be reversed. The firm file suit against me without any notice nor was I properly served notice of the complaint. In XX/XX/XXXX A default judgement was entered against me because I never had a chance to dispute the amount claimed. After I became aware of the default judgement I contacted the firm to inform them I never received notice. I also stated that I disputed the amount they claimed was due. There were bogus fines and fees that were never explained nor did I receive notice of them. I was told by the lawyer at the firm that they would not pursue execution of judgement and I could start a payment plan. I stated I would make payments after I received an itemized statement of my account with an explanation of fees and fines that I did not recognize. I have never received the statement or any explanation of fines/fees. I made several payments towards the correct amount that I owed. I informed the firm that I was selling the property as soon as possible so that the account could be paid in full. I continued to receive bogus fines and fees added to my account without any chance or avenue to dispute them. All of my requests to have the debt validated or itemized have gone ignored. After I placed the property on the market, members of the HOA board and their debt collection firm began harassing potential buyers. The cars of potential buyers were towed, they were kicked off the property while viewing the property, and were even given details about the debt they claimed was owed. This went on for about a year. They interfered with every attempt I made to sell the property and pay off the correct debt on my account. I finally secured a sales contract to sell my home this past XX/XX/XXXX. I notified the firm that I needed a payoff statement as I had a buyer and wanted to close on the property asap. stated that I disputed the fines icthat I did not recognize. I sent this to them in writing. Several emails were sent between the firm and myself indicating that we were in negotiations for a payoff amount. As I negotiated with them they pursued execution of their judgement through a sheriff 's levy of my property. They pursued this process deceptively while engaging me in negotiations and leading me to believe that the account would be settled as soon as I closed the sale on my home. It became quite obvious that they stalled for time to levy my property deceptively by engaging me in fraudulent negotiations. Once I became aware of the levy I contacted the office in charge of the levy sales in our county. I was informed that a notice had been left on the door of my property the week before. It was obvious that someone removed the notice so that I would not be able to dispute the sale. Why would the debt collection firm and the HOA wait 2 years to execute a judgement deceptively? Right after they became aware that the sale of my home was about to close? They did this because they did not want payment to settle any debt. They wanted to take the property equity and huge profit margin. They made the move to seize my property before anyone else could purchase it. They still have yet to validate the debt or allow me any chance to dispute it. They have dealt with me deceptively and fraudulently, causing me to lose my home.

Company public response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation