Consumer complaint received 2020-09-30
Company: Army and Air Force Exchange Service
State: GA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Collected or attempted to collect exempt funds

Complaint:
I do not have the dates as this was some years ago, but will try. That information can be obtained. AAFES/MILITARY STAR Account NumberXXXX Account TypeCharge Card ResponsibilityIndividual Date OpenedXXXX StatusPaid, Closed. {$2600.00} written off. 
Status UpdatedXX/XX/2017 Balance- Balance Updated- Recent Payment- Monthly Payment {$0.00} Credit Limit {$6100.00} Highest Balance {$4100.00} TermsNA. ( XXXX ) XXXX AddressXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX ... I bought items from the AFFEES store at the XXXX XXXX base in XXXX, XXXX. I asked because I am 100 percent XXXX that workers come and assemble my bed. They did so and broke it, along with stress cracks and damaged it. I also received a BBQ grill that was dented. I called an attorney to ask advice. He said, send them a letter, asking to repair or replace the items. The Store Manager refused to help me or replace items. As a result a demand letter was sent that I would stop payment in 30, days IF they refused to mediate. They refused. Military Star representatives then demanded I pay or else they would garnish money from me, which they did. They took an average of XXXX, a month from my Social Security Insurance without going to court and getting a judgement I was threatened, in a nice way that if I did not pay, my credit would be ruined. I stated that they needed to take me to court and get an judgement, which they and I knew, would have brought up concerns of Fraud, fraud in the inducement that precluded the contract was void by their actions. Knowing this they chose to act like Rico, to put my under duress and force me to make payments, ignoring my rights in this country to be heard in a court room. Consumers I was told by the State Attorney Consumer protection lawyer in XXXX XXXX, Nv. Said to me, there is just to much wide spread cronyism in the country. This came up while I was there and frustrated, so I reached out to that office about this matter. In concert the 3, credit agencies, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX  are complicit, in that they ignore the rights of the consumer. Many times I have disputed this saying, No Judge issued to me any notice or obligation to pay on this debt. I was never contacted to go to court to defend my position. Therefore, they have violated the Fair Trade credit Act, as well. In another matter, I did go to court and was told to pay the person that I was challenging. I did, and for over a year or more even after paying off that debit., it was reported as derogatory. This is what XXXX does, IE : Rico act and duress. In addition, my debt to Military 's Star is now past 7, years. Federal laws state that debt should fall off my credit reports automatically. I will not be forced to pay someone when they have legally broken the contract and the law tells me to do, ( Exactly ) as I did, I followed a good attorneys ' advice and do not believe these people who wanted me to pay for broken or damaged goods have any leg to stand on. 

I reached out to the Treasury Office Inspector General. XXXX XXXX Representative, stated treasury put a lien on my social security insurance benefits. Treasury offset program collections must be resolved with the entity or agency that holds the debt. It would appear that you have already contacted Military Star Card and have filed a complaint with the CFPB. I hope that they will help you resolve this matter. Office of Counsel, Us department of the Treasury, and the office of the Inspector General. I spoke to them on the phone today they agreed creditors can not garnish federal benefits. Monies were removed from my SSI benefits which are protected by the federal law. XXXX representative talk over disceral diatribe denial knowledge that benefits can not be garnished stating US Treasury is removing the money which US Treasury says as denoted in the first paragraph collection must be resolved with the entity or agency which is XXXX collections that holds the debt. Treasury agrees they have no authority to take my money. XXXX   defends bad paper rules written by Military Star Card they may garnish wages. I contest that may only apply to active service members not XXXX veterans the federal law protects or exempts certain funds or benefits from garnishment. Several years ago, XXXX representative applied that they would destroy my credit or hurt my credit if I did not let them take money from my XXXX again violation of federal law and fair-trade credit act, failed to obtain judgment before reporting myself as owing the debt. Refusal to accept letter written by attorney of myself under the rules and the laws of the fair credit trade act of 1970. Attempted to place me under duress to require or force me to make payment.

Please see US to Repay Veteran 's in Debt Case, XXXX XXXX XXXX, by XXXX XXXX XXXX.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation