Consumer complaint received 2016-04-19
Company: Frederick J. Hanna & Associates, P.C. (closed)
State: GA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card
Issue: Improper contact or sharing of info
Sub-issue: Talked to a third party about my debt

Complaint:
BACKGROUND : The debt opened in XXXX in the name of XXXX XXXX. In business from XXXX, due to loss of business, reduction in income and increased expenses, our last payment was XXXX XXXX. We took proper action to close - sent letters to creditors, state & federal agencies & posted in the paper. On XXXX I was informed by the original creditor, XXXX XXXX, that the debt now in my name was charged off in the amount of {$1800.00} on XXXX, however, while past due & membership/annual fees are no longer assessed, interest still accrues at 24.9 % ; thus new balance as of XXXX is {$3200.00} & also informed that the debt was with XXXX. On XXXX we called XXXX & they referred us to Frederick J. Hanna & Assoc. We called XXXX office the same day and left a message for XXXX XXXX that we could only pay {$5.00} per month due to our financial hardships. I sent a fax on XXXX w/ my authorization for XXXX to speak w/ my consumer advocate XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Finally, we received a letter from XXXX XXXX of XXXX XXXX confirming payment terms for {$5.00}. On XXXX I sent a letter to XXXX XXXX accepting the terms and understood that my account would be drafted the {$5.00} on XXXX and expected a reply. After not hearing from XXXX, on XXXX I sent a letter to XXXX XXXX with a {$5.00} check # XXXX which was cashed. On XXXX XXXX I received a letter dated XXXX that they would deduct the {$5.00} on XXXX. The {$5.00} was deducted on XXXX XXXX. I never had any interruption since then with the payment arrangements. With our social security checks we can not pay anymore than {$5.00} although at XXXX time I tried to settle this debt with XXXX & they declined, delayed responding, acted as if they were attys. Every month since the agreement XXXX sends a payment reminder. On XXXX I received a reminder letter from XXXX of the next payment of {$5.00} would be deducted automatically on XXXX. There was no other comments or notifications on this letter. On or about XXXX I received a letter from a debt collector/attorney XXXX informing me that the servicing of account with XXXX XXXX has been transferred to their office. I neither received any assignment or notification from XXXX XXXX nor from XXXX 's office. In addition, XXXX and XXXX advised me on XXXX that they would be withdrawing {$5.00} as scheduled on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX. THIS ACTION IS UNAUTHORIZED. I did not authorize XXXX & XXXX to deduct funds from my account of {$5.00} or any amounts. Furthermore, I did not give my personal and financial information directly nor indirectly to XXXX, nor did I give authorization to XXXX XXXX or XXXX to share information with a third party. Also to note that XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. has been under investigation for a number of years with the CFPB for deceptive collection practices and finally agreed to a fine of {$3.00} XXXX see XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX. It is interesting that based on how attorney debt collector Frederick J. Hanna & Associates has shared my financial information including my bank account, and social security number with another law firm, XXXX XXXX XXXX, who are also named principals in the CFPB investigation & lawsuit - that through the recent actions against me they have violated their order to cease and desist these bad and deceptive collection practices. All these years, with many credit card accounts referred to and handled by XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX, including lawsuits, my complaints I previously filed with the XXXX and the CFPB went upon deafened ears. It is clear that XXXX and XXXX & XXXX continue to act in a deceptive manner including those representatives that acted like they were attorneys when they were n't. Please help me stop the identity theft and duress and stress caused by them

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation