Consumer complaint received 2016-08-03
Company: Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLP
State: TX
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Taking/threatening an illegal action
Sub-issue: Threatened arrest/jail if do not pay

Complaint:
I am writing to you to plead for your assistance regarding the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( HCTRA ) in XXXX, Texas, primarily regarding toll violations and specifically regarding the law firm Linebarger, Goggon , Blair & Sampson, LLP, a collection law firm for HCTRA. 
I have toll violations in the amount of {$530.00}. I discovered that these violations occurred when my card HCTRA had on file became invalid. When I found out the amount I knew I would n't be able to pay them until I received a paycheck. I had just begun working as an XXXX XXXX and I was also scheduled to start receiving social security benefits. 
I lost my son in an accident in XXXX XXXX, and then became unemployed in XXXX XXXX. I had a total XXXX XXXX XXXX in XXXX. I had no funds coming into the household. My daughter and her family moved in with me to help me recover from the XXXX and pay living expenses. Having no source of income during this time, I would have lost my home and my vehicle if not for their help. 
The reason for the heavy XXXX use starting in XXXX was because in the first weeks of XXXX, I had numerous trips where I used the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and the XXXX XXXX XXXX. I was unaware that my card they had on file was invalid. ( I had not used the toll roads often prior to XXXX ). Therefore, I acquired the toll violations. 
I assumed that once I received a paycheck, I could go the XXXX store and easily resolve this matter. After all, I had been an XXXX customer for over 19 years without ANY previous issues! It should be a " piece of cake ''. 
XXXX XXXX, XXXX was the first day I was available to go to the XXXX store. I spoke to a representative and she informed that my account had been turned over to a collection law firm, Linebarger, Goggon , Blair & Sampson, LLP. She indicated that she could not assist me there. And told me that my violations incurred were totaling {$530.00}. 

On XXXX XXXX, XXXX, I called Linebarger, Goggon, Blair & Sampson, LLP. I waited " on hold '' for 57 minutes before I could speak with someone. I set up a payment plan that day. The balance that was due was {$530.00}. I paid {$120.00} that day and agreed to pay {$100.00} per month until XXXX XXXX. 
I made the next payment on XXXX XXXX, XXXX, for {$100.00}. Once again I held on the line for about 40 minutes. In XXXX I called to make a payment on the XXXX. This time I held on the line about 30 minutes before I decided to hang up and call the next day to make the payment. I forgot to call back the next days and when I realized that I had missed the payment I did n't have the money to make the payment. I planned on paying twp payments in XXXX. 
Several days later after missing the XXXX payment, I received a letter from Linebarger saying that I now owed {$910.00}! I was shocked to say the least. The balance at this point should have been {$300.00}. 
I called Linebarger about the letter and this time I held for only a few minutes, I was told I had to speak to my account representative, XXXX. ( I held for him for 30 minutes ). Once he was on the line I asked him why the letter I received said I owed {$910.00}. He said I that did not honor the payment plan and it was cancelled and that is what I owed now. I asked if I could make a payment that day and set up a NEW payment plan, He said no. I offered to pay the balance that I should have owed of {$300.00}. ( Even though this would have put me in serious financial straits He said no, that I owed {$910.00} plus another fee had been added of ( I think ) {$2.00}. I told XXXX that I was an XXXX and not being able to use the toll roads was hindering my employment and costing me money. He said that was basically my problem in so many words and said he could not do anything to help me. I pleaded with him to please help me resolve this situation

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