Consumer complaint received 2022-01-28
Company: Wator & Associates, P.C
State: IL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was result of identity theft

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX, I received the paperwork in the mail summoning me to court on XX/XX/XXXX for XXXX XXXX at the XXXX County first district circuit court. With case number XXXX. It has been a surprise for me, because I did not have a credit/loan account with XXXX  XXXX XXXX prior to two years ago. I never took out a credit card, but according to the paperwork, there was a judgment for {$1100.00} + court costs. According to the paperwork I am to pay {$2200.00} Plus future cost and future interest. I contacted the lawyers office, and ask for XXXX XXXX who signed off on the paperwork, but according to the office located at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. and XXXX XXXX Illinois, XXXX XXXX no longer works outside of that office. I contacted the office on XX/XX/XXXX around noon, and I was promised a call by Friday once the file is looked into. I also called once again around XXXX XXXX, because I wanted to understand the citation to discover asset form. It looks like the only exception is a hardship of some sort, where I would be receiving some type of benefit from the government or state. And it also asked about personal assets. I never had this account. I believe I was summoned couple of years ago XX/XX/XXXX and I was confused. Now Im even more confused, because now there are threats to take my assets for an account that is not owned by myself or anyone close to me that I know of. I never had a XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX credit card. I currently have both a checking and savings account, and I had a credit saver account. I knew that this credit union would be able to help me build my credit. I never benefited from the credit funds on the card in question. Now I have a restriction with my credit savers account at my credit union that held Both a Savings and checking account. I had a checking and savings account with the XXXX but never had the credit card. I would like to see paperwork signed by myself with my ID number and whatever else needed to start the credit card application. I attended my court appointment on Thursday,, via XXXX at XXXXXXXX XXXX. I communicated that the debt does not belong to me due to fraudulent opening of the credit account. On the Asset discovery document sent to me, I disclosed that I had a savings & checking account with XXXX XXXX XXXX Bank. I opened my XXXX XXXX XXXX Account a couple years ago. I was curious to know if I could get an account because I thought that only people that work in certain companies/organizations could get a credit union account XXXX I also was curious as to what bank I allegedly had an account. Upon entering the XXXX location, I was talked into getting a checkings/saving account with the union, and later my XXXX XXXX Loan three times closed XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, and XX/XX/XXXX since opening the savings/checkings account. At my court date, Attorney XXXX and I talked about the debt. The attorney assured me that the Asset document only asks about car ownership information for data collection purposes to ensure that the Defendent is not a liar. He also stated that cars are typically not seized. Attorney XXXX also told me that the debt was not going away, even after 7 years. The firm reserves the right to reopen the case, he stated. I dont understand why this information was given, cuz considering that I submitted a Fraud Affidavit to the firm on Wednesday, XX/XX/XXXX in the evening. I was also asked if I had done my taxes last year. I do not know what this has to do with assets and a fraudulent debt. The debt allegedly belongs to me and I dont claim the debt. I never opened the account. Im fighting to prove that. I did submit proof of collection exemption such as Section 8 proof with a $ 51.00/month utility stipend. Also, I am a recipient of foodstamps/EBT. I also receive Medicaid insurance. I am currently not employed. Attorney XXXX told me that they were going to review the documents received before our next court appointment.

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