Consumer complaint received 2015-06-27
Company: Collection Bureau Services, Inc.
State: MT
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
Collection Bureau Services, Inc., XXXX MT XXXX has been reported by me to the Montana Attorney General's Office for fraudulent practices for XXXX since the XXXX of the year levying on my husband's pension which is exempt from levy by Montana law.  Even though we told XXXX" in XX/XX/XXXX that it is protected and provided proof via bank statements, he again levied on XXXX pension in XX/XX/XXXX, denying us access to our money for about a week before it was, again, refunded.  XXXX attitude with me on the phone was disrespectful and antagonistic, stating, "You'll get it back."  He very rudely and in a mocking tone stated, "Good BYE, XXXX!!!" and abruptly hung up on me. I called back and spoke to his supervisor who placated me and repeatedly asked, "Is there anything else I can do for you today?," obviously not intending to help me or counsel XXXX in any way.  He said that he sits XXXX feet from XXXX desk so he witnesses everything XXXX does.  It made me wonder if XXXX get's his commission for these illegal levies even though they must be refunded.  XXXX of the Consumer Protection Division of the Montana AG's Office has assisted me in filing a formal complaint against them.  There has been no response to the letter XXXX office sent them weeks ago, and they have committed yet another unethical if not illegal act by arbitrarily adding a debt to our account without proper notice that is not ours.  The paperwork they possess clearly states as such.  When I asked "XXXX two days ago to tell me what debts the bill he sent me in the amount of XXXX represented, he listed XXXX legitimate accounts we ended up facing collection for when our business went under in XX/XX/XXXX and we have been unable to.  The balance he is collecting from us of XXXX was for a debt incurred by the prior owner over 18 months before we bought the property, and a judgment was entered on the prior owner in XX/XX/XXXX, which is 13 months before we bought the property from her bank in a short sale.  The paperwork Coll. Bureau Services, Inc. has in their hands regarding this debt clearly states the prior owner's name, XXXX.  When I disputed the arbitrary addition of this debt to our account, XXXX stated, "You were served with a summons and complaint on this," to which I said, "No.Never. This is not our debt and the judgement on it, which is obviously much later in time that the debt was originally incurred,  precedes our ownership of the property by 13 months." He continued to argue with me, stating, "The debt followed the business, so it is your problem. It has been added to your account."  I asked when it was added, because I had not seen anything on it until it became a part of the XX/XX/XXXX statement, and he responded, "Your title company found it when they were preparing your title policy in XX/XX/XXXX and reported it to us." I spoke to the title company (XXXX) and she was adamant that they seek debt information FROM the Coll. Bureau and NEVER share information about debts with them.  She was very agitated by XXXX misrepresentation of our situation and said she would follow up with Coll. Bureau Services, Inc. I reported this XXXX fraudulent act by "XXXX" of Coll. Bureau Svcs, Inc. to the AG's office, and XXXX is filing an addendum to our original complaint. He urged me to file a complaint with the FTC and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as well.  He believes legal counsel is needed at this point and referred us to Montana Legal Services, as we are unable to afford counsel at this time due to having to file bankruptcy to maintain control over the sale of our business. I sent XXXX" a letter asking for verification of this debt to begin the process of having him remove it from our account.  XXXX

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