Consumer complaint received 2022-01-19
Company: Merchants and Medical Credit Corporation, Inc.
State: MI
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
I was appointed as a stand in representation for XXXX XXXX for a criminal case that resulted in his incarceration. On XX/XX/XXXX, I was asked to pursue legal representation for XXXX XXXX by his immediate family. In keeping with that, I consulted attorney XXXX XXXX 's office about retaining legal services for XXXX XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX 's office was retained, with the agreement that once XXXX XXXX was released, he would stand in agreement for his own criminal actions and all financial liability associated with the case, and thus he did. On or about XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX was released and scheduled to meet with attorney XXXX. At that time, all legal responsibilities and agreements were signed and delivered solely to XXXX XXXX. On or about XX/XX/XXXX, I received a call from a debt collector ( M & M Collections XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, MI XXXX ), requesting payment for a delinquent sum of {$4300.00} be paid in full. I was completely oblivious to the sum of this amount and then the representative informed me that the amount reflects balances owed for legal services rendered by XXXX XXXX for XXXX XXXX. I informed the representative that these fees are in fact those of XXXX XXXX and that I've never been represented by XXXX XXXX. I contacted the office of XXXX XXXX to discuss as to why I'm being held liable for the outstanding balance of {$4300.00}, and his secretary, XXXX XXXX informed me that this was because of the " Engagement Agreement '' I signed on XX/XX/XXXX. I informed XXXX, that XXXX signed an " Engagement Agreement '' on or after XX/XX/XXXX after he was released from jail and that the previous agreement was supposed to be destroyed by their office. She then took my phone number stated she would return my call, and never did. I called back countless times, only to get the voicemail of the office, leaving messages with noone to return my calls. After weeks of calling the office, I again set out to speak to someone pertaining to this mix up and the false reporting of a {$4300.00} delinquent payment to a collection agency. When I got XXXX, on the phone this time, she informed me that she would look into their collection and office files for said documents and then return my call, still noone had returned my calls. On XX/XX/XXXX, I went down to XXXX XXXX 's office located at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX, MI XXXX, to further discuss this error. Upon arrival I was met by XXXX, and explained my concerns for improperly reporting a delinquent balance to a collection agency in the amount of {$4300.00}. She then attempts to look through her computer as to search for the missing document ( s ) in question. I reiterated our initial contact on XX/XX/XXXX and our contact again on XX/XX/XXXX after XXXX was released and scheduled a office visit with attorney XXXX, when the transfer of liability was signed, and another payment was made by XXXX XXXX, she of course was clueless to either of those encounters. I then attempted to refresh her lackadaisical memory, as she nonchalantly scrolled through her computer files in search of said document ( s ). She then replied, " I don't see it in my office or collection files, and asked, do I have a copy. I informed her why would I have a copy of a document that does not pertain to me. I then quickly interjected that the form with my signature ( from initial contact on XX/XX/XXXX ) was supposed to be destroyed and the new document signed into effect on or about XX/XX/XXXX should be enforced. Again, she looks to me and says she doesn't see it in her system, which can easily be manipulated by deletion. I then asked her for a copy of all the paperwork she had on file, but she declined to oblige as she could only give me documents with my name on them, which would only be the initial engagement agreement, which is null and void. It also bothers me that I don't have access to information pertaining the case, but this office seeks repayment of delinquent payments assigned to me, very unethical practices at this firm. To further speak on this firms unethical practices, many people/clients ( both known and unknown ) who have used their services, are in agreement that the Law Offices of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX than professional. XXXX XXXX, assured me that the original agreement would be destroyed when myself and XXXX XXXX left that office on or about XX/XX/XXXX. As I can see it, this is a disgraceful attempt to hold someone accountable for an unpaid debt by malicious use of false documentation and unethical practices. I do not have a copy of the resigned document initiated on or about XX/XX/XXXX, I didn't even know this debt had been maliciously added to my credit profile until as of recently. I do not know the whereabouts of XXXX XXXX as he skipped state on all of his responsibilities at both local and state levels. I've only made two payments to the office, one was an initial payment for {$1000.00} dated XX/XX/XXXX and one subsequent payment for {$500.00} dated XX/XX/XXXX, these funds were sent to me by his elder brother who lives in XXXX, Illinois to retain legal representation for XXXX XXXX, thus after being released ( on or after XX/XX/XXXX ) XXXX would then take full responsibility for his affairs, thus we did. All payment records after initial deposit payment of {$1500.00}, will reflect sole ownership of debt paid and invoiced by/to XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief