Consumer complaint received 2015-05-01
Company: Walter Lee & Associates, LLC
State: NM
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Improper contact or sharing of info
Sub-issue: Talked to a third party about my debt

Complaint:
In 2010 I purchased an XXXX alarm system with monthly service. I purchased the equipment and paid to have it installed and paid the initial monthly service charge. However, the system never worked. I called XXXX immediately and they stated that it would cost {$50.00} minimum for a technician to come to the house. I explained that it was a brand new system which their technician had failed to properly install but they refused to waive the charge. I cancelled the service immediately and told XXXX that I wanted to know if I could return the equipment ( which I already purchased ) for a refund but I was told that the equipment was not returnable. I do not have a functioning alarm system. XXXX, unknown to me continued billing me for monthly service. The bills were sent to an incorrect address and so I did n't receive them. When I realized that XXXX was still billing me, I informed them that I did not have any service with them. The debt was transferred or assigned to a third party collector, a New York lawfirm, Walter Lee & Associates, LLC. I have been in contact with the company and they have my current contact information in XXXX XXXX, XXXX, including address, phone number and email, and the company has contacted me successfully through all of these. The collection attorney tried to bill my debit card for the disputed debt, but I have cancelled that card. When they called to inform me that the card was declined I informed them that I disputed the debt and that I would not pay for service I did not receive or agree to pay for ( recall that I cancelled the contract when they would not waive the service fee back in 2010. See above. ) They stated they would sue and it would negatively affect my credit. After consulting an attorney, I decided that having the matter decided through litigation was preferable to paying based on empty threats from Walter Lee & Assoc., LLC. I have requested a copy of the XXXX contract, as well as the relevant billing correspondence and any account summary in Walter Lee & Assoc. LLC 's possession. I was horrified to learn that today, Walter Lee & Assoc. LLC called my sister, who lives in XXXX with her husband XXXX children, XXXX Walter Lee & Assoc., LLC left a message on my sister 's cell phone that I had defaulted on my " debt '' with them. Neither my sister nor any other family member was a co-signer for the XXXX account, or involved in any way with the transaction. I do not even know how Walter Lee & Assoc. LLC obtained my sister 's phone number. I believe the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibits this type of conduct by third party debt collectors. Walter Lee & Assoc., LLC is not, to my knowledge, a licensed attorney or a licensed collection agency in XXXX, which is where I entered into, and CANCELLED, the XXXX contract. I still have not received the contract, correspondence and account documents that I requested from Walter Lee & Assoc., LLC and I would like them to cease and refrain from contacting my family ever again. I have notified them of this demand and that I filed this complaint. XXXXy

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation