Consumer complaint received 2023-12-27
Company: Collection Bureau of Walla Walla
State: OR
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Threatened to sue you for very old debt

Complaint:
XXXX year old medical debt that collection company XXXX  bought yet have another collection company walla walla collecting for them. Walla walla is difficult and unwilling to work work me or help at all. 

Have a judgement for this debt, walla walla filed garnishment against me over XXXX  years ago which I got them to drop because of lack of communication after not even knowing they were collecting for XXXX  as I hadn't been getting any correspondence for several years about debt after moving back to XXXX. Then suddenly they sent letter threatening legal action which I thought collection companies weren't allowed to do. I ignored it because I didn't even know they were collecting for XXXX as I wasn't informed all those years. They filed garnishment. Was dropped, didn't hear anything again for almost XXXX  years. XXXX  year mark on judgement was coming up, thought I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. Then coincidentally before XXXX  year mark, I get paperwork via regular mail with judgement extension filed and granted and another garnishment shortly after. 

I contacted them via email, explained things and my situation about how I can not afford a garnishment being on a single income and supporting XXXX people/rent and that I would end up losing apt . Vice president responded telling me to call another person yet she is vice president. I deal with XXXX  and panicked trying to call. After consulting with online lawyer, I sent payment plan proposal and initial payment offer via certified mail and fax. Didn't hear anything until I emailed. After having to ask when I would hear back about my offer, was simply told " we won't stop garnishment ''. No offer back/offer to work something out, no sympathy no nothing at all. My message back asking why they were unwilling to work with me/help went un answered which was back in XXXX, XXXX emails sent to president of walla walla XXXX ( found his email online after quick search ) got no replies either from him and I know emails went through as they were not returned. So ignored as they were probably tired of hearing from me basically begging them to drop garnishment/help! 

Almost {$700.00} being taken a month from my hard earned money, already struggling and havent been able to pay bills/rent on time. Honestly not even worth being at my job anymore on my feet all day in and in pain to have so much of my money taken for a very old debt. Half amount owed is all interest and not even original debt. I was informed collection companies buy debt for very little usually so mostly are making profit when collecting. All over XXXX I had to have and still XXXX  years later trying to come after me. This is why sadly people now have to choose between getting medical care they need and probably ending up with a debt or skip getting care and suffer. Have received over {$1300.00} from garnishment.

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